Posted: 11/29/2006 3:30:37 PM EDT
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Yeah that Excalibur. Man what a great movie. I pray they never remake it. Sure there were other films about Arthur but I feel this was one of the best movies of any movie ever made. A little dated but the acting was great and the way they filmed it, it caught all the little things that make it memorable. The clangs of weapons, the misty hot breath of the horses, the blood, the mud etc.. I think its the only movie I can watch with the sound off and still enjoy it. That happened once when the sound was out on my cable and I didn't care, the movie was that good. Anyone else chalk that up as one of their favorite movies of all time? Favorite parts or quotes? Mine -When Arthur tells Mordered that the only thing he can give him is his love as a father. The person who played Mordered was perfect. The hate and contempt for his father was acted out so well in the short reply. I guess its the look on his face and the way he spits out "That is the ONLY thing of yours that I don't want" ETA someone made a kick ass trailer Excalibur trailer |
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Saw it on the big screen when it came out (geeze, it's been 25 years ago?). Also have a copy on tape, need to get the DVD. Soundtrack also. Kinda neat spotting familar faces, like Liam Neeson as Gawain, Patric Stewart (Cpt Picard!) as Leondegrance, & Clive Swift (Richard, the long suffering husband on Keeping Up Appearances) as Sir Hector. <eta> The soundtrack roxxors! Wagner! 
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wasnt it Orff, not Wagner? from Carmina Burana |
didnt the guy who played Uther Pendragon also play the devil in End of Days? |
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It was both Orff and Wagner. Depending on what theme. The "singing" when Arthur comes riding back at the end is Orff, most of the rest of it is Wagner. (When Arthur is taken away by the three "saints" at the end is Wagner) The rest of it is original score. I found the soundtrack on Ebay and it is awesome. |
Its been a long while since I've listened to the soundtrack......WTF could I forget Orff? O Fortuna is perfect music for mayhem! Makes you want to grab your battle axe or sword & kick some ass!   Non original music on the soundtrack: Wagner, "Siegried's Funeral March" from Gotterdammerung Orff, "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana Wagner, "Tristan & Isolde" Wagner, Overture to "Parsifal" |
Nicol Williamson was the PERFECT Merlin. Why is it that I thought it was Max Von Sydow for years and years, though?  Oh well...he did a great job in any event."A dream to some......A NIGHTMARE TO OTHERS!" I'm surprised nobody's using that as his sig line. I so want to nail the Lady in the Lake!  The reciting of the Spell of Making by Morgana is one of those movie moments I'll never forget.
CJ |
Here is the first couple of minutes to get you in the mood. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPjsO5i8RmU&search=Excalibur |
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Pretty much a darn perfect movie in my book, and definitely in my Top 5. First of all, IMHO, the reason its so good is because its dated, dated in a good way. All old school special effects, no CGI, no computer crap, just good solid, realistic special effects. The actors were all great in their roles. The sound track is spectacular! The movie made me fall in love with Wagnerian Opera...of course, the Overture to Parsifal is especially fitting, as Parsifal is the Tale of the Grail Knights.......Siegfrieds Funeral March is the perfect ending.....and O Fortuna, Oh my! if that doesn't get you as they ride and the country re-awakens and becomes a live again as they ride, man, nothing can get you..... The battles were great, vicious, barbaric, hack and thrust, no pirouetting heroes making like gymnasts.... The settings were perfect, lush and green and beautiful. The armor was great, especially when the knights were in their polished armor! Truthfully, I don't think any other past, present or future movie based on Arthurian legend will ever come close.... |