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Excalibur
Excalibur
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Excalibur

Excalibur

1981
Drama, Fantasy
2h 20m
Another retelling of the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Directed by:

John Boorman

Screenwriter:

John Boorman, Rospo Pallenberg, Thomas Malory

Starring:

Gabriel Byrne, Helen Mirren, Nigel Terry, Corin Redgrave, Patrick Stewart, Liam Neeson, Nicholas Clay, Cherie Lunghi, Paul Geoffrey, Nicol Williamson, Robert Addie, Keith Buckley

Genres:

Drama, Fantasy, Adventure

Countries:

UK, USA

Language:

English
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Excalibur

1981
Drama, Fantasy
2h 20m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 55.29% from 1586 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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paxtonPaxton
Rated 23 Jun 2014
84
81st
Sword and sorcery was really cool when I was like seven. All the way up until I was fifteen. Then continued on into my early twenties. Didn't really stop at thirty. Sword and sorcery is really cool.
Rated 23 Jun 2014
barthalenBarthalen
Rated 24 Jan 2018
70
55th
There is a lack of humanity/emotion in Excalibur that keeps the viewer at a distance, but at the same time it's refreshing to watch a fantasy epic without soulless CGI but with real actors in metal outfits trudging through mud and water. Would've loved this as a kid, witchy Helen Mirren would've done things to me (and likely made me go all goth-y in my teens). Chrome-dome Merlin was a highlight and O Fortuna makes any scene feel like a life-changing event. All in all, flawed but enjoyable.
Rated 24 Jan 2018
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 16 Nov 2007
40
3rd
A cheesy, badly acted acted movie. I wouldn't exactly call the visuals very good, but they are interesting and the underlying story is quite good. Unfortunately it's badly told and the movie is full of ill-conceived scenes that make it impossible to take this movie seriously.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
xacviantxacviant
Rated 01 Oct 2013
91
94th
John Boorman's take on the Arthurian legend is stunning: raw, often unpolished, with the characters simplified to an operatic degree (which is only heightened by the use of Wagner and Carl Orff), it looks and sounds smashing--the production design, Alex Thomson's glowing cinematography, and Trevor Jones' thunderous score are united by Boorman's joyously bold vision. Nicol Williamson's wonderfully ironic Merlin and Helen Mirren's silky, venomous Morgana are the standouts in the huge cast.
Rated 01 Oct 2013
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 22 Mar 2010
90
83rd
A film with great atmosphere that does an astonishingly good job of telling the whole story of the Arthurian legend in a little more than two hours. This is a pagan Britain, and Merlin--memorably played by Nicol Williamson--is clearly in charge. Helen Mirren is very good--and very lovely--as Morgana.
Rated 22 Mar 2010
doctor7doctor7
Rated 28 Feb 2010
73
57th
This was one of my favourite movies in my youth. Sadly looking back it really doesn't hold up as much as I would have liked. The cast is mixed in terms of quality as some actors are superb and others are merely "OK." Historically, and mythic, accuracy is certainly tossed aside for a more entertaining account of King Arthur and his knights. Still it's great to see some of the visceral combat between two men fully decked in plate mail.
Rated 28 Feb 2010
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
95th
I've seen it dozens of times, but the scene of the knights riding in full armor past the fields of cherry blossoms to the strains of classical music still gives me goosebumps EVERY time. This is the best screen version of the Arthurian Legend.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
kasperlKasperL
Rated 03 Jan 2021
50
29th
Quite bizarre.
Rated 03 Jan 2021
florvdeFlorVdE
Rated 19 Nov 2019
2
39th
Amazing that this came out six years after "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". At least Nicol Williamson and Helen Mirren as Merlin and Morgana seem to be somewhat in on the joke. Still worth seeing for their scenes + the stripped down visceral battle scenes and the visual poetry of the images.
Rated 19 Nov 2019
feraudFeraud
Rated 29 Dec 2014
54
36th
Just weird, with some highlights.
Rated 29 Dec 2014
ag0stomesmerAg0stoMesmer
Rated 24 Sep 2014
4
91st
Arthur as a Cornish Forrest Gump and a general lack of character and flow are just some of the very bad things about it. Despite it's problems it's really good fun. Hugely melodramatic, rich costumes, symbolism and dream-like visuals match the bombast of the Wagner and O Fortuna-heavy soundtrack. http://goo.gl/XA5ytW
Rated 24 Sep 2014
montycircusMontyCircus
Rated 15 Mar 2013
40
38th
Great cast...right? But the worst acting I've ever seen in a feature film. I don't know why it's so highly spoken of...I guess people are really starving for Arthurian legend flicks...
Rated 15 Mar 2013
lakefxdanlakefxdan
Rated 28 Dec 2009
75
20th
Overblown and gaudy, with an infamous fully-armored sex scene. Real knights didn't even walk around in theirs. Beautiful scenery and some sharp performances make up for failed narrative.
Rated 28 Dec 2009
icarusIcarus
Rated 22 Oct 2007
75
49th
Enjoyable if a bit hackneyed. The story and legend are what really drives this, and the visuals, especially of the greenery, are well done overall. I also liked the willingness to include, though not explain, certain mysterious elements.
Rated 22 Oct 2007
bronesbyBronesby
Rated 27 Jun 2024
30
7th
A gorgeous and grimdark dreamy backdrop... with some of the worst acting possible and a script that, were it a person, would be diagnosed with advanced dementia. Nothing makes sense in this film, though it would make for amusing ironic backdrop footage during some drug-addled festival event.
Rated 27 Jun 2024
brrrpbrrrp
Rated 19 Feb 2024
70
63rd
I can understand comparisons to Kwaidan but I think that would mainly highlight the shortcomings of this film. While I enjoyed the staginess of everything there was a feeling that it should be even more stylised, and much of it's emotional power is due to its selection of music by Wagner and Orff's O Fortuna. Otherwise it feels a bit cheesy particularly some of the acting, but Nigel Perry vaguely impressed with his exaggerated turn from witless page to noble regent.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
nefariousqNefariousQ
Rated 27 Jul 2023
85
70th
Amazing use of the practical effects of the time, as well as a healthy dose of Arthurian poeticism.
Rated 27 Jul 2023
exirelExirel
Rated 15 Apr 2023
8
91st
Low budget perfection.
Rated 15 Apr 2023
wardenWarden
Rated 25 Mar 2023
57
38th
Back then it was probably imaginative and original, but these days it's straight-forward, rushed yet overly long, and kinda generic, if entertaining and visually appealing.
Rated 25 Mar 2023
yamilvidalYamilVidal
Rated 30 Jan 2023
50
15th
Overacted... I don't give it a lower score for nostalgia
Rated 30 Jan 2023
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 24 Nov 2022
77
64th
A fun movie that oscillates between goofy in a fun '80s movie way and a little over-goofy. I was getting a bit antsy by the end of it--maybe a bit on the long side, but it's an energetically made movie with a ton of future huge and big names in it in smaller roles (Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Ciaran Hinds, Gabriel Byrne, etc.)
Rated 24 Nov 2022
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 21 Nov 2022
40
6th
Overwrought and miscalculated saga is not short on ambition – Boorman's clearly going full-bore operatic, with a thunderous musical score matched by opulent and ornate set and costume design. But he can never reconcile this with the generally flat and dull characterisations, as well as the widely varied performance styles, ranging from vicious underplaying (Mirren) to the hopelessly hammy (Stewart). Pretty to look at, but the conflicting stylistic decisions make this a slog to get through.
Rated 21 Nov 2022
darrenDarren
Rated 10 Oct 2022
78
71st
A slog in parts but lends into the dreamlike nature of the entire experience
Rated 10 Oct 2022
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 17 May 2022
40
18th
Stuffy and overacted. Did you see that Patrick Stewart performance? Woof. The action sequences are fascinating, as they are clumsy, but are probably also quite realistic. It's a sharp departure from a typical modern fantasy/action/adventure. The characterization is sparse overall. It is a nice encapsulation of the tales of King Arthur, but it's a paint by numbers that lacks flair.
Rated 17 May 2022
gamul1Gamul1
Rated 26 Nov 2021
95
95th
Excellent King Arthur film
Rated 26 Nov 2021
overratedoverrated
Rated 11 Nov 2021
61
64th
Excalibur is Zack Snyder's favorite film apparently. I don't know, that's at least a little bit hilarious.
Rated 11 Nov 2021
syntheseizurSyntheseizur
Rated 15 Jan 2019
41
5th
A shallow if visually poetic retelling of an already overexposed mythology with some mad TV movie energy. The Holy Grail section is a good mix of fantastic imagery and nuanced storytelling, but the rest is alternatingly over-the-top and dry with stop-start pacing, meager attempts at characterization, and dialogue that tries way too hard.
Rated 15 Jan 2019
countdownCountdown
Rated 03 Sep 2018
95
84th
Fantastic movie, one of my favourites.
Rated 03 Sep 2018
dyannethorneDyanneThorne
Rated 08 Jul 2018
49
32nd
The best thing I can say about this is that after watching it, you'll have an okay grasp of the legend af King Arthur. But by Merlin, is this stiff and operatic. Merlin seems to be starring in another (and much funnier) movie than everybody else. The female costumes are both WTF and cheaply done. And when they are following the source material so close, even including the weird grail stuff, why did they make Excalibur the sword in the stone (that particular error is a pet peeve of mine)?
Rated 08 Jul 2018
auhasarderikauhasarderik
Rated 13 Feb 2017
6
40th
Performances and story are completely flat, it plays like all the care here went to the visuals. They go a long way, but can't save this.
Rated 13 Feb 2017
marcovazquezmarcovazquez
Rated 31 Aug 2014
90
95th
O Fortuna as soundtrack. Enough said
Rated 31 Aug 2014
thehynesthehynes
Rated 19 Nov 2013
80
96th
A superbly fun retelling of myth and legend. Williamson is the best Merlin you'll ever see!
Rated 19 Nov 2013
gwulingwulin
Rated 25 Oct 2012
60
13th
Some very good scenes with great music, but can't hold that level through the whole movie, unfortunately. Merlin is really disappointing at times. Forget history, this is just hack and slash, with lots of blood, and sex in full armor!
Rated 25 Oct 2012
braddad68braddad68
Rated 16 May 2012
100
97th
Incredible! Sets the standard for all Middle Ages/Knight films.
Rated 16 May 2012
comepeliculacomepelicula
Rated 02 Feb 2012
90
96th
This movie is great, it is very well done with terrific scenery, very good acting and fantastic music. You have to scratch trough the surface to see all the metaphors and meaning behind this epic story, it gives you the whole tale about king Arthur and you can see why this myth is so popular
Rated 02 Feb 2012
mistersplicemistersplice
Rated 08 Jan 2012
65
51st
6 recommended
Rated 08 Jan 2012
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
70
40th
#604
Rated 30 Nov 2011
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 14 Nov 2011
70
17th
Pretty, but not inspired.
Rated 14 Nov 2011
kingofjewkingofjew
Rated 29 May 2011
74
59th
Boorman's 80 epic tale of king arthur and the sword Excalibur. A good atmospheric time piece with solid performances, and a solid script ( at times ) Certainly one of the most unique big budget movies of the decade, when all the big budget coming out was either sci fi or horror.
Rated 29 May 2011
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 21 Sep 2010
69
73rd
There have been quite a few attempts at the legend of Arthur, this one is the best. It doesn't really spend much time on the characters or motivations but it is still entertaining.
Rated 21 Sep 2010
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 15 Jan 2010
63
26th
741
Rated 15 Jan 2010
lphovercraftLPhovercraft
Rated 13 Dec 2009
71
63rd
Highlighted by lush photography and fine performances.
Rated 13 Dec 2009
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 20 Aug 2009
76
76th
Magnificently cheesy with a fun cast including Captain Picard, Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne. Excalibur tells the story very well, despite some pacing issues and a lack of character focus.
Rated 20 Aug 2009
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 30 Mar 2009
66
6th
thou will thinketh they maketh too many films on this subject....
Rated 30 Mar 2009
jasoo2jasoo2
Rated 15 Mar 2009
100
99th
A work of art without parallel in any medium. Biblical in its starkness, while visually sexual . A masterpiece so rich, so lush with dimensions as to embarrass every subsequent fool who's tried to treat the Arthurian tale in film. This flic distills and encompasses the most strident aspects of Western civilization altogether. It portrays the actual ethical basis for European male achievement, dominance, self-annihilation, and contribution to the world. Pay attention-- it's all there.
Rated 15 Mar 2009
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
55
10th
895
Rated 19 Dec 2008
tathieltathiel
Rated 11 Oct 2008
50
8th
Oh my goodness... a guilty pleasure... so bad it's good again^^
Rated 11 Oct 2008
irvinejumpirvinejump
Rated 10 Oct 2008
50
34th
Considered at the time to be the retelling of choice I suspect it's dated considerably, though I was never a fan in the first place
Rated 10 Oct 2008
rexrex
Rated 14 Aug 2008
100
96th
Every time I see this on TV, I can't help but sit down and watch it out. A beautiful (and realistically gory) telling of the Arthurian legend, with many excellent non-Hollywood actors.
Rated 14 Aug 2008
dean_franzDean Franz
Rated 18 Jun 2008
65
59th
A bit overlong and most of the good actors herein seem relegated to minor roles, but it has a visual flair that saves it, at least to a point.
Rated 18 Jun 2008
cestmoicestmoi
Rated 06 Jun 2008
85
72nd
Sentimental classic! Cheers to Mr. Mathers for showing it in English class, then hurrying through the rape scene all nervous-like. Fast forward! Fast forward!
Rated 06 Jun 2008
astralartistAstralArtist
Rated 04 May 2008
98
98th
This film is to the King Arthur legend what The Ten Commandments was to the Moses tale- a grandiose, comic book style retelling that is hugely entertaining. Very notable for featuring most of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre company's 1st string, including future film superstars Helen Mirren, Liam Neeson & Gabriel Bryne in support of (then) stars Nicol Williamson (Merlin), Nicholas Clay (Lancelot) & Nigel Terry (Arthur). Beautifully filmed, using the music of Wagner as its soundtrack. Magnificent.
Rated 04 May 2008
frederFreder
Rated 05 Apr 2008
45
31st
I thought this was smashing 'way back in 1981, but it hasn't aged all that well, aside from Nicol Williamson's canny performance as Merlin. Certainly better than any of the numerous lousy Arthurian movies that followed it.
Rated 05 Apr 2008
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 02 Mar 2008
56
29th
# 882
Rated 02 Mar 2008
warchildWarchild
Rated 22 Feb 2008
65
9th
I saw this in the theaters when it came out...when I was 13. If my mother only knew. :) Anyway, I tried renting it a few years back, and had to fast forward through it to keep from sleeping.
Rated 22 Feb 2008
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
60
39th
Looks good, but contains some bad acting and dialogue.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
servantdagonServantDagon
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
64th
Somewhat disjointed, but very enchanting tale of the Arthur-legend.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
77th
haven't seen this in quite some time but loved it when I did see it
Rated 14 Aug 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 17 Feb 2007
60
62nd
Classic.
Rated 17 Feb 2007
djrossdjross
Rated 21 Jan 2007
50
44th
Score based on distant memory.
Rated 21 Jan 2007

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