Filmed in the Irish countryside with beautiful visual effects, director Boorman's grim, realistic, and classic telling of the Arthurian legend is a faithful adaptation of Sir Thomas Malory's classic Le Morte D Arthur. One must remember that we are dealing with myth and an oral tradition when it comes to the tales of Arthur and the Grail. While a certain event may not be historically true, it is true mythically, because it captures the very essence of the story and taps into the collective unconcious of each and every one of us.

Lush, beautiful, and not afraid to graphically demonstrate the bloody results of swordplay, the film also features early screen appearances from Patrick Stewart, Liam Neeson, and Gabriel Byrne. Academy Award Nominations: Best Cinematography.

John Boorman brings the timeless legend of King Arthur to the screen in visually sumptuous style. An epic tale steeped in magic, "Excalibur" chronicles the life of King Arthur beginning with his birth and ending with his climactic battle with his illegitimate son, the evil Mordred.

"It's a lonely way, you know, the way of the necromancer." Merlin (Nicol Williamson) to Morgana (Helen Mirren)

We are saddened by the passing of Nicholas Clay, a superb actor and truly the best and bravest knight. Please click here for his memorial page.

Please continue your quest by visiting the Excalibur Gallery Hollywood and the Grail and the Excalibur Script.