Chris
When addressing the legend of King Arthur on film, none surpass John Boorman’s Excalibur. Released in 1981, this rich portrayal of King Arthur and Camelot has remained the definitive version of the tale, despite numerous contenders. Some alternatives include First Knight, a romantic take hindered by Richard Gere’s unconvincing portrayal of Lancelot; the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced King Arthur, which strips away the magic; and Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. None can rival Boorman’s masterpiece.
A Dark, Adult Fantasy Ahead of Its Time
Given its classic status, it’s surprising that it took so long for the film to be released on 4K disc. Warner Bros. licensed it to Arrow Video, who produced a lavish new edition filled with extras. For those unfamiliar with Excalibur, the film chronicles Arthur and Camelot’s rise and fall, presenting a distinctly adult perspective on the medieval fantasy genre that anticipated trends later popularized by Game of Thrones. Excalibur depicts the medieval era as dark, grimy, and intensely violent, earning a well-deserved R rating upon its release.
The late Nigel Terry convincingly portrays Arthur from youth to old age, while Nicolas Clay and Cherie Lunghi depict Lancelot and Guinevere, focusing significantly on their forbidden romance. Although none achieved great fame post-Excalibur, several cast members reached superstardom. A young Helen Mirren plays the villainous sorceress Morgana, while Liam Neeson appears as Sir Gawain, losing a jousting match to Lancelot in one of the film’s most thrilling scenes. Additionally, a young Gabriel Byrne portrays Uther, Arthur’s father, while Patrick Stewart demonstrates his agelessness as Guinevere’s father.
Nicol Williamson’s Legendary Merlin
Nicol Williamson shines as Merlin, delivering a performance that is alternately humorous, threatening, and empathetic. Regarded as one of the finest actors of his time, Williamson battled personal demons off-screen and rarely had opportunities to showcase his talent in films; this role remains his most significant achievement.
4K Transfer and Audio: Faithful to the Original Vision
Fans have eagerly awaited a 4K release of Excalibur since the format’s inception. Arrow has provided a transfer that remains true to the film’s intended soft aesthetic. Viewers should not expect a razor-sharp image; it was deliberately stylized for its time, and Arrow delivers an authentic representation.
The audio mix follows a similar pattern; despite its grand scale, the film was initially mixed in mono. It was later upgraded to 5.1 during the DVD/Blu-ray era, so Arrow includes both options. Personally, I recommend the mono mix due to its impeccably crafted soundtrack featuring compositions by Trevor Jones alongside classical pieces from Wagner and Carl Orff.
The extras are well-curated as usual for Arrow. The film includes three commentary tracks, one featuring John Boorman himself alongside a new interview with his son Charley, who notably plays Mordred. A highlight is a vintage documentary from 1981 about the film’s production directed by Neil Jordan—who would soon become an iconic director himself—along with a contemporary interview reflecting on his experiences on set.
A more recent “Behind the Movie” featurette includes interviews from surviving cast members like Liam Neeson, Helen Mirren, and Patrick Stewart (by then all three leads had passed away). Notably included is the “TV Cut,” which aired frequently on HBO in the early eighties due to regulations preventing R-rated films from being shown during daytime hours; thus this PG version was broadcast during the day while the R-rated version aired at night.
Final Verdict
If you’re a fan of Excalibur, this set is an obvious choice (buy it HERE). Although it comes with a hefty price tag, Arrow consistently delivers quality products worth every penny. Highly recommended.
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