Films about King Arthur delve into the rich tapestry of Arthurian legends, featuring the fabled king, his trusted Knights of the Round Table, the wizard Merlin, and the quest for the Holy Grail. These stories often involve the legendary sword Excalibur, battles against dark forces, and complex relationships within Camelot. Arthurian cinema ranges from faithful adaptations of medieval texts to contemporary reimaginings infused with fantasy and magic.
“Knights of the Round Table”, 1953
Director: Richard Thorpe
This is one of the earliest adaptations focusing on the rise of King Arthur, the establishment of the knights, and the love triangle involving Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot.
Starring: Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Mel Ferrer, Anne Crawford, Stanley Baker, Felix Aylmer, Maureen Swanson, Gabriel Woolf, Anthony Forwood, Robert Urquhart;
Production year: 1953;
Genre: action, drama, adventure;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Knights of the Round Table” on the website imdb.com
“Excalibur”, 1981
Director: John Boorman
Directed by John Boorman, this film offers a stylistic and dramatic portrayal of the Arthurian legends from the rise of Arthur to the fall of Camelot, centering heavily on the sword Excalibur.
Starring: Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Cherie Lunghi, Paul Geoffrey, Nicol Williamson, Robert Addie, Gabriel Byrne, Keith Buckley, Katrine Boorman;
Production year: 1981;
Genre: fantasy, drama, melodrama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 140 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Excalibur” on the website imdb.com
“The Sword in the Stone”, 1963
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman, Clyde Geronimi, David Hand
This Disney-animated feature is a lighter, family-friendly take on the Arthurian legend, focusing mainly on a young Arthur's education under the wizard Merlin.
Starring: Sebastian Cabot, Karl Swenson, Rickie Sorensen, Junius Matthews, Ginny Tyler, Martha Wentworth, Norman Alden, Alan Napier, Richard Reitherman, Robert Reitherman;
Production year: 1963;
Genre: animation, musical, fantasy, comedy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 79 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “The Sword in the Stone” on the website imdb.com
“First Knight”, 1995
Director: Jerry Zucker
With an emphasis on romance, this film gives a dramatized account of the love triangle involving King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, and Queen Guinevere.
Starring: Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormond, Ben Cross, Liam Cunningham, Christopher Villiers, Valentine Pelka, Colin McCormack, Ralph Ineson, John Gielgud;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: action, drama, melodrama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 134 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
More information about the film “First Knight” on the website imdb.com
“King Arthur”, 2004
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Starring Clive Owen and Keira Knightley, this movie presents a more historical take on the legend, suggesting Arthur was a Roman officer rather than a medieval king.
Starring: Clive Owen, Keira Knightley, Mads Mikkelsen, Ray Winstone, Stellan Skarsgård, Til Schweiger, Ioan Gruffudd, Joel Edgerton, Hugh Dancy, Ray Stevenson;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: action, drama, adventure, war, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “King Arthur” on the website imdb.com
“Merlin”, 2008
Director: Jeremy Webb, Alice Troughton, Dave Moore, Justin Molotnikov
Although a TV miniseries, “Merlin” deserves mention for its unique focus on the wizard Merlin's perspective, charting Arthur's rise to power while unfolding the broader mythology.
Starring: John Hurt, Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Richard Wilson, Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath, Anthony Head, Rupert Young, Eoin Macken, Santiago Cabrera;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: fantasy, drama, adventure;
Age: 12+;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
“King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”, 2017
Director: Guy Ritchie
Directed by Guy Ritchie, this film reimagines the classic tale with a distinct style, focusing on Arthur's journey from the streets to the throne.
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Jude Law, Djimon Hounsou, Eric Bana, Aidan Gillen, Freddie Fox, Craig McGinlay, Tom Wu, Kingsley Ben-Adir;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: fantasy, action, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” on the website imdb.com
“Camelot”, 2011
Director: Mikael Salomon, Stefan Schwartz, Ciaran Donnelly, Jeremy Podeswa
This adaptation of the Lerner and Loewe musical brings the Arthurian legends to life through song, focusing on the romantic and political complexities of Camelot.
Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Jamie Campbell Bower, Tamsin Egerton, Peter Mooney, Philip Winchester, Eva Green, Diarmaid Murtagh, Clive Standen, Claire Forlani, Jamal Downey;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: fantasy, drama;
Age: 12+;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “Camelot” on the website imdb.com
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, 1975
Director: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
A comedic parody of the Arthurian legends told in the unique and whimsical style of the Monty Python comedy troupe.
Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Connie Booth, Carol Cleveland, Neil Innes, Bee Duffell;
Production year: 1975;
Genre: comedy, fantasy, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 91 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” on the website imdb.com
“Lancelot du Lac”, 1974
Director: Robert Bresson
Directed by Robert Bresson, this French film offers a more realistic and tragic portrayal of the Arthurian legend, particularly the story of Sir Lancelot and his affair with Queen Guinevere.
Starring: Luc Simon, Laura Duke Condominas, Humbert Balsan, Vladimir Antolek-Oresek, Patrick Bernhard, Arthur De Montalembert, Charles Balsan, Christian Schlumberger, Joseph-Patrick Le Quidre, Jean-Paul Leperlier;
Production year: 1974;
Genre: fantasy, drama, melodrama;
Duration: 88 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Lancelot du Lac” on the website imdb.com
These films represent just a handful of the vast array of King Arthur-inspired cinema, each offering its own interpretation of the enduring legend.
In conclusion, the cinematic adaptations of the Arthurian legend are as varied as they are enchanting, each offering its unique rendition of the timeless tales of chivalry, honor, and mystical adventure. Films exploring the mythos of King Arthur, from the spectacle-rich “Excalibur” to the more recent epic “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”, continuously captivate audiences by reimagining the fabled Camelot and its storied inhabitants. These narratives not merely retell ancient lore, but they also serve as cultural reflections, often imbued with contemporary concerns and sensibilities. The enduring fascination with Arthurian films underscores our collective yearning for heroes who embody the noblest virtues, the intrigue of forbidden magic, and the undying dream of a utopian kingdom where right ultimately triumphs. As storytellers find new ways to breathe life into the legend of King Arthur, we are reminded that these tales, much like the mythical sword in the stone, are firmly embedded in the bedrock of our cultural imagination, waiting for the next visionary to draw them forth and into the light of the silver screen.
