King Arthur

Nefret · Post by **Nefret** » Wed August 7th, 2013, 10:17 am

There was only a book thread for this. (I was also watching a documentary.)

What is your favourite film/ mini-series of the legend?

annis · Post by **annis** » Wed August 7th, 2013, 10:03 pm

Excalibur, hands down! Though there were possibly one or two too many dramatic rides to the wonderfully stirring music of Carmina Burana.

DianeL · Post by **DianeL** » Wed August 7th, 2013, 11:34 pm

Hee - annis, NO SUCH THING!

I'd probably vote Excalibur too, at least as a sentimental favorite. I don't have fond memories of the Sam Neill Merlin, but that scarcely had Arthur in it so that is probably not a germane data point, just a personal kvetch. I didn't mind Clive Owen's outing, but it really never has "read" for me as an Arthur story, just an adventure.

annis · Post by **annis** » Thu August 8th, 2013, 4:24 am

I agree about the Clive Owen King Arthur- it felt more along the lines of post-Roman British historical than Arthurian (The Eagle, Centurion etc) I did love that reconstruction of Hadrian's Wall, though.

I did watch the Starz TV series Camelot which looked promising and had heaps ofatmosphere, but somehow never quite fulfilled its promise. Wasn't too surprised that it didn't make it past Series One.

I liked the movie Tristan and Isolde which even managed to transcend the usual James Franco impersonation of a handsome lump of wood

DianeL · Post by **DianeL** » Thu August 8th, 2013, 10:51 pm

annis, good one - I liked Rufus Sewell/Mark in that particularly (as a performance, not as eye candy!). Always had a soft spot for Franco too. The film can be a bit portentious or silly, but if you're in the right mood, it's spiff.

When I was a kid, the mid-century historicals and Camelot the musical were probably partially responsible for helping to shape my interest in histfic.

First Knight left me cold and I've never seen it since renting it in the mid 90s.

And, of course, Monty Python's "Grail" is delicious.

Nefret · Post by **Nefret** » Fri August 9th, 2013, 6:36 am

I liked the Clive Owen King Arthur movie when it came out. It's entertaining enough, and Galahad is fun to watch. Liked First Knight, but it was missing two of my favourite characters. Haven't seen it in years, but I remember Excalibur being kinda odd, with lots of shiny armour.