Excalibur

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This lush retelling of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is a dark and engrossing tale. Director John Boorman (Deliverance) masterfully handles the tale of the mythical sword Excalibur, and its passing from the wizard Merlin to the future king of England. Arthur pulls the famed sword from a stone and is destined to be crowned king. As the king embarks on a passionate love affair with Guenevere, an illegitimate son, and Merlin's designs on power, threaten Arthur's reign. The film is visually stunning and unflinching in its scenes of combat and black magic. Featuring an impressive supporting cast, including early work from the likes of Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne, Excalibur is an adaptation of the legend both faithful and bold. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews:

Perfect and Definitive!.......2007-08-27

I just saw this film again last night. I first saw it years ago as a teenager and it had a great impact on me then but I can say that with repeated viewings I have extracted more.

Essentially this film is really well crafted. I have to confess that I have not read Sir Thomas Mallory's "La Morte d'Arthur" upon which this film is supposedly largely based but it seems to me that Boorman has threaded together a number of themes of medieval and dark age literature with seamless ease.
King Arthur is, in fact, Siegfried, King Marke and Amfortas (from the Parzifal legend) wrapped into one. This is beautifully expounded by the adoption of effective musical motifs taken from Richard Wagner's mature operas: Gotterdammerung (Siegfried's funeral march), Tristan und Isolde (prelude), Parsifal (prelude). Boorman, in particular, uses the music from Siegfried's funeral march to symbolize the triumph that is Arthur's life as courageous, then noble, then forgiving King - in the manner of the three characters for which he is an effective amalgam. He uses the death motif at the beginning of Siegfried's funeral march during dramatic moments and Wotan's doom prophecy motif for certain isolated moments with Merlin - yes, Merlin here is Wotan according to the use of Wagner's motif but it is particularly fitting.

Of course, the nature of the nordic myths is such that there is a great deal of overlap among the various heroes and Gods and the likes so that one character from one myth is often based on a character from another. It is also the case that many of the myths do get interwoven into some great saga thereafter - think Tolkein's Ring and think Wagner's Ring based essentially on the same sources. What is great about Excalibur is that the integration of the myths is pretty fluid throughout and the central thread is the progression through Arthur's life from naive squire to wise and weary King.

Many other themes are covered here - the wound that will not heal (Lancelot as Tristan - note Wagner linked Tristan to Amfortas so this is fitting here), Perceval (read Parsifal) is the innocent fool who procures the grail to redeem Arthur (Amfortas).
Guinevere is both Isolde and Elsa who is championed by Lohengrin (again read Lancelot here). It's all in there and it's very smooth.

Okay, apart from the excellent integration of manifold myth accompanied to the lush musical Wagnerian tapestries, you have great cinematography throughout - this is how to do myth!
The acting is also top notch - you have young English/Irish stars such as Byrne, Stewart, Neeson, Redgrave, Williamson, Mirren - for the most part before they were particularly famous. There are a couple of really dodgy performers in there as well but the relatively minor roles do not detract from the overall effect.

This film is played as myth, the dialogue is relatively simple but often witty (in the hands of Williamson, for example), but this is exactly what myth is about. The synthesis of music, cinematography and rich drama that incorporates, as I have said, so many nordic myths render this just about the ultimate cinematic portrayal of such myth that you will ever get. It is ideal for people interested in nordic myth e.g. Nibelungenlied, Eddas, Saga of the Walsung, but it is also ideal for teenagers just interested in all the glamour of the chivalrous age - as I was at the time. Probably not for kids though since there is a lot of limb hacking in evidence. This is a symbolic myth telling that has real-world, adult symbolism and is not a children's tale of the type you will get from Tolkien, so in this respect it depends what you want but basically any normal human being should buy this - full of great emotional moments!

A Medieval Fantasy Boldly Brought to Life.......2007-08-26

The screen darkens and words appear referring to a time long gone by...ominous music from Richard Wagner's "Gotterdammerung" begins to swell... suddenly there are towering flames in the night and amongst the trees armored knights spill over a ridge in mortal combat... Welcome to the story of Excalibur and the king who will wield it. From those opening moments I was completely hooked, so it came as a surprise to me that some film critics complained that it wasn't realistic (actual armor was so heavy that knights could not walk around in it) and the dialog too melodramatic (not faithful to the serious tone of Thomas Mallory's "Le Morte D'Arthur" upon which this film is mostly based). But they missed the point here-this is a film constructed solely of myth and legend, of wizards and sorcery, peopled with larger than life characters and so grandly filmed that it won an Academy Award for best cinematography. The sound track is credited to Trevor Jones, but he also makes use of stirring passages from the world of classical music at key points in the film (portions of Wagner's operatic "Ring" cycle and choral music from Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana"). Add into this heady mix a few images from Norse sagas (such as the body of a dead hero transported out to sea on a Viking ship) and you end up with what I've always enjoyed about this film-a magical and bold interpretation of the day's of King Arthur aimed at an adult audience. (There are violent battle sequences and nudity-I don't mean to mislead anyone here.)

If at this point you're still hesitating as to whether to buy this DVD or not, I'll leave you with one of my favorite moments: Merlin stands by the water's edge, and as Wagnerian music begins to soar around you Excalibur dramatically bursts through the liquid surface and rises forth in the hand of The Lady of the Lake. (An indelible image that still gives me a thrill each time I see it.)

Motion Picture Sidenote: Appearing here are several stars before they became famous-Patrick Stewart (Star Trek's Capt. Picard), Liam Neeson ("Schindler's List"), and Helen Mirren (recent Academy Award winner for Best Actress in "The Queen").

What is used from your lust..Shall be mine...And you'll have it!.......2007-07-10

By Excalibur I SWEEAARRR IT! John Boorman's masterpiece
of Arthur should be seen from everyone.It is a classic
tale that seems to be filmed every 7-10 yrs. I still
believe this is the best version.For the performances
from Nicole Williamson(uuummm! Hello OSCARS???)Gabriel
(I just plain kick a$$)Byrne and many more! The fact
this is Rated R just enhances the movie that much more.
Sorry Kiddies but if you are looking for a nice/soft
version of King Arthur and Merlin with the long grey
beard you will be very dissapointed,for the EX does
NOT F#$K AROUND! The directing is flawless and the
music is ONE of the best in film history!Totally
recommend in any AMAZONERS DVD shelf!!! BUY IT
WATCH IT....LIVE IT!.........All I can give you
is my love....."THAT'S THE ONE THING OF YOURS I DON'T
WANT!I WILL COME AND TAKE CAMELOT BY FOOOOORRRCCEE!"
BRILLIANT BOORMAN....JUST BRILLIANT!LONG LIVE THE EX!

Excaliber.......2007-05-28

One of my all time favorites!! Its great to have it in dvd collection now too. A must have for the medival-King Arthur etc fans!!

Dated, but still greaat to watch........2007-05-14

I had forgotten how interesting this movie was -- a little frustrating with its mixing of the legends, but a good watch and a fun reminder of how film styles have evolved in recent years.

Average customer rating:

Perfect and Definitive!
A Medieval Fantasy Boldly Brought to Life
What is used from your lust..Shall be mine...And you'll have it!
Excaliber
Dated, but still greaat to watch.

Excalibur [HD DVD]
Starring: Nigel Terry , Helen Mirren , Nicholas Clay , Cherie Lunghi , and Paul Geoffrey
Director: John Boorman
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000JLSLZG
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Amazon.com essential video

Description

Raised by merlin, young Arthur draws the mystical sword of Excalibur from the stone and becomes King. He grows to manhood and with his wife Guenevere and first knight Lancelot unites the country and founds the Knights of the Round Table. But the love between Lancelot and Guenevere, and the treachery of his sister Morgana and son Mordred cause King Arthur's pride to jeopardize the kingdom. An epic battle between the knights of good and evil decides the fate of Camelot,

Customer Reviews:

Perfect and Definitive!.......2007-08-27

A Medieval Fantasy Boldly Brought to Life.......2007-08-26

What is used from your lust..Shall be mine...And you'll have it!.......2007-07-10

Excaliber.......2007-05-28

One of my all time favorites!! Its great to have it in dvd collection now too. A must have for the medival-King Arthur etc fans!!

Dated, but still greaat to watch........2007-05-14

I had forgotten how interesting this movie was -- a little frustrating with its mixing of the legends, but a good watch and a fun reminder of how film styles have evolved in recent years.

Average customer rating:

Bala Perdida
Starring: Miguel Aceves Mejia , Antonio Aguilar , Daniel "Chino" Herrera , Raul Meraz , and David Carradine
Director: Pau Martínez
Manufacturer: Excalibur
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ASIN: B0000EMYBO
Release Date: 2004-01-06

Description

En San José de los Lagos, el rejoneador Carmelo, caporal de la ganadería de Cerro Prieto, ama a la huérfana Alicia, adoptada por el boticario del pueblo y por su esposa Remedios. De regreso de la capital, donde ha llevado mala vida, Emilio, hijo de don Elodio, tropieza en la calle con Alicia y le da a guardar un dinero ganado con trampas en la baraja; así él despista a sus perseguidores. In Spanish no Subtitles In the town of San Jose, bullfighter Carmelo, foreman of the famous bull-breeding ranch Cerro Prieto, is in love with Alicia, an orphan who has been adopted by the town's pharmacist and his wife. Emilio, who is returning from Mexico City with money he has won by cheating in card games, runs into Alicia and asks her to hide the money, hoping to confuse those who are tracking him down.

Average customer rating:

Muy Fuerte

El Apando
Starring: Salvador Sánchez , Delia Casanova , César Sobrevals , Álvaro Carcaño , and Tomás Pérez Turrent
Director: Felipe Cazals
Manufacturer: Excalibur
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ASIN: B0000EMYB0
Release Date: 2004-01-06

Description

En la cárcel de Lecumberri, tres presos drogadictos arman un plan para que la madre de uno de ellos introduzca droga al penal. El plan funciona y cuando ellos celebran son descubiertos y encerrados en "el apando", la celda de castigo. Las protestas por la situación de los "apandados" provocan una sangrienta trifulca. In Spanish no subtitles In Mexico City's infamous Lecumberri prison, three drug-addicted convicts celebrate getting drugs from the mother of one of them. They are found out and locked up in the "apando", the dreaded punishment cell. Protests over the treatment of those held in the cell lead to a bloody confrontation.

Customer Reviews:

Muy Fuerte.......2007-01-18

Esta pelicula esta muy fuerte pero clasica. Ensena los aspectos del prision. La compre para mi papa, pero tambien a mi me gusto.

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Intimidades en un Cuarto de Bano
Starring: Martha Navarro , María Rojo , Emilio Echevarría , Álvaro Guerrero , and Gabriela Roel
Director: Jaime Humberto Hermosillo
Manufacturer: Excalibur
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ASIN: B0000EMYCP
Release Date: 2004-01-20

Description

Gabriela, una empleada de banco, vive con sus padres mientras su esposo Roberto consigue una beca como escritor. Al ver que Roberto llega borracho se mete al baño. Él entra, discuten y Roberto la sodomiza forzándola. En la mañana la madre dice a Gabriela que ha tenido amantes y que no mantenga a su esposo como ella hace con su padre. Roberto se suicida y la madre anima a Gabriela hablándole de nuevas metas. Su padre Juan se apunta con una pistola pero la deja. Entonces saca una revista pornográfica, se masturba y llora. In Spanish no Subtitles Gabriela works at a bank and lives with her parents while her husband Roberto gets a grant as a writer. One night, Roberto comes home drunk and Gabriela locks herself in the bathroom. He gets in, they argue, and he abuses her. The next morning, her mother confesses to Gabriela that she has had lovers and advises her not to put up with Roberto as she did with Gabriela's father. Roberto ends up committing suicide and the mother consoles Gabriela, telling her she has many things to accomplish.

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Caballo Prieto Azabache
Starring: Jaime Fernández (II) , Antonio Aguilar , Jorge Russek , and Flor Silvestre
Director: René Cardona
Manufacturer: Excalibur
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ASIN: B0000EMYCR
Release Date: 2004-01-20

Description

El viejo Jesús, criador y tratante de caballos, visita la tumba de Villa. Jesús, aún joven, protege de la Acordada al peón Doroteo Arango (el futuro Pancho Villa), acusado de la muerte de un hacendado. En un palenque donde canta Genoveva, el gallo de Jesús vence al del Coyote. Jesús mata al Coyote en duelo de cuchillos. Con sus vaqueros, Jesús captura y doma a un caballo salvaje, el prieto azabache. Al estallar la revolución, Jesús no se mete en política, pero su amigo Villista Plácido y el vaquero Daniel deben salvarlo de Rodolfo Fierro, que lo va a fusilar por vender un caballo a un hacendado. El jefe de Fierro, Villa, reconoce a Jesús va a un banquete del general Huertista Velasco donde canta Genoveva. In Spanish no Subtitles Old Jesús, breeder and dealer of horses, visits the tomb of Pancho Villa and reminisces. When he was young, Jesus sheltered laborer Doroteo Arango, who was to become Pancho Villa, when Doroteo was accused of killing a landowner. When the Mexican Civil War explodes, Jesus does not take sides, but two of his friends, who side with Villa, have to defend him when Rodolfo Fierro wants to execute him for selling a horse to a wealthy anti-Villa man. Fierro's superior is none other than Villa himself, who recognizes Jesus and remembers his kindness of years before.

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El Charro Negro
Starring: Pedro Armendáriz , Luis G. Barreiro , Carolina Barret , Alfonso Bedoya , and Manuel Buendía
Director: Raúl de Anda
Manufacturer: Excalibur
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Description

Un defraudador (Emilio Fernández) usurpa la personalidad del CHARRO NEGRO para asaltar a quienes les ha comprado una propiedad horas antes y así recuperar su inversión de inmediato. Pese a la extrañeza de todos los lugareños y de las autoridades, se le pone precio a la cabeza del charro justiciero, por lo que el verdadero CHARRO NEGRO (Raúl De Anda) tendrá que encontrar al defraudador y desenmascararlo para poder limpiar su nombre. In Spanish No Subtitles A swindler (Emilio Fernández) disguises himself as the CHARRO NEGRO (Black Cowboy) and holds up those to whom he has earlier sold property, getting his money back. A bounty is established for the capture of the assumed holdup man, so the real CHARRO NEGRO (Raúl de Anda) must find the swindler, unmask him and bring him to justice In Spanish No Subtitles

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Time Moved On, Fernandez Did Not

Pueblito
Starring: Columba Dominguez , Lilia Prado , Fernando Soler , Emilio Fernandez , and José Alonso
Director: Emilio Fernandez
Manufacturer: Excalibur
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ASIN: B0009SCV5A
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Description

Todo el drama de los pueblos rurales traído a escena por el gran director mexicano Emilio "El Indio" Fernández. Un joven ingeniero llega a un pueblo requerido por la maestra del mismo, quien le pide que construya una nueva escuela a lo cual el cacique del pueblo se opone. Un día el ahijado del cacique del pueblo enferma de fiebre amarilla. El cacique lo da por muerto pero el ingeniero lo traslada en su motocicleta con un médico más capacitado, salvándole la vida. La gente del pueblo coopera para la construcción de la escuela pero aún así el cacique no está dispuesto a permitir que se construya la escuela. Todo se complica cuando en un encuentro inesperado el ingeniero conoce a la esposa del cacique… The whole drama of small rural towns is brought to the screen by the great Mexican director Emilio "El Indio" Fernández. A young engineer goes to a small village at the request of the schoolteacher, who wants him to build a new school even though the local political boss opposes it. The boss' godson becomes ill with yellow fever and is given up for dead, but the engineer takes the boy to the doctor on his motorcycle and saves his life. The villagers make donations to build the school but even then the boss is not willing to let it happen. Things get even more complicated when the engineer unexpectedly meets the boss' wife… .

Customer Reviews:

Time Moved On, Fernandez Did Not.......2005-06-03

I am a big fan of Emilio Fernandez, my favorite Mexican director. I have also had a fixation with Lilia Prado, who gets my vote for the sexiest woman in Mexican film history. Needless to say I was excited to check out Pueblito when it was recently released on DVD.

Pueblito is essentially a melodrama in the same fashion of Fernandez's earlier films like Rio Escondido (1948). Maria Elena Marquez plays the helpless but determined teacher who has a burning desire to build a school. Fernando Soler plays the cruel cacique, the always elegant Columba Dominguez (El Indio's real life wife) plays a simple peasant woman, and Lilia Prado plays the cacique's eye-catching wife.

Nothing is really wrong here, but a couple of shortcomings deserve mention. First of all, buxom Lilia Prado just seems flat, especially compared to her incredibly sexy role in Bunuel's Subido al Cielo. Its not so much the extra ten years that weight her down, perhaps its the bad hairdo and a lack of opportunity afforded by the script. Or maybe it has something to do with the camera angles by cinematographer Alex Phillips, who never managed to capture what really made her special. Finally, except for some nice shots in the church capturing the nobility of human suffering, Phillips at best provides reasonable imitations of Figueroa's work. There was nothing new or innovative in his efort here.

From 1944-1950, Emilio Fernandez's films were as good or better than anything being produced anywhere on Earth. But by 1962, the art of cinema had moved forward with realism as exhibited in films like The 400 Blows, La Dolce Vita, and L'Avventura. In the same year, David Lean put forth his great masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia. Pueblito shows that Fernandez was still in the same place as he was in the 1940s; sadly, the world of film had left him behind.

Regarding the DVD there are no subtitles and no special features worthy of mention. It is presented in full screen.

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El Indio
Starring: Pedro Armendáriz , Carlos Lopez Moctezuma , Enrique Cancino , and Dolores Camarillo
Director: Armando Vargas de la Maza
Manufacturer: Excalibur
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Maclovia

ASIN: B0003JAJT0
Release Date: 2005-04-05

Description

En una hacienda de los tiempos del Porfiriato, los obreros indios son maltratados y abusados por el cacique dueño de la hacienda. Este pretende a la joven Cristina, hija de su socio. El rico hacendado y el socio tratan de engañar al indio Julián para que los lleve a donde se encuentran los tesoros arqueológicos de la región. Al negarse el indio, el padre y el hacendado intentan colgarlo pero otro indio de nombre Felipe (Pedro Armendáriz) lo salva e inicia la rebelión de los indígenas en contra de los hacendados y caciques de la región. In Spanish No Subtitles At a time when Mexico was still ruled by land barons and local chieftains, the owner of a hacienda mistreats and abuses his native workers. The hacienda owner and his partner try to fool Julián, a native, into taking them to the place where the local archeological treasures are. When Julián refuses, they try to hang him, but Felipe, another native (played by Pedro Armendáriz), saves him and starts a rebellion of the indigenous people against the landowners and chieftains of the region. . In Spanish No Subtitles

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Tirando a Gol
Starring: Lola Beltrán , David Reynoso , Julissa , Fernando Luján , and Federico Falcón
Director: Icaro Cisneros
Manufacturer: Excalibur
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0001O3YHG
Release Date: 2004-05-25

DVD:

DVD

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