King Arthur on Big and Small Screens
The neoPlatonist's favorites, listed alphabetically.
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- StarsOliver TobiasMichael GothardJack WatsonCelts fighting among themselves and the Saxons in 5th century Briton after the Roman pullout.No magic in this down-to-earth version, but the acting makes it watchable.
- DirectorJoshua LoganStarsRichard HarrisVanessa RedgraveFranco NeroThe story of the marriage of England's King Arthur to Guinevere. The plot of illegitimate Mordred to gain the throne and Guinevere's growing attachment to Sir Lancelot, threaten to topple Arthur and destroy his "round table" of knights.Great musical version of the story.
- DirectorMichael KerriganStarsSylvester McCoySophie AldredJean MarshKnights from a parallel universe arrive on Earth to find the legendary sword Excalibur. Only the Doctor and Ace with the assistance of Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart can save the Earth from total catastrophe.Together with Parts Two, Three, and Four. A weird slant on the story, with Arthurian knights from a parallel earth turning up on our earth and recognizing the Doctor (i.e. Dr Who) as Merlin. Which it seems he is, in a future he hasn't yet experienced.
- DirectorJohn BoormanStarsNigel TerryHelen MirrenNicholas ClayMerlin the magician helps Arthur Pendragon unite the Britons around the Round Table of Camelot, even as dark forces conspire to tear it apart.In the neoPlatonist's opinion, the best version we've ever had. Nicol Williamson's Merlin is awesome.
- DirectorRichard ThorpeStarsRobert TaylorAva GardnerMel FerrerKing Arthur's rule is threatened by the adulterous love between Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere, a relationship the king's enemies hope to exploit.A bit stodgy but it has nostalgic value; I remember vividly from my childhood the final battle caused by that wretched snake.
- DirectorJerry ZuckerStarsSean ConneryRichard GereJulia OrmondLancelot falls in love with Guinevere, who is due to be married to King Arthur. Meanwhile, a violent warlord tries to seize power from Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.Not wholly successful, but has its moments, with a wonderfully evil "Malagant" (i.e. Mordred).
- StarsSam NeillHelena Bonham CarterJohn GielgudLegendary wizard Merlin tells his story of his war against Queen Mab of the Sidhe and his creation of Camelot.Very zappy version: magic everywhere.
- DirectorBen BoltStarsCyril CusackCathryn HarrisonJeremy SindenFriar Tuck saves a young woman from being attacked in the forest and brings her back to the outlaws' camp. In the middle of the night, the woman wakes Robert and identifies herself as the daughter of his godfather, Lord Agrivaine, explaining that the two of them, alone, must go to him at once at Caerleon Castle. In Caerleon, the dying Agrivaine explains that he is leaving Robert a great inheritance, but in order to get it, he first must defend it - for, as they speak, a group of robbers and villains is approaching the castle, determined to steal its treasure.The Arthurian episode from the GLORIOUS Robin of Sherwood.
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanClyde GeronimiDavid HandStarsRickie SorensenSebastian CabotKarl SwensonA poor boy named Arthur learns the power of love, kindness, knowledge and bravery with the help of a wizard called Merlin in the path to become one of the most beloved kings in English history.Disney version of the first book in T.H.White's wonderful "Once and Future King" cycle.
- 1985–1989TV-PG6.4 (302)TV EpisodeDirectorPhilip DeGuere Jr.Jeannot SzwarcStarsVictor GarberStacey NelkinJeff Morrow"A Day in Beaumont": Scientist Kevin Carlson and his fiancée Faith can't get anyone to believe that they saw a flying saucer land. "The Last Defender of Camelot": Lancelot is summoned by Morgan le Fay to meet with the wizard Merlin, who plans to restore Camelot.The Last Defender of Camelot is a rather endearing tale, with good performances by Richard Kiley and Jenny Agutter.