Excalibur (film)

In 1981, when Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne starred in the supporting roles, a stunning film based on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table was shot on a relatively small budget. With the famous “shot down” jumping camera, which for some reason was called Spielberg’s invention in “Private Ryan.” With highly artistic camera work, colorful and surreal shots (in many respects due to the fact that almost all plans were shot through light filters). With great music, wonderful battle scenes, a real drive that does not reduce stress even towards the end of the 2.5-hour tape ... But the main advantage of the film is its deep symbolism, it is really a film adaptation of the myth, a story about eternal values, fears, throwing, about the hero’s path , trials, about deep psychology.

It is based on the classic version of Sir Thomas Mallory 's novel, "The Death of Arthur ." Here is the irresistible lust of King Uther, and the death of Lord Cornwell, and young Arthur - the armor-bearer of Sir Kay, and of course, the magic sword of power - Excalibur , and King Arthur, sailing on a boat to unknown distances.

Merlin in this production is either a sorcerer, a fraud, or a philosopher, but whoever he is, he is always interesting. The ball of passion and betrayal that led Arthur to insight, placing Excalibur in stone and Arthur's ascent to Camelot after he drew his sword - all this is accompanied by anxiety and gloomy deeds.

The legendary King Arthur is simply a man with his inherent weaknesses and delusions. He rushes between the desire to be just a husband and a king, before the law of which everyone is equal. And he knows how to forgive, as he forgave the unfaithful wife and beloved knight Lancelot .

The Morgan- Merlin line is interesting. The daughter of the murdered Lord Cornwell and his wife deceived by Uther, Lady Igrain, dreams of becoming a sorceress, asks Merlin to teach her everything that he knows, and as a result Morgan wins, exclaiming, “I will find a man and become the mother of God.”

The son of Morgana and Arthur, the fruit of incestuous love - Mordred - was born to kill. From a young age, this child is cruel and merciless, his mother instructs him on the path of war and blood, gives his son magic gold armor that makes him invulnerable to weapons created by man. But the sorceress did not take into account the fact that her son, forged by her murder weapon, could turn against herself. Cruel and heartless, Mordred kills his mother before a decisive battle.

Excalibur is an epic about knights, about the formation of the very concept of chivalry, about the early Middle Ages, about the change of paganism by Christianity, about love, loyalty and courage. A sophisticated, almost perfect combination of action, romance, fantasy and philosophy. For field shooting, the most picturesque landscapes of Ireland, frozen in time, were chosen.

• Photogallery "Excalibur"
• Photogallery of Mordred
• The Death of Arthur, Thomas Melory
• " Excalibur " (English) on the Internet Movie Database
• Excalibur 1981 - Mordred (Robert Addie)