Excalibur - Arthur & Uryens (1981,directed by John Boorman)
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- čas přidán 28. 01. 2010
- King Arthur is a legendary British leader who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early sixth century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and his historical existence is debated and disputed by modern historians. The sparse historical background of Arthur is gleaned from various sources, including the Annales Cambriae, the Historia Brittonum, and the writings of Gildas. Arthur's name also occurs in early poetic sources such as Y Gododdin.
The legendary Arthur developed as a figure of international interest largely through the popularity of Geoffrey of Monmouth's fanciful and imaginative 12th-century Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain). Some Welsh and Breton tales and poems relating the story of Arthur date from earlier than this work; in these works, Arthur appears either as a great warrior defending Britain from human and supernatural enemies or as a magical figure of folklore, sometimes associated with the Welsh Otherworld, Annwn. How much of Geoffrey's Historia (completed in 1138) was adapted from such earlier sources, rather than invented by Geoffrey himself, is unknown.
Although the themes, events and characters of the Arthurian legend varied widely from text to text, and there is no one canonical version, Geoffrey's version of events often served as the starting point for later stories. Geoffrey depicted Arthur as a king of Britain who defeated the Saxons and established an empire over Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and Gaul. Many elements and incidents that are now an integral part of the Arthurian story appear in Geoffrey's Historia, including Arthur's father Uther Pendragon, the wizard Merlin, Arthur's wife Guinevere, the sword Excalibur, Arthur's birth at Tintagel, his final battle against Mordred at Camlann and final rest in Avalon. The 12th-century French writer Chrétien de Troyes, who added Lancelot and the Holy Grail to the story, began the genre of Arthurian romance that became a significant strand of medieval literature. In these French stories, the narrative focus often shifts from King Arthur himself to other characters, such as various Knights of the Round Table. Arthurian literature thrived during the Middle Ages but waned in the centuries that followed until it experienced a major resurgence in the 19th century. In the 21st century, the legend lives on, not only in literature but also in adaptations for theatre, film, television, comics and other media.
Excalibur is the legendary sword of King Arthur, sometimes attributed with magical powers or associated with the rightful sovereignty of Great Britain. Sometimes Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone (the proof of Arthur's lineage) are said to be the same weapon, but in most versions they are considered separate. The sword was associated with the Arthurian legend very early. In Welsh, the sword is called Caledfwlch.
In Arthurian romance, a number of explanations are given for Arthur's possession of Excalibur. In Robert de Boron's Merlin, Arthur obtained the throne by pulling a sword from a stone. In this account, the act could not be performed except by "the true king," meaning the divinely appointed king or true heir of Uther Pendragon. This sword is thought by many to be the famous Excalibur, and its identity is made explicit in the later so-called Vulgate Merlin Continuation, part of the Lancelot-Grail cycle.[7] However, in what is sometimes called the Post-Vulgate Merlin, Excalibur was given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake sometime after he began to reign. She calls the sword "Excalibur, that is as to say as Cut-steel." In the Vulgate Mort Artu, Arthur orders Girflet to throw the sword into the enchanted lake. After two failed attempts he finally complies with the wounded king's request and a hand emerges from the lake to catch it, a tale which becomes attached to Bedivere instead in Malory and the English tradition.
Malory records both versions of the legend in his Le Morte d'Arthur, and confusingly calls both swords Excalibur. The film Excalibur attempts to rectify this by having only one sword, which Arthur draws from the stone and later breaks; the Lady of the Lake then repairs it.
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#excalibur #kingarthur #excalibur1981 - Krátké a kreslené filmy
A transcendent scene. I feel pity for people who cannot appreciate it.
It is about honour.
Yes!!!!
The woke brigade would want a women playing Arthur and a trans playing Merlin 😂
Amen Brother.
It's old enough now and I've seen it so much that it might as well be the legend itself.
"Rise, King Arthur. I am your humble knight...and I swear allegiance to the courage in your veins. So strong it is, its' source must be Uther Pendragon. I doubt you no more."
That's a great line.
This is my favourite scene in the whole movie. Unlike his father, Arthur could "see into the hearts of men", and his simple faith that Uriens -a man of honour- would do the right thing, and his willingness to stake everything, including his own life, on that faith won them all over to him in a moment.
Mine too - well, after Igrayne's dance. :-)
Also when Mordred tried to get Uryen to betray Arthur he refused and was killed. Ended up being amongst the most loyal.
Watching the rest of the Knights who WERE opposed to Arthur being King, falling to their knees after this act of bravery is phenomenal
GGGritzer
Not all of them do though, a few are shown leaving in defiance after this clip ended.
RIP Nigel Terry. May the handmaidens of Avalon guard your rest.
Some have wondered if Uryens had a moment of indecision about whether to strike down Arthur or to knight him. From the moment Arthur agrees with him, Uryens is amazed and mystified at the charge made to him and the great responsibility given to him all of a sudden. See his face and how shocked he is. Uryens is not one bit some murdering mad man. He is fighting for his nobility as a Knight and he rightly believes he should not follow a lowly squire.
So it is that when Arthur agrees with him and then trusts Excalibur to him to right this situation, Uryens innately knows what he must do. When the sword is raised in to the air, it is hard to tell if it is Uryens raising it or if the sword raises his hands. Do not forget Excalibur has been forged by forces not of this world.
Uryens recognises Arthur's true Kingship upon Arthur's complete trust in him and submission to due process. In a moment Uryens goes from complete foe to epiphany as Arthur chooses him to perform the task of sanctioning him properly as King. Those moments in between Arthur's request and Uryens bestowing Knighthood are merely the dawning of Reason and Knowledge in what must be done.
+nephos100 Well you also notice before one of his commanders barks "Keep it Uryens!" ..Uryens is grasping Excalibur and he looks at it surprisingly because the sword lifts his arms, as you described, he looks in awe at that moment. Uryens arms are shaking and his armor is vibrating (and Excalibur is resonating an other-worldly sound) Uryens obviously can FEEL the immense power within his grasp. It is probably overwhelming him. Then he becomes very emotional and immediately Knights Arthur. He knows only a King can wield Excalibur, and Arthur is Uthers Son. At that moment he realizes this. Arthur had the courage and faith to hand over such immense power to put things back into order. He entrusted Uryens. The question is..would Excalibur have allowed Uryens to cut down Arthur? I would have to say probably not.
+RI Ron1n Very good insight and analysis. The details you cite are important and I overlooked them. And I agree with your view of Excalibur having a will of its own. This makes it a character all of its own, just like the Knights and others in the story.
So, I agree that Excalibur forced a will upon Uryens, but wish to add that Uryens, with his uncompromising ethics of not submitting to a lowly squire, was chosen by fate and the Sword to be the one to knight Arthur. He was the most suitable.
As to your question of whether Excalibur would have allowed Uryens to cut down Arthur, I say that fate had sealed what happened and that it was not a possibility anyway. Though, a lesser man than Uryens perhaps might have tried and as you say Excalibur would have denied this. But it was inevitable that Uryens be the agency for Arthur's rightful and necessary knighthood.
nephos100 Well said! And I completely agree. Especially about the fate part (Uryens to Knight him) All of this dawned on Uryens in seconds so you are most likely correct. It wasn't a possibility. Maybe this is why Merlin couldn't see it. "What's this?" " What's this?" Merlin sais...it was fate but the incident was an 'anomaly' One of those weird twists of fate. Excellent Nephos.
+nephos100 You ever take two opposing magnets and try to put them together? You feel them resist and 'slide' around one another's magnetic field? If Uryens was to try and strike Arthur down (which by fate he wouldn't have) but hypothetically if he did..the sword would just roll away from Arthur, like the magnet analogy. Excalibur would use the powers of nature and the cosmos to avoid the strike. So he could swing all day until exhausted without leaving a scratch on Arthur.
+RI Ron1n These analyses are good. You have alerted me to a factor that I had not clearly thought about. The look of surprise on Uryens' face as he takes the sword and it raises his hands into the air could speak of several things: firstly, he is shocked that Arthur trusts him to knight him, especially just after they were to trying to kill each other; secondly, he gets to experience the mystical power of Excalibur first hand as it exerts its power and will onto him. He barely hears his comrade shouting to him to keep it, but instead he looks intently at Arthur knowing he is the true king and that he, Uyrens, must sanction him knight and king.
Your point of Uryens' arms shaking and his armour vibrating is again an excellent point demonstrating that he is under the power and will of Excalibur. This must be totally fuelling his moment of epiphany, which is evident in his words of dawning recognition and humility of Arthur's own rightful inheritance of Excalibur and the Kingship.
In regards to the above, we have to remember that Excalibur is still prone to destruction through abuse, as was shown when Arthur misused Excalibur to beat Lancelot in their first and only fight. Fortunately, Arthur's immediate admission of using Excalibur for vanity and in rage and pride brought forth those other worldly powers, the Lady of the Lake who first presented Excalibur, to forgivingly heal the sword and make it whole again. Even Merlin was surprised at these events.
If you were a 12 year old boy in 1981 like me - this movie was the most amazing thing you had ever seen.
Yes. Formative, even.
First time I watched this I was six or seven years old. I couldn't believe what I saw. The only film that had similar impact on me was Conan the Barbarian, which I saw at similar age. With time my fascination with swords and folk tales grew and on some level it became an integral reason for me to decide to study history. I'm 33 today, this film still sends shivers down my spine. The beauty of the English language, the talent of the actors, the richness of the British folklore and the unbelievable atmosphere of this film are second to none. And Helen Mirren, my god, Helen Mirren...
Comparing this masterpiece to Conehead the Basturd is like comparing a Lamborghini with a Lada. No offense.
Ironically, both Conan: The Barbarian (1981) and Excalibur (1981) were both released in the same year. Both those hold their own unique presence in the fantasy adventure genre and rightfully so earned their places as two of the greatest films ever made. The themes, music, settings, messages, stories and everything else about them were made and told beautifully. I miss films like those that speak to not only one view points in life. But to ones very soul. We do have exceptions here and there, don't get me wrong. But films like this, along with a few others could name i wish were made with such heart.
@@nelsonguerrero1952 Actually, Conan was released the following year. But I have often viewed both movies together, or the latter within a few days of the former at most. They are both certainly the two greatest fantasy movies of the 1980s if not of all time and both are completely absorbing.
@@LordZontar Thanks for that correction and yes. Those two films standout as great fantasy adventure films to this day.
That's certainly my interpretation. I think the struggle on Uryens' face is the struggle between the desire for power and his own nobility. Nobility wins; he's just blown away by Arthur's courage and by Arthur's obvious belief in Uryens' own qualities as a man and knight.
As well as the power of excalibur
It's so rare these days to see such powerful scenes in films.
Too often, modern films are overly-sentimental, or try to manipulate the viewer too much, but this clip is on a pedestal of its own. It's just raw power and emotion.
huh? this scene is sentimental af and that's why it's beautiful. Modern films are actually lacking in sentimentality. Everything is always so ironic and mean spirited.
or ruin it with a crap joke
I love this film. It was a favorite of mine as I was growing up. The brutal and gritty battle scenes, the code of honour among the Knights, the excellent Nicol Williamson as Merlin. This scene was always my favourite, the moment where Uriens becomes awestruck and the musical score kicks in... brilliant!
He didn't even have to lift his sword against them. They could sense his worthiness of leadership, when he surrendered the sword to Uriens.
THAT...That is the mark of a real leader. To prove your worth not by force but by actions
Definately one of the most powerful scenes in cinema. Everything Merlin had orchestrated was about to be lost, but instead is vindicated. Arthur's courage when handing over Excalibur is definately evident of Uther Pendragon. Merlin's plan to "plant" a King for all men worked!
one of the greatest scenes ever in a movie.
Uryens was one of my favorite knights in the movie. He was brash, but man enough to admit that he was wrong about the boy king. He was loyal to Arthur to the end and was one of the last quest knights to look for the grail. This scene gives me chills every time I see it.
From when I was a lil guy to this very day! This scene cause my damn spine to snap in bloody half!! Once of the best scenes ever written and acted out on screen.
What an amazing movie!
Why am I overcome with emotion and tears well up in my eyes whenever this scene comes on?
single greatest movie ever made, no question
The BEST Scene from the movie "Excalibur." AWESOME
I am hard pressed to think of a more brilliant, subversive, unexpected twist of plot or character than this in all of cinema. a young king must prove himself to win the loyalty of his enemies, but what is braver than a man who entrusts his life to his enemies, or wiser than a man who has faith that his enemies are good men worth trusting.
One of my favorite scene from this movie and I have watch Excalibur more times than I can remember. This movie is one of most underrated once and why so is total mystery for me.
The Movie is too philosophical for some people.
Said it in another video and I'll say it again.Of all the King Arthur movies this one will always be my favorite.
Best depiction of the king Author story EVER!
I could not have said it better myself. The battle scenes are fantastic and amazingly realistic without to much overdoing. No over glorifying and unrealistic feats of strength. Believable to the core!!
Amazing dialogue and acting. Gives me chills everytime.
It's so easy to forget what chaos people lived in back then, how close everyone was to death and ruin. People needed a higher cause in the form of leaders and kings to gather around and feel united.
Also love the way the production combined armour from a later period with ghoulish steel S&M masks to create a mysteriously ominous world.
for me john boorman's excalibur is the best king arthur film ever 10/10
Absolut!
But great honor, true honor, and brave heroism is inspiring. Arthur showed that here and his own humility, that was what humbled Uryens and proved to him that Arthur was genuine. Arthur risked his life just to stop the fighting.
One if the greatest scenes in film history...in presenting the story..Arthur, so brave to kneel before the knight, wielding Excalibur..an incredible scene...
I saw this movie opening day! My best friend and I saw the previews and said, "We gotta see this!" Then he went and saw it a couple more times without me! But SO DID I!! We both thought the other would think us freaks for seeing it so many times. "Tom," he said to me when I found him out. "You know you've seen Excalibur too many times when you can repeat the Charm of Making from memory!"
Remember, this was just before home video and you weren't "supposed" to see movies over and over. Actually,
30 yrs old now. Most memorable movie from my childhood. I remember watching it on tv, it being on tv at friends houses. Awesome movie always loved medieval history. Young Helen Mirran yummy
One of my FAVORITE scenes EVER... Chokes me up each time!
I was 7 when it came out, been watching it for 39 years
Simply one of the best scenes from any movie!
That and the realization of the true power of the sword he holds in his hand and the reality of the depth of responsibility it takes to wield such power. Those who lust for power for its own sake become absolutely corrupt. I think Uryens grasps all of these things simultaneously as this actor portrays such a complexity of feeling in such a emotionally charged moment. This explains Uryens extent of dedication to the cause as a Grail Knight later in the movie. He gives all for the Land.
Possibly the greatest movie scene of all time!
I like how Arthur changes from a idiotic squire to a great and wise king and this scene which he gets Uryens to knight him shows that transition.
Am I the only one who can appreciate Arthur’s physics defying leap? That, along with Uryen’s change of heart made this scene for me.
Most beautiful scene thats I've seen.
He was impressed by Arthur's trust in him by serving under him he knows he will hold gracious office. It isn't everyday you meet someone as bold and trustworthy as Arthur. In many ways he was the man Uryen was waiting for.
It's possible this scene was heavily inspired by John the Baptist
this great scene is my favorite, gives me a shiver every time
Legendary scene from one of my favourite films thanks for uploading.
I never saw it that way at all. I saw it as the momentary struggle between a noble knight's ambition + pride and his acknowledgement and acceptance of the brave future king putting all his faith and trust in him.
It's an extremely proud moment for Uryens. Here's the future and destined king handing him Excalibur and asking him to knight him, and after he openly denied him! A truly noble knight would do exactly as he did, no magic necessary.
And Uryens is a truly noble knight. I love the moment he switches his grip on Excalibur from attack to blessing mode. It's literally watching him overcome temptation and salute Arthur's courage.
This movie was part of my childhood..no movie has touched me more then this one
One of my Top Five movie scenes ever... beautiful.
One of the greatest scenes in Movie history. Ive seen it 100 times throughout my life and it effects me every single time.
done right, with the proper studio backing and faithfulness to the original tales, arthuriana could make for the greatest series ever made. If only
That is my favourite scene! Thank you
Quite honsetly, I watch movies every two seconds....this scene has resonated with me more than a thousand times...this is one of my favorite movies ever, and this movie one of the best I have ever seen
Arthur.."I care not for your mercy..." just brilliant.
My favorite classic version!
Still one of the most powerful scenes in film
Truly outstanding test of Uriens' honour.
Arthur like his father Uther had to be willing to compromise and yield to his foes. By doing this it showed he had strength, courage and the willingness to unify the kingdom by compassion instead of tyranny. This is a great scene from a great movie.
Almost as good as Abduction from the Seraglio in Amadeus and John Preston hearing Beethoven in Equilibrium. Watch this scene again and hear Uryens armor creaking as he shakes while holding the Sword of Power. It goes to work on him draining the bloodlust of battle and helping him to see clearly. Just my 2 cents!
Euryens moment of revelation,this is a fantastic & brilliant film,easily the best of the King Arthur stories. The backdrops,filmed in Ireland were magnificent. Much of Ireland is still relatively un-spolit,the lush,verdant greenary,the damp,the mud & fighting in a moat! all made this film much more representative of what pre-Saxon Britain might have looked like.
Hands down one of the greatest movies ever made
Exactly! Very well stated. One doesn't see that kind of nobility these days, unfortunately. Saw this film in theaters in 1981, and have never forgotten this scene for that very reason.
Still one of my favorite movies!
This scene never tires
I get goose bumps every time!!
Great comments by the way and terrific insights. This movie has so many dimensions under the surface.
Some great analysis and thoughts on this. Powerful scene. Great movie.
Such a great Scene
Hard to think of a greater scene in all cinema. It is such an inventive moment in a great imagining of the legend. Nicol Williamson who was Oscar worthy in this brillant role as Merlin died today making me recall the moment that even Merlin "never saw". Great story telling.
I have watched it endlessly ;)
Man, third great commenter since i was last here. Bunch of you popped up all at once! True fans and understanders of the rule of law.
If only men were still of this character
This is what is best in Cinema!
one of the finer moments in this fantastic and most wonderful movie
Such an amazing scene!!!!
it is indeed
I saw this movie opening day! My best friend and I saw the previews and said, "We gotta see this!" Then he went and saw it a couple more times without me! But SO DID I!! We both thought the other would think us freaks for seeing it so many times. "Tom," he said to me when I found him out. "You know you've seen Excalibur too many times when you can repeat the Charm of Making from memory!"
Remember, this was just before home video and you weren't "supposed" to see movies over and over. Actually, Star Wars in '76 was one of the first movies to change that cultural prejudice.
I must add once more...this scene is the peak of manliness...no other will do
This has to be one of the best scene of the movie
Love this scene
The righteous power of Excalibur and Arthur's courage overwhelmed Uryens. He had no choice but to submit. Honour and courage wins over lust for power in men's hearts. Wish we were like this these days.
Best scene of my fav movie, by far.
Excalibur, la mejor película de la historia. Y ésta, la mejor secuencia.
Exactly, excellent post.
Actually the best scene in a very good film.
best film of all time
never gets old
It's more than that, though. It's the sheer balls and respect of a man who trusts his life to the nobility of another, and puts the hope of a peaceful resolution above the worth of his own life. Arthur's actions also show that he believes in the qualities of Uryens even though the man is currently his enemy. That is the mark of a true leader, and Uryens can see this.
Very good!!!
I agree, my favourite scene from a favourite movie.
chills.
We saw it a couple more times together. And when it went to the dollar theater we went a couple more times as well. I memorized whole swatches of Nicol Williamsons' lines. Still some of the greatest in cinema.
"Looking at the cakes is like looking at the future. What do you really know until you've tasted. And then, it's too late!" Pause. Arthur bites. Sigh. "Too late."
Ag
personne de notre époque n'aurait survécu à ces temps où la sauvagerie était exacerbé à un point extraordinaire ! l'honneur semble être un concept démodé et c'est pourtant lui qui accorde sa dignité à l'homme!
This is still my favorite version of King Arthur's saga... I hated the King Arthur movies that were made in the 90's and early 2000's...
Imagine the knight who died in this battle looking down like damn now we are friends.
Such is conflict and the strength of men lies in forgiveness and pragmatism
Awesome!
This!
THIS!
Best freakin scene of the whole movie :D
Another great insight and comment.
a great scene.
Arthur spared Uryens and put himself into Uryens’ power. His display of nobility and courage was a direct challenge to Uryen’s own nobility and courage. If Uryens had struck Arthur down with Excalibur, then Uryens would show himself as a cowardly man who took base advantage and would be thus unworthy of being a “noble knight”. Uryen’s great pride as a noble knight had refused to swear faith to a squire - but Arthur turned that around to give Uryens no choice but to acknowledge him as king.
This is a masterpiece. In my top ten.
masterpiece
Maybe the magic of Excalibur wasn't that it physically prevented Uryens from striking down Arthur but rather it had the power to change Uryens heart. Either way - a masterpiece of film making.