Search - King Arthur: The Young Warlord on DVD

A Unique Arthur

Daniel Scallon | 03/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This thrilling film throws out every traditional hollywood portrait of Arthur. Gone are the Knights of the Round Table, Guinevere and Lancelot, Mordred, the traditional drawing of the sword in the stone, and (sadly) even Merlin. Gone too are the flamboyant robes, roman armor, and well-lit scenes of previous (actually later) films.

What you get is an impressive attempt to paint life as it was: Camelot is a primitive village and Arthur has plenty to do as a shrewd and determined warrior-king among many such kings with whom he both allies and uses for his own ends (noble of course).

In keeping with history, the story is set during the Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain after Rome has withdrawn (500 A.D. or so). In terms of storyline The Young Warlord does not follow a single plot, but is more episodes of Arthur's dealings with his people, the rival kings, and the Saxons.

In short if you want a historical view see this film; if you want hollywood there are plenty other films to pick from."

If only this was the full series

Daiku | USA | 03/11/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I actually couldn't decide whether to leave 2 or 3 stars. In the end I went with three because it was either a gift or a didn't fully read the description.



I wasn't expecting much in the realm of cinematics and sound. After all, this was made in 1972-3 - and by the BBC no less - but hey, I'm an Arthurian buff (both the fantasy based as well as the various attempts at the more probable historical Arthurs). This was of the latter sort and sticking fairly close with history while imbuing Arthur with a different sort of magic, i.e. intelligent forethought.



My main grievance with this DVD is, as I mentioned, the fact that this is NOT the entire series, it is an entire series crammed down into two hours. When credits started rolling I thought it signalled the end of the pilot. Again, I'm not sure how I missed this fact except if I had received it as a gift. Regardless, assuming the ending that I did see was essentially the ending of the series in Britain; well, it would seem that I would be doomed nonetheless by that wonderful feeling of, "What do you mean it's been cancelled? I want to know how certain things end up, here!"



I suppose it doesn't matter who I might recommend this to as I noticed that Amazon is no longer stocking these."

Boring

Sabatini Paola | Rome, Italy | 03/27/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is a reduction of the original show made by collecting some episodes and sometimes only screen-shots of episodes, kept together by a narrator who tells the story of Arthur and the Celts.



Maybe it is this puzzle like way chosen to present the show that makes it odd, but in any case it is a movie too much aged (in acting and colors) and the entire story is quite boring.

"