Movie spotlight
Swordsman and Enchantress
Asian fans of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon recognized that its director Ang Lee was actually inspired by director Chu Yuan and novelist Ku Lung's wonderful tales of a "martial art world" where all wushu warriors try to attain the "Deer Sword" and escape from the insidious maze-like "Toy Land." Master kung-fu choreographer Tang Chia leads the king and queen of Shaw's swordplay, Ti Lung and Lily Li, in a fascinating and entertaining adventure of consummate swordmen and sorceresses.
Insights
Plot Summary
A legendary British king must unite his land against invading Saxons after pulling a mystical sword from a stone. His reign is complicated by his incestuous desires for his half-sister and the machinations of the sorceress Morgana le Fay, who seeks to usurp his power.
Critical Reception
Excalibur is widely regarded as a visually stunning and mythic interpretation of Arthurian legend, praised for its visceral action, ambitious scope, and strong performances, though some critics found its pacing uneven.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its epic scale and bold, often brutal, depiction of the Arthurian myth.
The visual design and cinematography are frequently cited as outstanding.
Performances, particularly from Nigel Terry as Arthur and Helen Mirren as Morgana, are often highlighted.
Google audience: Audiences appreciate the film's immersive world-building and the epic, larger-than-life portrayal of King Arthur's story. Many find the action sequences exciting and the overall atmosphere captivating, though some note it can be quite violent.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival.
Fun Fact
The iconic sword Excalibur was actually a modified prop sword from the film 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail', featuring a new hilt designed specifically for 'Excalibur'.
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