“The Dark Ages.
The Land was divided and without a King.
Out of those lost centuries rose a Legend …
Of the Sorcerer, Merlin,
Of the coming of a King,
Of the Sword of Power”:
so begins the movie of John Boorman, “Excalibur”.
Among the many movies dedicated to the legend of King Arthur, the so-called “John Boorman’s Excalibur” is undoubtedly one of the best on this issue.
History and legend, reality and fantasy are mingled together in the numerous texts related to this story. It tells of a King who became sovereign of a vast empire, comprehending the entire Europe; after a long and brilliant life, a life of conquests and wise administration of Justice, a life lived with valorous knights, his friends, King Arthur retired in an enchanted island, from which a day he will returns, for to take back the Sword of Power, Excalibur, and for to rule again the world … .
The legend of King Arthur has been written in many ancient texts, grouped in the “Matter of Britain”, a collection of books dating from the 900 to the XV century. Among the authors of the “Matter of Britain”, Malory is one of the most known. And the screenplay of the movie “Excalibur” was in fact adapted by R. Pallenberg from “Le Morte d’Arthur”, written by Malory, the most famous text regarding this legend.
For to read my complete article, this is the link:
http://luthoralexander.blogspot.com/2010/03/excalibur-and-legend-of-king-arthur.html
Alexander Luthor 