Siskel n Ebert gave it 2 thumbs 👎 ....just imagine. Love since I saw it as 15 yr old in theater with my friends. Story line is a mess but it's just magnificent and sentimental with amazing score.
Saw it in a theater as a Kid, it was awe inspiring. The Soft focus is a little annoying but excellent film regardless. It actually got me to read about Arthurian legend, & appreciate some classical music that I nevee would have otherwise!
There are some silly bits though. E.g., there was no such thing as plate armour in Arthurian times, and even if there was you certainly wouldn't wear it at a dinner table. Men wore proper clothes at public functions.
"Good and Evil there is never one without the other" and he immediately looks at Morganna. Merlin was always dropping hints and wisdom, Arthur never was quick enough to pick up on it.
'We have the greatest knights in the land wearing full plate armour, a wizard, a sorceress and a sword forged by a God. What do you have?' '...Crossbows.' '...Riiiiiiiiiiight.'
I never knew Master Qui-Gon was part of the round table. Lol this movie was such a wonderful treat. I never knew about it before and I'm glad I was curious to watch it. With all the movies done today, it all seems soulless to me, and thought of watching old films instead.
What a movie! Helen Mirren, Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, and Patrick Stewart. And these weren't even the main characters. And yes Helen Mirren was super hot in her youth. Was always one of my top films ever.
nah: the one with sean connery and richard gere is far better. It had a certain wisdom and elegance. I esp like when sean says: "God makes us strong for a while only: so we can help each other"🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
it's the best adaptation of Le Morte d'Artur. Other movies just take the names of the characters and do whatever. Including Monty Python (even though its hilarious).
Just pointing out, at this point in the movie Lancelot and Guinevere actually haven't committed adultery. Lancelot is resisting his attraction which is why he stays away. Guinevere is telling the truth when she says "I protest my innocence." They don't shag until later in the movie
Yes, they were both attracted to each other but both resisted. Guinevere only fell to her lusts after Arthur refused to defend her honor as because he is king, he must be a judge in the duel. Lancelot did defend her honor. This made her see that Arthur will always be her king above being her beloved and in a way broke her heart. Had Arthur taken up the blade, or Lancelot not shown up to defend her honor she would have resisted her desires and remained faithful. This entire sequence of events was engineered by Morgana who first implanted the idea of Guinevere's infidelity in Gawain's mind just prior to this scene. It was part of her plan to destroy Arthur and Merlin in revenge for Uther, Arthur's father, killing her father and tricking her mom into spending the night with Uther to conceive Arthur.
"My lord, what shall we wear to the evening's feast?" "We shall wear our full battle regalia" "The full plate sire??" "in all it's glistening glory..."
00:54 Good and Evil, there never is one without the other. Merlin looks directly at Morgana and the camera smoothly switches from Merlin to her. Brilliant stuff.
That dejection and countenance of Gawain upon the Kings decree to find Truth in a duel with Lancelot is impressionable and provokes great empathy. The heart of the knight is sorely missing these daze in the land of the confused without a king, and our lands show it. Such greatness may be embodied but not easily put into words. Art thusly and by being Good.
Welcome to, “Why are they wearing suits of armour at dinner and Helen Mirren is hot!” comment section. Lol. Love this movie. Could watch it over and over. And have!
@@nandofim Your preference is a fallacy. For there to be good, one must know what is evil. What is improper. What is wrong. What is unjust. If you don't know that much, you'll never have good.
The final answer is that good and evil must exist together, but one can greatly outweigh the other. In our preset times, evil outweighs good. Far into the future, however, good may greatly outweigh evil.
I see most people seem to have the same reaction I had - "why are they wearing full suits of armor to eat dinner?" Too funny. It's impossible to get past it. Liam Neeson's hand isn't trembling because he is upset - it's because his arm is too heavy with armor to hold it up!
My wife and I rewatched this last night. Merlin was warning Arthur of sooo many things in passing but he didn't notice. It wasn't until the betrayal by Lancelot and Guineverre that he realized what his mentor was telling him all those years ago. In this scene he is literally standing behind Morgana when he talks about where evil hides. D'uh Arthur read between the lines mate!!
wow, a beautiful Helen Mirrian, young and tender hearted, it seems to me she became a tiny bit more hard hearted decades later. and Liam Nieson at a younger age also.
I want to say that Helen Mirren ages like fine wine, which she does, but no matter what age she has ever been, she always looks just as gorgeous and I’m madly in love with her, she always looks like an angel
I mean, this is basically 'traditional literature gone fantasy' - the product of a time when that genre was so omnipresent, every studio would give money for a somewhat philosophical mainstream fantasy project sooner or later (especially in combination with a period piece like the King Arthur legend). On the other hand, it's also hilarious to watch ... and astonishing, once you realise how many upcoming actors starred in it, about to become British treasures and Hollywood A-listers! For example, it is interesting that Mirren and Neeson started dating and living together after Excalibur!
Quite a few big name actors now that played secondary roles in this movie. Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart. I wonder if they ever saw past this movie and wondered if they would leave any British movies behind. Liam Neeson also was in an 80's movie called Krull. Played the strong silent type in that one
I took a gorgeous redhead to the drive in to see this when it first came out. When ever Helen was on screen I kept staring at Helen. My date got annoyed. Its nice to know they dressed for dinner. Can you imagine eating dinner in full armor? God just going to loo would be a quest.
@@chooseyourpoison5105 The knights of the round table are like brothers, and the plate armor means that they are not only brothers but brothers IN ARMS. Arthur later says that the broterhood of arms is a moment that will not be forgotten, and so this moment will be again in the future. This is very true nowadays, as the West is attacked every day. But West will prevail and shine again, because West is brotherhood of arms.This is the meaning of this scene.
@@mickele77 Yeah, no. Pretty sure that a 1981 movie was not intended as a commentary on 2024 international politics 🤣 I think you might have dislocated something with that reach
This is the worst I’ve seen Liam look. Is there a reason why they’re wearing armor for dinner? And King Arthur really flicks his head around a lot when he speaks. Now I must watch this film to gain these answers. 😮
The 80s produced a large portion of Perfect Movies. THIS is obviously one of them. Others include Back to the Future, Robocop, Terminator, Night of the Comet and so forth...
It's almost as if Merlin foresaw the drama that was about to unfold... "Yo, I'mma bounce real quick!" lol He even planted the seed for it. Poor Gawain, did what he was told, spoke his mind freely and found himself plunged into a duel for his life. Not great governorship, Arthur.
Who is here from the Graham Norton clip with Liam Neeson to check how beautiful she looked
Yep. Came to check out Dame Mirren, stayed for the bad looping.
She's still BEAUTIFUL
Oh my god I just did that now ahaha
OOO Fu*#!!!
Guilty as charged, and I wasn't disappointed!
This film gave America its first taste of Helen Mirren, Nicol Williamson, and Liam Neeson. World class casting!
Earliest thing I seen Patrick Stewart in as well
And Gabriel Byrne
@@smichelle65 YES!!!!!!!!!
And Ciaran Hinds
And PAtrick Stewart!
My favorite movie of all time. I can just about quote the entire thing word for word.
This movie is absolutely incredible. I have been watching it for 35 years now. And still love it.
Take a 5 minute break at some point, got to stretch your legs
@@mikiex Hahahha nice one.
It’s timeless.
Siskel n Ebert gave it 2 thumbs 👎 ....just imagine. Love since I saw it as 15 yr old in theater with my friends. Story line is a mess but it's just magnificent and sentimental with amazing score.
Saw it in a theater as a Kid, it was awe inspiring. The Soft focus is a little annoying but excellent film regardless. It actually got me to read about Arthurian legend, & appreciate some classical music that I nevee would have otherwise!
OMG Helen Mirren is so beautiful. Even now she has a look about herself that is timeless.
she had no children, she was a useless idiot
she is still beautiful
@@thelonewolf1894it’s not just her looks. There is a captivating presence about her. It’s present even in her younger years.
I love the voice and emphasis that Nicol "Merlin" Williamson uses when delivering his lines.
That Scottish accent!
Arthur should believe Gawain because he has a very particular set of skills.
Yes....about 28 yrs prior to becoming a action Hero as a senior citizen.
According to him, back then he would have pointed to Sir Palomides.
Yes, the skill to fumble a lightsaber, allow in a child that would one day destroy a republic, and lose to a 2nd rate Sith apprentice.
LOL! Indeed
😂
the set design,cinematography,costumes..all next level. Best King Arthur movie hands down.
There are some silly bits though. E.g., there was no such thing as plate armour in Arthurian times, and even if there was you certainly wouldn't wear it at a dinner table. Men wore proper clothes at public functions.
@@Hastur876 Were historical accuracy all that the filmmakers were after, they wouldn't have been able to create this masterpiece.
Don't forget about that soundtrack.❤
"Good and Evil there is never one without the other" and he immediately looks at Morganna. Merlin was always dropping hints and wisdom, Arthur never was quick enough to pick up on it.
lol and one second later Morgana doesn't look guilty at all
Like when he literally said" and the friend who will betray you"
Always…where you never expect it…always
MM
True, the balance of life
An underrated gem. My dad introduced me to this when I was a kid in the early 1980s. Even then I realized how gorgeous Mirren was.
Yep me too... Also flash Gordon.... The princess in that..... Ahhhh... Happy days.
My Father too.i try to revisit the movie for the memories
"Where hides evil." " Always where you never expect it. Always."
Family
That's why you don't allow women at the Round Table... ;°)
Always those close to you are the ones that betray you.
If that ain't the damn truth
“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”
-Michael Corleone
And this was right after Liam Nelson and his friend saying f*** after seeing her come out of her trailer.
That friend was ciaran hinds...
Yeah I bet their lightsabers instantly extended on their own
@@deevee5348 He is in this to. Thats him to the left of Liam, you also see him earlier in the castle fight, he has some words to.
Still pretty much my reaction everytime she graces my screen.
she didnt accuse him of mansplaining
See, these guys would've never fallen for a Red Wedding scheme; equipped for every possible situation. XD
@but why I always 'ated crossbows. Take too long to load!
'We have the greatest knights in the land wearing full plate armour, a wizard, a sorceress and a sword forged by a God. What do you have?' '...Crossbows.' '...Riiiiiiiiiiight.'
@@MegaAshWilliams And Sir Twenty Goodmen
Merlins wig cap is everything!
Marvel 616 Canon Marvel UK.
*Begone foul temptress!*
We now know what got Qui-Gon kicked off the Jedi Council
Jedi....tsk tsk... Always sticking their fully extended lightsabers into places they shouldn't
@@mmsizzlak LOL 😂 from Dare To Speak
He was always defying the council!
@@lewstone5430 He probably tried to warn them about "where hides evil".... where they least expect it!
I expect obi won to show up saying hello there
Helen Mirren was sheer perfection as Morgana, the Sorceress!
I'd let her turn me into a newt, if you know what I mean.
Smokin
@@Hastur876 A newt?!
That sound effect when they pass the cup around hahaha the 80's were awesome
It´s not the cup. It´s the armours articulations. By the way...who the hell sits to eat with the armour on????
I never knew Master Qui-Gon was part of the round table. Lol this movie was such a wonderful treat. I never knew about it before and I'm glad I was curious to watch it. With all the movies done today, it all seems soulless to me, and thought of watching old films instead.
Yep that's how he became a jedi.
Don’t forget Captain Picard (or Professor X, if you prefer)
He was also in a relationship with Helen Mirren at the time.
This is easily the best Arthurian movie ever made, you won't be disappointed.
What a movie! Helen Mirren, Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, and Patrick Stewart. And these weren't even the main characters.
And yes Helen Mirren was super hot in her youth. Was always one of my top films ever.
still the best King Arthur movie ever made!
Without a doubt.
nah: the one with sean connery and richard gere is far better. It had a certain wisdom and elegance. I esp like when sean says: "God makes us strong for a while only: so we can help each other"🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
Disagree. Best King Arthur film was Monty Python and The Holy Grail.
nope
it's the best adaptation of Le Morte d'Artur. Other movies just take the names of the characters and do whatever. Including Monty Python (even though its hilarious).
Honestly my favorite version of the old myths
YES. I remember this movie being born 1980. Characters from 80's always stand out for me
I searched and searched....and saw no empty halves of coconuts in the film.
John Boorman had a generous budget for this film...
Living in the Caribbean I used to watch this dubbed in Spanish. Still a great classic
I love the Arthurian legend, I love John Boorman, and I love this movie, and now I want--no, I NEED--to see this movie AGAIN!
This movie is a dream to some…a nightmare to others!!!!
Can’t you see, all around you, the Dragons breath?
I love the pause when Guinevere delivers the line "Partake of [Lancelot's] goodness." Just the subtlest confession of guilt.
Just pointing out, at this point in the movie Lancelot and Guinevere actually haven't committed adultery. Lancelot is resisting his attraction which is why he stays away. Guinevere is telling the truth when she says "I protest my innocence." They don't shag until later in the movie
@@chooseyourpoison5105 Both of them secretly lust after each other, however, and that's their guilt.
@Foober Dooge no. They were just friends.
Also, I may have partaken . . .
Yes, they were both attracted to each other but both resisted. Guinevere only fell to her lusts after Arthur refused to defend her honor as because he is king, he must be a judge in the duel. Lancelot did defend her honor. This made her see that Arthur will always be her king above being her beloved and in a way broke her heart. Had Arthur taken up the blade, or Lancelot not shown up to defend her honor she would have resisted her desires and remained faithful. This entire sequence of events was engineered by Morgana who first implanted the idea of Guinevere's infidelity in Gawain's mind just prior to this scene. It was part of her plan to destroy Arthur and Merlin in revenge for Uther, Arthur's father, killing her father and tricking her mom into spending the night with Uther to conceive Arthur.
"My lord, what shall we wear to the evening's feast?"
"We shall wear our full battle regalia"
"The full plate sire??"
"in all it's glistening glory..."
this is pure gold. LOL
In this feature, they even make love in full sets of armor (e.g. Uther). Wearing them at the dining table is hardly a stretch.
This is not their battle armor, this is their formal evening armor.
Indeed should not be very comfortable to eat in full plate.
They didn't even have articulated plate armour in Arthurian times. It would have been a chainmail shirt and padding underneath.
00:54 Good and Evil, there never is one without the other. Merlin looks directly at Morgana and the camera smoothly switches from Merlin to her. Brilliant stuff.
One of the greatest scenes from one of the greatest films of all times. Thanks, Movieclips, for posting it here.
Gawain was the most honest and courageous. Others were naive fools
That dejection and countenance of Gawain upon the Kings decree to find Truth in a duel with Lancelot is impressionable and provokes great empathy.
The heart of the knight is sorely missing these daze in the land of the confused without a king, and our lands show it.
Such greatness may be embodied but not easily put into words. Art thusly and by being Good.
I still like this magnificent movie with extraordinary cast. So classy legend.
Take a Seat. Young Qui-Gon.
Take a sip Young Skywalker
Helen Mirren was hot!
Its hard to see room for improvement. She was just dazzling then.
Hellen Mirren *IS* hot. FTFY 😁
Thank you, good Sir Obvious!
Freddie Shanks she still is
Morgana every time!
Welcome to, “Why are they wearing suits of armour at dinner and Helen Mirren is hot!” comment section. Lol.
Love this movie. Could watch it over and over. And have!
Yes, Helen Mirren was hot. They wore the armor to protect themselves from the heat she radiated
They are not really wearing their armor, that is just one of Merlin's minor illusion spells.
Was thinking the same two things myself 😂
Because armor looks cool, it's called production design and cinematography, sheesh do I have to explain EVERYTHING?
had to delete my comment after I saw this🤣
I am 100% here for CIARAN HINDS. I’ve never seen this, I was born in 79’. If y’all recommend it, then I will watch it. 😊
I’ve studied film for 20 years, this is the finest !
"Always." True indeed. Lets stay positive though. That's just the way it is. Merlin warned him earlier. That's life.
'Good and evil there is never one without the other.'
'Evil.... always were you never expect it always.'
Merlin
Excalibur (1981)
I'd say more good and evil need to exist in balance one needs the other such as all things in life
LOL I prefer that there is only good and there is no evil.
@@nandofim Your preference is a fallacy. For there to be good, one must know what is evil. What is improper. What is wrong. What is unjust. If you don't know that much, you'll never have good.
The final answer is that good and evil must exist together, but one can greatly outweigh the other. In our preset times, evil outweighs good. Far into the future, however, good may greatly outweigh evil.
.....without Lancelot, THIS TABLE IS NOTHING!!!!
Sir Gawain begins acquiring a very particular set of skills along his career.
King Arthur wouldn't look out of place in the Bee Gee's.
Or in Star Wars. I mean, Excalibur is not a light sabre, but it's close. o_O
He would fit in with the Village People.
@@ADAPTATION7 lmao
It was the early 80’s, they were still recovering from the 70’s. XD
😂
“Where is evil then?”
*the dog turns and sniffs Morgana*
Possibly the greatest British movie that's ever been made. Really something special.
Irish to be exact.Location in Ireland with most of the cast and production team.
damn Nicol Williamson, what an actor you were
I see most people seem to have the same reaction I had - "why are they wearing full suits of armor to eat dinner?" Too funny. It's impossible to get past it. Liam Neeson's hand isn't trembling because he is upset - it's because his arm is too heavy with armor to hold it up!
😂😂😂
May be the only silly scene in an otherwise spectacular film.
I think it fits with the tone of the movie. It isn't supposed to be realistic, its a larger than life epic fantasy tale.
My wife and I rewatched this last night. Merlin was warning Arthur of sooo many things in passing but he didn't notice. It wasn't until the betrayal by Lancelot and Guineverre that he realized what his mentor was telling him all those years ago.
In this scene he is literally standing behind Morgana when he talks about where evil hides. D'uh Arthur read between the lines mate!!
Arthur: Where hides evil then in my kingdom?
Merlin: Always..........where you never expect it. Always.
I love how ominous he sounds there.
Three betrayals: A betrayal of blood, a betrayal of love, and a betrayal of honor.
I truly enjoyed this movie.
wow, a beautiful Helen Mirrian, young and tender hearted, it seems to me she became a tiny bit more hard hearted decades later. and Liam Nieson at a younger age also.
Omg Helen Mirren is so pretty in her youth!
She was 36 there
Still pretty.😉
Cant believe this footage has survived all these years.
I still love this movie and remebernit as a kid.
I want to say that Helen Mirren ages like fine wine, which she does, but no matter what age she has ever been, she always looks just as gorgeous and I’m madly in love with her, she always looks like an angel
Agreed. :) She makes me swoon so hard!
Why did I forget about this classic
The director’s daughter played Arthur and Morgana’s mother, Igraine and his son played young Mordred.
I mean, this is basically 'traditional literature gone fantasy' - the product of a time when that genre was so omnipresent, every studio would give money for a somewhat philosophical mainstream fantasy project sooner or later (especially in combination with a period piece like the King Arthur legend). On the other hand, it's also hilarious to watch ... and astonishing, once you realise how many upcoming actors starred in it, about to become British treasures and Hollywood A-listers! For example, it is interesting that Mirren and Neeson started dating and living together after Excalibur!
Helen Mirren started dating herself?
@@TheSighphiguy 😂😂😂 Dear, how did I end up typing that?! 🙈 I meant, Neeson and Mirren of course. Thanks for the hint!
Wow...imagine Helen Mirren in her prime in 2019
every scene is amazing
I like that they’re eating in full armor
When the tuxes are out being dry cleaned, whatcha gonna wear? Full body armor, of course!
If only Lancelot were played by Ray Park. What a duel that would have been...
Damn, Dave Grohl and his “new” band are awesome.
LMAO
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Still the BEST film about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
LOL, Liam Neeson...'I KNOW WHERE!'
I wonder what was written on the parchment with the dinner invitation: Thou shalt wear thou shiniest, most uncomfortable armour.
Talk about formal dining. Everyone is in battle armor while having dinner.
I got to say the knights armour in this movie is both majestic and brutal at the same time!
I love this film, it's Heavy Metal magazine meets Henry V
Ha, that’s an adequate summation.
Fun fact: Lancelot's cup was named Guenevere, and it got passed around as much as the queen.
Quite a few big name actors now that played secondary roles in this movie. Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart. I wonder if they ever saw past this movie and wondered if they would leave any British movies behind. Liam Neeson also was in an 80's movie called Krull. Played the strong silent type in that one
Gawain must have felt some deep relief afterwards, when it was just Lancelot and not Gregor Clegane on top of him.
One of my favorite movies
I took a gorgeous redhead to the drive in to see this when it first came out. When ever Helen was on screen I kept staring at Helen. My date got annoyed.
Its nice to know they dressed for dinner. Can you imagine eating dinner in full armor? God just going to loo would be a quest.
I love everyone in this movie and this was a great movie I wish they showed it more on TV🤟🤟🤟🥰😍🤩🖥😁💛🧡💞💓💗💖💝
all the folks commenting on them wearing full, mirrored plate armor to supper dont have a CLUE as to what this movie was all about.
I get that the shiny armour is supposed to symbolise something. Purity? Honour? Anyone who can tell me?
@@chooseyourpoison5105 The knights of the round table are like brothers, and the plate armor means that they are not only brothers but brothers IN ARMS. Arthur later says that the broterhood of arms is a moment that will not be forgotten, and so this moment will be again in the future. This is very true nowadays, as the West is attacked every day. But West will prevail and shine again, because West is brotherhood of arms.This is the meaning of this scene.
@@mickele77 Yeah, no. Pretty sure that a 1981 movie was not intended as a commentary on 2024 international politics 🤣 I think you might have dislocated something with that reach
@@chooseyourpoison5105 Ok. I gave you the answer, but instead of saying "thank you" you choose to complain, you russian muslim!!
@@mickele77 LOLOL I'm a New Zealander atheist, but thanks for the compliment anyway 🤣
Very underrated film
BAR NONE ABSOLUTELY THE BEST MOVIE telling the story of King Arthur.
I beg to differ. Merlin (1998) is of the same quality of story and acting, I believe.
Damn Helen Mirren was HOOOOOOOOT in her youth
Still is ;)
What do you mean 'was'? She's aged really well! 😀
Youth? She was 35 here. But yeah...hot.
yes ... and check her out in Savage Messiah (1972) ... a small part including a nude scene
Hot in her youth? Dude, she's still hot now . . .
Imagine if the director Boorman had directed Lord of the Rings?
This is the worst I’ve seen Liam look. Is there a reason why they’re wearing armor for dinner? And King Arthur really flicks his head around a lot when he speaks. Now I must watch this film to gain these answers. 😮
Gotta love their formal dinner attire.
It's considered bad manners to wear your suit of armor to dinner.
"For no knight who is false, can defeat one who is true."
The Mountain and Viper enter the chat ....
The thing is, Lancelot falls after defeating Gawain in the duel. So in fact the duel of honor did do its job of revealing the truth in the end.
@@cherylhulting1301 Yes, but not in a way Arthur's court would have recognised.
''Trial by combat Sir Gawain and your openent shall be Ser Jaime Lannister, I mean Sir Lancelot'',
Full armor for dinner?!?! Jajaja
LOL! Eating dinner in shiny, eye blinding full armor?
Never happened!
I forgot about this movie! ❤
I luv this movie... tiz the only movie I know all the lines... Dame Helen Mirren, such a gorgeous lady...
Seeing this still gives the chills.
What does it get you the chills??
Are you still getting the chills?
@@lewstone5430 damn you stone was in a moment.
I remember seeing this in 1981. The movie, Helen Mirren and the soundtrack using Wagner, mesmerized me.
The 80s produced a large portion of Perfect Movies. THIS is obviously one of them. Others include Back to the Future, Robocop, Terminator, Night of the Comet and so forth...
Why are they eating dinner in armor? Lol.
Can't be very relaxing.
I love the cast
A thumbs up for Cleocatra! May she reign for all time!
And Cherie Lunghi as Guinivere.
I fell in love with her as a kid after watching this movie. Such a beauty
i had no idea who helen mirren was (as hot) before this
Very underrated movie.
Have this on DVD and watch it frequently
1:55 - boy you better sit down. that's Liam Neeson you're jumping up on.
@Brent Taylor Art this was well before he acquired those ''PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS!'' so we can forgive our boy KING!
Liam was still green at that moment.
It's almost as if Merlin foresaw the drama that was about to unfold... "Yo, I'mma bounce real quick!" lol He even planted the seed for it. Poor Gawain, did what he was told, spoke his mind freely and found himself plunged into a duel for his life. Not great governorship, Arthur.