Yes, most definitely.
shareEasily the best by far, can never be equaled or surpassed.
shareAlongside with the animated series, King Arthur and the Knights of Justice, I would definitely have to say yes, this is definitely the best King Arthur adaptation.
I remember having to watch this film multiple times over because I didn't fully understand it on the first few viewings, but it really grew on me and the set designs, casting, cinematography, effects, and music are all top notch.
I really need to re-watch this film at some point because it's such an iconic piece of film history.
Definitely! All Arthurian movies before Excalibur were naive and old-fashioned (except Monty Python & the Holy Grail, which is the second best Arthurian film) and all Arthurian movies since have been shallow and gimmicky. Nobody will ever top this movie in the genre of Arthurian fantasy.
shareMonty Python may be fun but it can't really be called an Arthurian movie. It is a parody, a farce, and not a real attempt to portray the mythos of Arthur and his knights.
shareI firmly believe that farce or not, Mony Python & the Holy Grail is a far, far better Arthurian movie than any Arthurian film released other than Excalibur. It does a much better job of portraying the Arthurian mythos than junk like First Knight or the Clive Owen abomination or the naive attempts from earlier decades.
shareI actually enjoyed First Knight and think it's a pretty good, and underrated, movie, though it's not a great representation of the Arthurian mythos.
The Clive Owen movie is an Arthur film in name only and Guy Ritchie's film was not that much more faithful.
I would like to check out the 1953 film, Knights of the Round Table. I've heard it's good.
I’d go so far as to say that it’s not only the best King Arthur adaptation but also one of my favourite films full stop.
I could write a long list of reasons for why that is but it takes me to another place and time with every watch. It’s utterly magical.
The best adaption of Le Morte d'Arthur! Many King Arthur films stray too far from Arthurian myth but Excalibur includes just about everything that should be included and has remained one of my favourite fantasy films since the 80’s, the only fantasy film that surpasses it in my view is Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings, which came twenty years later.
My only gripe is that it really should have been three films or even a big budget mini-series, but it was a product of its time, and a glorious product at that!
"the only fantasy film that surpasses it in my view is Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings"
I am generally NOT a fan of fantasy films, but Excalibur is awesome. Those Tolkien abominations sucked balls.
I didn't know there existed anyone on the planet who shared my exact sentiment on both Excalibur AND TLOTR films.
Cheers!
I would agree that it would be better as multiple films or a mini-series. The story covers a LOT of ground and does it very quickly and at times I feel like the narrative isn't really given time to breathe. It's just, quite suddenly, onto the next thing and then the next. But if you can manage to fall into the film's rhythm and understand what Boorman is doing, it's a great experience.
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