This unusual take on the legends surrounding King Arthur finds Merlin the sorcerer of Britain manipulating King Uther’s (Gabriel Byrne) desire for a Duke’s wife, Ingrayne (Katrine Boorman), to ensure the birth of a son who will become King Arthur (Nigel Terry). The story progresses with Arthur's pulling Excalibur from the stone and his subsequent marriage to Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi). However, when Lancelot (Nicholas Clay) joins the Knights of the Round Table, a strong connection develops between him and Guenevere. Simultaneously, Arthur’s half-sister, Morgana (Helen Mirren), is scheming for an incestuous relationship in order to produce a son named Mordred. The screenplay for this well-regarded 1981 film, written by John Boorman, draws from Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur," which was published in 1485. The Arthurian tales are presented as an allegory of birth, life, decline, and rebirth. As a result, the movie feels like a collection of myths and is structured in episodes. For instance, the introduction of the Round Table happens abruptly. Similarly, around the ninety-five minute mark, the narrative shifts to focus on the Knights’ quest for the Holy Grail, featuring a knight previously unmentioned. The plot doesn't consistently hold your attention because it feels disjointed. The central portion focusing on Guenevere and Lancelot's affair and its consequences is arguably the strongest part of the film. I found the initial thirty minutes to be somewhat confusing in terms of storytelling, so using subtitles would probably help with understanding the accents and keeping track of all the unfamiliar names. The search for the Holy Grail during the final forty-five minutes disrupts the movie’s flow because it seems like an afterthought. Despite these shortcomings, there's still a lot to appreciate if you can overlook the over-the-top performances, the melodrama, and the episodic format. There are several positives worth noting, including: the stunning natural landscapes, the fairytale castles and sets, the creative costumes (such as the armor), the appealing female characters, and the vibrant colors. The musical score, which prominently features Carl Orff’s “O Fortuna” and pieces by Richard Wagner, is also noteworthy. You can spot a young Liam Neeson in his role as the knight Gawain. The biggest problem is that the story lacks forward momentum. If you're looking for a more grounded portrayal, films like "First Knight" (1995) and “King Arthur” (2004) might be better choices. The film has a running time of 2 hours and 20 minutes and was filmed entirely in Ireland. GRADE: B-/C+

Source on TMDB