Summer 2004 saw the release of yet another version of the King
Arthur story. Simply called King Arthur, this new film takes place during the
last days of the Roman occupation of the island that would one day become England.
Specifically, it is set three centuries after the building of Hadrian's Wall,
which the Romans constructed to keep out the wild-eyed barbarians in the North
known as the Woads. Led by Merlin, whom some say is a sorcerer, the Woads are
vehemently anti-Roman, launching constant raids against the Empire wherever they
can. Arthur serves as the leader of the Sarmatian Knights, a group of Eastern
European warriors who have sworn their allegiance to the Empire. Each man must
serve fifteen years as a knight before they can return to their eastern homeland,
and the tour of duty for Arthur and his men is almost up.
As the film proper begins, Arthur (Clive Owen) and his men ride into battle to
protect the caravan that is transporting Bishop Germanius (Ivano Marescotti) to
their fort along Hadrian's Wall. The Bishop has their discharge papers, as well
as confirmation that the Empire is indeed leaving the Britons for good. However,
before Arthur and his men can be allowed to return home, Rome has one last
mission for them to accomplish. The Saxons have invaded far to the North of
Hadrian's Wall, pillaging and burning everything in their path. There is a Roman
noble family living in the area of the Saxon plunder, and Rome wants Arthur and
his knights to get them to safety, particularly the son, who is a favorite of the
Pope himself.
Reluctantly, Arthur and his knights head off into what is basically enemy
territory. After tangling with the Woads, who are abruptly ordered by Merlin
himself to let the Sarmatian Knights pass unharmed, Arthur and his boys arrive
at the estate and evacuate everybody, including even the prisoners who are kept
walled up in the dungeon. To the dismay of the Roman landowner, who wanted to
leave the Woads imprisoned because they dared to defy his authority, Arthur
leads his knights into the horrors of the dungeon, where they find only two
survivors, a young boy and a young Woad woman named Guinevere (Keira Knightley).
As you can see, this is a more revisionist version of King Arthur that tries to
demystify the legend, and it works superbly, while remaining an entertaining
movie. Screenwriter David Franzoni (who also co-wrote Gladiator) and director
Antoine Fuqua place the famous characters within a more realistic and gritty
timeframe that is devoid of any magic or enchantment. And while watching their
epic struggle against the Saxons, one can see how these characters--Guinevere,
Lancelot (Ioan Gruffudd), Galahad (Hugh Dancy) and Arthur--have become the legends
they are. The combat scenes are varied and extremely well done, including a gripping
battle on the surface of a frozen lake between Arthur and his men (and Guinevere)
against the Saxon infantry, which makes great use of computer generated imagery
without it being too noticeable. The cast is very solid, including Clive Owen as
Arthur and Keria Knightley is appropriately sexy and tough as a more hard-edged,
pagan Guinevere. Bors, one of Arthur's knights, is my favorite character in the
movie. Well-played by Ray Winstone, Bors is a combat-loving, bellicose
warrior who loves a good party and is an old softy at heart.
I reviewed the Director's Cut edition of King Arthur, which has an additional 15 minutes worth of footage added, and I would recommend this
version over the theatrical cut. Bear in mind that the Director's Cut is more
gory and violent than the theatrical version, which was rated PG-13 (the
Director's Cut is unrated). The DVD comes with a commentary from director Fuqua,
and contains the standard "making of" documentary, as well as a roundtable
discussion on the making of the film by some of the cast and crew. There's also
a photo gallery of behind the scenes photos, and Knight Vision, where you have
the option to watch the movie with a production trivia track. There is also an
alternative ending with an optional commentary from the director and a sample of
the Xbox game. If you want the classic Camelot tale with magic and sorcery, then
watch John Boorman's excellent Excalibur (or read T.H. White's equally great "The Once And Future
King"). But if you want a more robust, earthy take on the legend, then give King
Arthur a shot--you may find yourself as smitten as Arthur and Guinevere. --SF
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