This is yet another adaptation of the Arthurian legend but with more action than any other.
The story, as the title suggests, follows the travels of the legendary sword Excalibur through Arthurian myth.
The story starts with Excalibur being in the very powerful, and violent hands, of Uther Pendragon (Gabriel Byrne), after his death the sword took to a long years' rest in the famous stone from which it could only be drawn by the future King, this was to be Uther's son, Arthur (Nigel Terry).
Arthur uses his new found weapon to defeat the powers of evil as they invade. He also uses it to establish the court of Camelot and the great Knights of the Round Table.
We also see the swords history through Arthur's successes, and decline brought about by the knowledge of his wife's, Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi), adulterous behaviour with Sir Lancelot (Nicholas Clay).
We see the start of the Holy Grail Quest which produced many knight casualties, and the arrival of Mordred (Robert Addie), Arthur's son through an indescretion with his evil sorceress of a half-sister which could bring about his downfall.
Through this journey, Merlin (Nicol Willianson) is to hand to watch over everything.
Film
(1981) (USA / UK) 
(4 Star)
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