When it comes to telling the Arthurian legend, this movie is really rubbish. There are so many trite and cliched points to it, that it would be hard to list them all, and my review would probably not be published if I did.
The Arthurian legend is a long story, well in need of four hours to tell, but why on earth this version devoted so much time to things that were never in the original legends anyway is beyong me. The story of Nimue and Merlin was an interesting interpretation, if too far-fetched for my liking. The inclusion of Auntie 'A' was, to my mind, contrived and cliched. In fact much of the script was disappointing.
Having said all that, the acting was really not bad, and most of the costumes were very well done indeed. EXCEPT, I am compelled to point out, those of Frick, and Queen Mab, the character played by the normally illustrious and wholly worthwhile Miranda Richardson. We are treated to a beautifully done-out and mostly historicallly accurate 10th century court, and then, a Disney-esque, overly made-up and totally fake-looking evil Queen Mab. Despite the fact that she is from the 'Otherworld', it's an insult, especially when the lady of the lake, also a fantasy character, was done so beautifully.
I did however like the relationship built between Frick and Morgan, it was a nice touch and mostly sensitively handled. Once again however it was completely extraneous to any shred of the original tale.
I was disappointed with some of the casting. While Rutger Hauer and Isabella Rosselini looked the part, their accents were offputting. Arthur looked the part as the boy king, but his youth could not be disguised despite the character growing older. Lancelot and Mordred were too much like American soap-opera stars who had grown their hair. Later in the movie, new characters were added at such a rate, and they all looked so similar - attractive, regal, dressed in rich robes - that it was hard to tell them apart, especially when each had so little screen time.
Anyway enough of my ranting. The movie did have good points. Sam Neill wasn't bad though I'm surprised at his agreeing to appear in such a script. Isabella did a pretty good job. But really, if you want to watch an Arthur movie, watch 'Excalibur', or be done with movies, and go read Patrick Cornwell's 'Winter King' series.
The Arthurian legend is a long story, well in need of four hours to tell, but why on earth this version devoted so much time to things that were never in the original legends anyway is beyong me. The story of Nimue and Merlin was an interesting interpretation, if too far-fetched for my liking. The inclusion of Auntie 'A' was, to my mind, contrived and cliched. In fact much of the script was disappointing.
Having said all that, the acting was really not bad, and most of the costumes were very well done indeed. EXCEPT, I am compelled to point out, those of Frick, and Queen Mab, the character played by the normally illustrious and wholly worthwhile Miranda Richardson. We are treated to a beautifully done-out and mostly historicallly accurate 10th century court, and then, a Disney-esque, overly made-up and totally fake-looking evil Queen Mab. Despite the fact that she is from the 'Otherworld', it's an insult, especially when the lady of the lake, also a fantasy character, was done so beautifully.
I did however like the relationship built between Frick and Morgan, it was a nice touch and mostly sensitively handled. Once again however it was completely extraneous to any shred of the original tale.
I was disappointed with some of the casting. While Rutger Hauer and Isabella Rosselini looked the part, their accents were offputting. Arthur looked the part as the boy king, but his youth could not be disguised despite the character growing older. Lancelot and Mordred were too much like American soap-opera stars who had grown their hair. Later in the movie, new characters were added at such a rate, and they all looked so similar - attractive, regal, dressed in rich robes - that it was hard to tell them apart, especially when each had so little screen time.
Anyway enough of my ranting. The movie did have good points. Sam Neill wasn't bad though I'm surprised at his agreeing to appear in such a script. Isabella did a pretty good job. But really, if you want to watch an Arthur movie, watch 'Excalibur', or be done with movies, and go read Patrick Cornwell's 'Winter King' series.