By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on July 18, 2026)

Excalibur – Arrow Video

Eclectic director John Boorman tried his hand at adventure-fantasy in this umpteenth version of the King Arthur legend, with varying results (mostly good). Although purists might see it as bit of a Cliff Notes take (and granted, there are some jarring jumps in the narrative), I think this is one case in which style trumps substance.

Photographed in a gauzy, dreamlike haze (by Alex Thomson, who also shot Legend and Labyrinth), the film is buoyed by a marvelous cast, including Nigel Terry, Nicol Williamson, Gabriel Byrne, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, and the great Helen Mirren (as a deliciously evil Morgana). One thing’s for sure-there’s more sex and violence than previous versions of the Arthurian legend, and more emphasis on the darker aspects of the tale.

I already owned the 2011 Warner Blu-ray release, but it had a so-so transfer and was skimpy on extras. Not so this Arrow reissue, which boasts a sparkling 4K restoration (presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1 for the first time on home video) and a plethora of special features. Extras include both the 141-minute Theatrical Cut and the 120-minute TV Version of the film, a never before released 48-minute documentary directed by Neil Jordan during the production, several commentary tracks, and a number of new interviews and featurettes.