Pellam Reviews

Camelot (1967)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[7/10 · 17 March 2020]

Is it as brilliant as the original Broadway musical? Probably not. Does it nevertheless retain enough charm to be a thoroughly enjoyable movie experience? Yes Sir!

Lancelot of the Lake (1974)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[7/10 · 17 March 2020]

Bresson's directorial antics are certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but here they fuel a strong, nihilistic love drama.

Merlin (1998)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[7/10 · 17 March 2020]

Merlin is high on magic and thanks to the generous running time also high on mythos. Many absolutely delicious performances keep the story well afloat amidst outdated visuals.

Perceval le Gallois (1978)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[7/10 · 17 March 2020]

If you like Chrétien, this is certainly for you. Even if you don't, your struggle against unfinished storylines and stagelike production will be worth it when you get to the masterful conclusion of the quest.

Gawain and the Green Knight (1991 TV Movie)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[7/10 · 17 March 2020]

Bravely incorporates alliterations from the original text. Only the early analepsis hampers this concise and faithful adaptation.

The Legend of King Arthur (1979)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[7/10 · 17 March 2020]

Ample running time allows many smaller famous acts we have rarely seen, yet sometimes the movie feels a bit perfunctory. Claustrophobic cinematography fails to obfuscate low-key production values, but the acting is top-notch.

Knights of the Round Table (1953)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[7/10 · 17 March 2020]

Never has Arthur been closer to Hollywood - here we have the biggest names, the widest screen and the most vibrant colors.

Tristan + Isolde (2006)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[6/10 · 17 March 2020]

Thoroughly proficient filmmaking. But you really can't be proficient in love without spoiling it, and that's where this movie fails.

Sword of Lancelot (1963)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[5/10 · 17 March 2020]

Lots of knightly action and a well matured love triangle. The most magical thing here is a bar of soap.

Parsifal (1982)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[5/10 · 17 March 2020]

You must be able to endure opera, Wagner and glacial pacing to uncover the interesting symbolism Syberberg has added on the top of the original story.

Guinevere (1994 TV Movie)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[5/10 · 17 March 2020]

A low budget spiritual predecessor to the Mists of Avalon. Based on Woolley's novels, it gets quite talky at times

Prince Valiant (1954)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[5/10 · 17 March 2020]

Harmless adventuring with sparse Arthurian references and a dense array of massive Viking horns. Visually very loyal to the comics - they only forgot men's lipstick.

First Knight (1995)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[5/10 · 17 March 2020]

A very loose adaption with an A-list love triangle and heaps of general silliness. I questioned the pistol crossbows at first, but then realised that they actually might be effective against those Star Trek uniforms.

First Knight (1995)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[5/10 · 17 March 2020]

Questioned the pistol crossbows at first, but then realised that they actually might be effective against those Star Trek uniforms.

King Arthur (2004)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[5/10 · 17 March 2020]

Suberb production values, cartoon characters, dismal plot. Owen is especially bad, but then again the script gives him nothing more than pep talk to work with.

Merlin of the Crystal Cave (1991– )

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[5/10 · 17 March 2020]

Interestingly set in the times before Arthur, this is a bit more serious than the most recent young Merlin series. Historic name-dropping, beautiful Welsh scenery and clunky acting.

Sword of the Valiant (1984)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[4/10 · 17 March 2020]

After a very strong intro scene, the plot becomes a hodgepodge of childish gags. I would have preferred this to be "The Legend of the Green Knight and the Green Knight Only". Connery's chest hair alone has more charisma than the bodybuilder protagonist.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[4/10 · 17 March 2020]

Arthur and the lads messing about. It's so full of over-the-top action that the story comes up completely empty.

Arthur & Merlin (2015)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[3/10 · 17 March 2020]

There is a promise of a good bromance, but an inept script fails to milk enough out from the titular characters.

Merlin and the Book of Beasts (2009 TV Movie)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[3/10 · 17 March 2020]

Low budget and high fantasy is rarely a good combination, but this has plenty of unintentional laughs to offer. Never has Merlin sounded more Jamaican.

Merlin and the War of the Dragons (2008 Video)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[3/10 · 17 March 2020]

Massive blunders in the every domain of film making, starting from pound for pound worst special effects on this list. So woeful that it's actually funny.

Prince Valiant (1997)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[2/10 · 17 March 2020]

At some point, a crocodile in a plate mail jumps out of an indoor pool, and that's enough said about this movie. Still, a chance to see Ron Perlman.

Siege of the Saxons (1963)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[2/10 · 17 March 2020]

Saxons you say? A historically accurate Knights of the Round Table reboot perhaps? Nope, more like a tacky Knight Rider 2000 prequel.

Merlin's Apprentice (2006)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[2/10 · 17 March 2020]

Sam Neill sleepwalks through this ultimate collection of uninteresting clichés.

King Arthur: Excalibur Rising (2017)

How it compares to other Arthurian movies?

[2/10 · 17 March 2020]

The battle between Arthur's sons is ruined by cheap effects and unnecessary gore.