Excalibur

Genre: medieval legend  

With: Nigel Terry (King Arthur), Nicol Williamson (Merlin), Helen Mirren (Morgana), Nicholas Clay (Lancelot), Cherie Lunghi (Guenevere), Paul Geoffrey (Perceval), Gabriel Byrne (Uther Pendragon), Keith Buckley (Uryens), Katrine Boorman (Igrayne), Robert Addie (Mordred), Liam Neeson (Gawain), Corin Redgrave (Cornwall), Niall O'Brien (Kay), Patrick Stewart (Leondegrance)

Director: John Boorman

Screenplay: Rospo Pallenberg and John Boorman (based on the book by Thomas Malory, adapted by Rospo Pallenberg)

Release: 1981

Studio: Cinema '84, Orion Pictures thru Warner Bros.

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.8/10 

 

‟God, send us a true king. We are unworthy... but the land bleeds, the people suffer.” 

 

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Story-line: in a rudderless, divided Britain of centuries past, two warriors, Uther and Cornwall, battle each other to rule the land. Desperate for victory, Uther retrieves Excalibur – the Sword of Power – with the help of sorcerer Merlin and brandishes it before Cornwall who acknowledges defeat and Uther’s kingship. Peace, however, will last mere hours as the new king falls hopelessly for Igrayne, Cornwall’s wife, during a feast offered to celebrate their truce. Thus begins, with a flurry of violence and lust, the legend of Arthur, Guenevere, Lancelot and the Knights of the Round Table.

Pluses: impassioned acting by Nigel Terry, Nicol Williamson (a formidable, enigmatic Merlin), Helen Mirren (the poisonous Morgana) and a strong cast, efficient, highly impressive direction that balances storytelling wizardry and cinematic artistry, a powerful and profound screenplay highlighted by quasi-mystic dialogues reminiscent of Shakespeare, magnificent and at times dreamlike cinematography, commendable editing, grandiose production values (sets, exteriors, costumes) that splendidly recreate the sights and sounds of olden times and an excellent musical score that heightens every mood and event (Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana is especially topical here).

Minuses: a warning is in order: a couple of scenes are gruesome and even barbaric.

Comments: you may have noticed that, as a movie fan, I am not particularly attracted to fantasies and mythical tales (I have only seen one STAR WARS episode and none from the LORD OF THE RINGS series) but I was very keen on seeing EXCALIBUR, a time-tested retelling of the old British legend. And guess what? It didn’t disappoint me one bit. Truth be told, this is an overwhelming piece of cinema, a thrilling, spooky, spectacular show! Tragedy, mayhem, love, treachery, sorcery, the eternal struggle between good and evil… and, for anglophiles out there, poetry in motion. ‟What does it mean to be king?” asks Arthur. ‟You will be the land, and the land will be you”, answers Merlin. ‟If you fail, the land will perish. As you thrive, the land will blossom.” 

 

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Shadows

Genre: social and interracial drama (in black and white)

With: Ben Carruthers (Benny Herd), Lelia Goldoni (Lelia), Hugh Hurd (Hugh), Anthony Ray (Tony Russel), Dennis Sallas (Dennis), Tom Reese (Tom), David Pokitillow (David, Lelia’s friend), Rupert Crosse (Rupert, Hugh’s agent), David Jones (Davey Johnson), Jack Ackerman (Jack)

Director: John Cassavetes

Screenplay: John Cassavetes

Release: 1958

Studio: Lion International

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.2/10 

 

‟I am what I am. And nobody tells me what to do.” 

 

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Story-line: the setting is New York City’s artistic scene in the late 1950s. Benny, a fledgling jazz trumpeter, owes money around town and likes to chase girls with friends Tom and Dennis. Hugh, his older brother, tries to make it as a nightclub singer but his career has hit a wall. As for their young sister Lelia, both Benny and Hugh look after her protectively as she learns about life and love. That’s where Tony comes in… and problems ensue.

Pluses: excellent, natural-looking and wide-ranging performances by Ben Carruthers, Hugh Hurd and particularly Lelia Goldoni, fast-paced, no-frills direction focused on the story itself and human interplay, a serious, loosely structured screenplay that allows its imperfect and somewhat frustrating characters to struggle and evolve through intimate and sometimes kooky situations, informative and atmospheric cinematography, sober production values and a jazzy musical score.

Minuses: because this film is sketchy and improvised, you may find it confusing until you get to know the main characters… but my synopsis will help you figure it out.

Comments: as it follows Benny, Hugh and Lelia through troubles and disappointments, SHADOWS is exactly what it aims to be: an honest, understated slice-of-life drama, a glimpse of people under construction, a series of human experiences in a world of racial differences. This was John Cassavetes’ first try as a director – a promise of things to come – and he let his story meander along unfettered by conventions. As a result, SHADOWS is more authentic than many other films and its truthfulness will please fans of arty, innovative cinema.  

 

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