Excalibur's symphonic ending

,,,from Boorman's epic, symphonic film Excalibur.
This video's music ending is from Richard Wagner's Götterdämmerung: Siegfried's Funeral March (Twilight of the Gods)
• Richard Wagner: Siegfr...
(This short clip is for art appreciation purpose only. Video/audio monetized by copyright owners).
Buy the full movie at:
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exc5b mp3endnrm0 128k deleteoldend2 origendst1 9fde vol+5 7 br+10

[@alaskanharleyman7468]

A movie that can NEVER be remade.

[@SilverScribe85]

Agreed

[@xangoroth]

I agreed too

[@tryscience]

Certainly not with the same actors

[@joncooke9515]

Don’t let Disney hear that.

[@Dutchball]

@@joncooke9515 Indeed, Disney will cast Lizzo as Arthur and Timothee Chalamet as Guenievere, Lancelot to be likely played by a blind, wheelchair driving dual-amputee trans from Sri Lanka.

[@thunderbolt2145]

That final extreme long shot of the barge carrying Arthur to Avalon, is one of the most beautiful endings in cinema.

[@daustin8888]

A scene that not even CGI could improve

[@mick2spic]

How did they even do it with the sun shining on that one spot? Magical scene

[@tommiller4749]

goosebumps.............

[@southwestkinema9149]

It is.

[@brucass93]

⭐

[@Lshaw89]

Spare a thought for Perceval. The humblest knight; a peasant. The most loyal, true and chivalric of them all. He did not fall as Lancelot did. The only one to come back from the grail quest. The only one to bear witness to Arthur’s passing to Avalon. The only one to watch as magic fades from the world. The only one who will bring Arthur’s legend to the world. The loneliness incomparable he must feel.

[@23Revan84]

Let’s not forget he stood in for Lancelot for the Queen when he was just a Squire. Perceval is an amazing character, sad to he saw the end of all but then again all things must come to an end.

[@23Revan84]

Not mention the last one to hold Excalibur and his last quest was to return it.

[@frozenyogurt3]

I cry every time.

[@nealrose7582]

Pure of heart.

[@jessesmith-garcia5313]

Percival is now and always will be my favorite Knight of The Round Table.

[@pspboy7]

The only good King Arthur film ever made in my opinion....

[@artygunnar]

pspboy7 the only one!

[@artygunnar]

pspboy7 you have to admit, using wagner as the OST really makes a difference

[@sadlobster1]

pspboy7 What of Disney's The Sword in the Stone or Knights of the Round Table

[@CroPETROforeverHR]

pspboy7 Im here, don't worry :) when time comes... I will come back XD

[@MarylandBear1]

pspboy7 Not Monty Python and the Holy Grail? Okay, Excalibur is the best *serious* King Arthur film...

[@FightingSheep1]

The climax as Percival throws the sword sailing end over end against the dark forestry background, music at its richest, and the Lady of the Lake catches it.... Holds it high momentarily, then takes it under is simply incredible. Chills every time.

[@ddland45]

One of the greatest scenes ever filmed. The men, the music, the moment, the 'Lady in the Lake'. Emotional and powerful, it stands the test of time just like the legend......

[@ADZ01982]

Well said friend.

[@evertonporter7887]

Those scenes have a definite finality to them. We know that Arthur's journey is over and his story is at an end.

[@pmjhns]

The sword.

[@50srefugee]

@@evertonporter7887 "definite finality" No, my friend, and I just realized it for the first time. Percival casts Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake, and she takes it away for safe-keeping, to Wagner's theme for Seigfried's funeral. It is not lost, Arthur had explained, "One day...the Sword will rise again." But when Percival returns to Arthur to make his report, Arthur himself is lost--until Percival sees him being taken away across the Lake to the same theme. Because Arthur's full quote is "One day a King will come, and the Sword will rise again," I believe Boorman's intent here is to indicate that Arthur himself will be that retuning King, as foreshadowed by Guinevere's keeping of the Sword for him against his return from the Wilderness. I am constantly amazed at the profound insights this story reveals.

[@dickrichards9650]

The once, and future king.

[@ShadowArtist]

Rest in Peace Nigel Terry. You were an AMAZING Arthur Pendragon

[@susanleitch8649]

Nigel Terry played Arthur...not Uther.

[@alvaroanton636]

susan leitch read it again

[@white-dragon4424]

Yes, although some people deny it, King Arthur was also called Arthur Pendragon.

[@stevenm3823]

He is the ONLY one I think about when I hear "King Arthur"

[@kevinchambers17]

didn't know he was gone. Requiescat in pace. Rex quondam, rex futurus - hic iacet supultus in insula Avolonia inclitus rex Arturus.

[@antonioallen1763]

MAJESTIC. Still, one of the most moving moments in in cinema history... All of it. The acting, scenes, music.. Will we ever see the likes of this version of Arthur again. God bless the late Nigel Terry.

[@Siegfried5846]

It is not good at all! This is theft!

[@onemondaynight]

The frame where the Lady of the Lake holds Excalibur for a moment before taking it into the water is a masterpiece of three-point composition. The sword and her arm are off-center in the frame (and perfectly, elegantly straight), the setting sun to the right above (is it setting or is it rising? ), the lake completing the foreground...it's cinematic beauty the likes of which we seldom see anymore. And the smooth, sudden motion with which the arm and sword slip under the water with barely a ripple, all timed to Wagner's beautiful score! Like many of you, I also saw this in 1981. I was 13, I had just read Lord of the Rings for the first time that year, I was enraptured by the realm of fantasy, and then I saw this!

[@klausbrinck2137]

Concider yourself lucky, that even at the young age of 13, you began this trip with a film for adults, instead of a children-film/subject, like LOTR. I watched it around 1986, being 7, and that spared me watching LOTR, cause I then was 22, and an adult... ;-)

[@ArcanePath360]

A beautiful time to be alive. I was slightly younger at 7.

[@alanhope1190]

I tear up every time I watch it. The image and the music… beautiful beyond words.

[@stuartburns8657]

Yes this. Played such a formative role in my tastes.

[@steelers6titles]

Arthur dies at dawn (Tennyson, Idylls Of The King)

[@DopeAsThePope1]

Here we are in 2023........ A movie so GREAT, it still hasn't been remade!

[@alaskanharleyman7468]

It can never be remade. Anything else would pale in comparison. The chemistry of the actors is just phenomenal.

[@Joseph-og9jh]

no need to

[@bixster2260]

Have a DVD of this, saw it when it first came out. Only 2004’s King Arthur is comparable. The music at the end was composed by Richard Wagner, whose music is used in many movies.

[@garcia207]

Give Disney time to redo it and make it Woke. I’m not counting The Sword and the Stone because that is a family friendly movie.

[@kurtl8425]

@@garcia207Disney would never remake this. Everyone is white and there are only two women. One cheats on her husband with his best friend and the other screws her brother.

[@antarcticaresearchprogram8349]

I love that Percival rides to the lake, but can't bring himself to throw the sword away until he has reassurance from Arthur.

[@steelers6titles]

In Malory and Tennyson, Sir Bedevere throws Excalibur into the lake. He is the only Round Table knight left.

[@uj8348]

Fun fact: Boorman had his crew sit and watch Gilliam's 'Jabberwocky' a dozen times prior to making this film! It's rare that the Spirit of this land is evoked successfully in art, but Excalibur pulls it off! And as for Siegfried's Funeral March... utterly magnificent - if it doesn't move you, you must be dead!

[@thoughtheglass]

no way!!!!! i love jaberwocky- i'll rewatch it to see the connection!\

[@Leg-xx5md]

If there is a movie that takes me back to the 80s and the dark ages, this is it. I have watched this movie a 100 times over the years.

[@Carthaginian60]

And all the while this is playing out, the sun behind is setting on the dream of Camelot. And that last scene? Straight out of a medieval tapestry.

[@kaguth]

Percival is really the greatest Knight in this version of the Legend, he stays true to Arthur until the end.

[@barbarossa2939]

You oaf! What a despicable thing to say about one of the greatest myths.

[@Robert399]

"This version" doesn't exist outside of this film. Two large changes in this scene alone: Arthur spears Mordred who runs up the spear and slashes Arthur on the head with his sword and the last surviving knight is Bedivere not Percival.

[@JohnPKING-nj8nc]

""This version" doesn't exist outside of this film." They didn't even have knight's armor for 800 years or more later after Arthur's time. Also there were elements from other stories - Athur placing his sword between Lancelot and Guinevere was from Tristan and Isolt. These are tímeless myths - the theme of transitioning between older pagan beliefs and Christianity could be applied to different countries and parts of the world. Christianity arrived later in Scandinavia than in Britain - the Norse myths animated the Viking culture ( and the Wagnerian music used in the movie was based on Germanic and Norse mythology ). It was later still that Christianity fully arrive in Russia - paganism survived there much later into the middle ages. One of the reasons Christianity started to appeal to Scandinavians was due to the Crusades - their Norse god Thor was symbolized often with the sword - they even tried to argue that the sword and the cross were connected symbolically - which is an interesting stretch - in fact you don't even see symbols of Christianity per se - you just hear Merlin speak about how the old gods only live on in people's minds. The story is transmitted visually and symbolically but that is often how "the word" of Christianity was conveyed - you don't see much reading and writing. The characters are living out their own myths and find themselves coming around to resolving the strife and conflict in their lives by adopting Christian like brotherhood, knightly honor, the quest for the Holy Grail - loss and betrayal - there's a pretty strong visceral feeling of living out human drama while still bound to earthly nature yet seeking a kind of universal spirit connection and communion.

[@white-dragon4424]

Actually, they didn't even have kings or knights until after 1066. Arthur would've been a Celtic chieftain, and even the Germanic-Scandinavian Saxons had jarls and thanes (yes, just like in Skyrim).

Galahad was the best knight, in every official legend. His description is “the greatest and most perfect of all knights”. There is no debate over this.

[@eusou526]

By far the best King Arthur movie I've ever seen. I have never forgotten feelings of pure ecstasy at this grand finale. Masterpiece

[@gunhed76]

Made me cry as a little boy, makes me cry as a man , and its hard for me to cry

[@silversurfer3806]

+Jason Artiga me too. wonderful movie!

[@nelliethursday1812]

It stirs the heart I cry every time as well this movie will never be matched.Perfect music score perfect acting.

[@discotanzo]

+Jason Artiga this movie gets to me in a way very few do.

[@Konrad_Wallenrod]

+Jason Artiga the ultimate guy-cry movie!

[@steveN111333]

why is it hard for you to cry?

[@Valhalla369]

this movie was unforgettable. by far the best that depicted the arthurian legend. it had a surrealism about it that was simply magical. Rest in peace, Nigel Terry! You made arthur very real to us!

[@ConspiracistLizardMan]

That moment when the Lady extends her hand out of the water, waiting for the sword, gives me chills through my spine. What a beautiful ending.

[@Siegfried5846]

It's not any good

[@Siegfried5846]

@@uwebiernacki It isn't any good and you'd know that if you branched out. It doesn't even have original music.

[@uwebiernacki]

​​@@Siegfried5846 you're alone with your "opinion". This scene is a masterpiece. And Wagner's music fits perfectly. You wouldn't complain about "Ride of the valkyries" being used in the iconic "Apocalypse now" scene, would you? And keep in mind this is a 42y movie-scene uploaded in shitty quality to youtube. It doesn't do it justice even the slightest...

[@Siegfried5846]

@@uwebiernacki Yes, I would complain about that. Wagner deserves better than to be associated with mass murder by deranged, leftist communists in "Apocalypse Now", or with violent, distasteful, doomsday prophesies by deranged, rightist theocrats in "Excalibur".

[@phadley78tube]

​@@uwebiernackiwell said! 😉👍

[@8digitPDX]

As a total work of art depicting the Arthurian legend, nobody has outdone this production. Hopefully someday it can be enhanced and re-released in high definition.

[@TheBlackswanwhite]

+8digitPDX this is closest to god in scence of movies

[@Biblicalgiants]

..yes..i believe this is John Boorman's best film..

[@Konrad_Wallenrod]

+8digitPDX aaaaaah.....but where's my obligatory Hollywood happy ending??? How dare they ?? Arthurian legend has always been a happy story about perfect people and idyllic lives!!!!

[@residentgrigo4701]

Say Hello to Batman v Superman ;-)

[@al_fletcher]

+Konrad Wallenrod Oh come off it; Arthur's earliest mentions include the strife at Camlann where he and "Medraut" both die, and we all know the Saxons won in the end

[@julio_scissors]

The music, the glistening armor, the loyalty of Percival, the bravery of Arthur's knights, the beautiful landscapes... every time I watch this it moves me very deeply.

[@Jake_Moreno]

You are not kidding. This movie was way ahead of its time. Soundtrack score and all.

[@josefzack4617]

wow! lucky you and i mean that truly.

[@ThrashRoC]

one of my ABSOLUTE fvourite Movies ...

[@caddidon]

My absolute favorite too, I first watched this when I was 13, it hasn't left me since. Everything you mentioned, all the virtues are what's lacking not only in today's society but also in today's cinematography

[@gilo1303]

Very well said. Thank you for articulating what I could not do myself about this film.

[@december2364]

"One day, a King will come and the sword will rise". I reckon it's time for that King.

[@OptimisticCynic715]

Prince Charles!

[@1981_Reacts]

Its price william the one and true next king

[@ADZ01982]

its trump

[@JJBushfan]

I reckon it's time you grew up.

[@bluerisk]

King Harry with a Nazi-uniform...

[@marquiswallace9957]

They don’t make movies like this anymore. And sadly probably never will.

[@lordeli8866]

One of the greatest films ever made a true Epic

[@JLICHTIII]

I'm 51 and I have watched this movie so many times and today it is still a magnificent piece of work

[@Milordvega]

The sequence starting from 3:09 - simply majestic. The great Wagner music, change of key, the scene of the Lady in the Lake, Percival throwing the sword... I saw this in 1981 or early 1982 and STILL remember the exact moment I was in the theater watching this epic scene.

[@ItsAHedgehog]

+Ed Vega , me too! This scene is just about perfect. Although I've always wondered what would have happened had Percival thrown Excalibur away from the Lady's arm...

[@Milordvega]

Hahaha, maybe the arm would have stretched?

[@johnlewis9158]

This is one of my favourite scenes. Wagner's music is indeed very moving. That said their is a bit of a contradiction. Arthur is all about chivalry and Wagner was a Nazi

[@TheShadowcat6969]

+john lewis umm Wagner died in 1883

[@johnlewis9158]

let me rephrase that. had he been around in Hitler's time he would have been called a Nazi. He was a anti semantic and a racist. It was no coincidence that the Nazi party adopted is music. Indeed Hitler was a massive fan of his

[@lamorte42]

When the sword disappears back into the water, we know that the magic is gone from the world. Not forever, just gone for now. One day a King will come and the sword will rise again.

[@Andy-dz7us]

I can't see that happening anytime soon........... Sad but true.

[@Berocca64]

Hope.........

[@pieluvr7362]

Yes and soon

[@seanmoran2743]

That England was Fatally wounded in 1914 😢

[@rc166honda]

The sword did rise again it was made by Rolls Royce, Hawkers and Supermarine.

[@toressm]

We need King Arthur and Excalibur now, more then ever.

[@artygunnar]

NYCR Fear not! I have come!

[@sadlobster1]

NYCR Agreed, our current leaders act cowardly and resort to the most dishonorable of decisions

[@sadlobster1]

NYCR Agreed, our current leaders act cowardly and resort to the most dishonorable of decisions. Such things are no way to inspire people to follow your example

[@sadlobster1]

Ron Inbar Excuse me?

[@RonInbar]

That's how Hitler sold himself to the German people: as a reincarnation of the mythological hero Siegfried, the protagonist of Wagner's Der Ring Des Nibelungen.

[@andreweff1284]

"I saw nothing...but the wind on the water." For whatever reason, I find this quote amazingly poetic in its integrity.

[@timothybaxter7392]

+Andrew Fiedler Every now and then a phrase touches us all. When it does all we can do is react, live and grow. I hope I can grow when that phrase hits me. If it already has I hope I have.

[@johnhobson9165]

Even though Percival is lying.

[@andreweff1284]

@@johnhobson9165 I don't think he was lying; he was explaining to Arthur that he didn't (couldn't) cast the sword into the water...it was true that all he saw was the wind on the water, because without throwing the sword...of *course* he would see nothing except the wind and water. He then immediately explained that he couldn't allow Excalibur to be lost. Just because he described what happened slightly out of order doesn't mean he was telling a lie.

[@LordVader1094]

@@johnhobson9165 He wasn't though. He was stating that he didn't throw the sword in. So what Arthur wanted to hear (the Lady of the Lake rising to take the sword) wasn't there.

[@klausbrinck2137]

@@andreweff1284 Exactly therein liies the poetry. If he was technically lying or not, is collateral. Arthur seems to have directly understood him the way you interpreted it, which underlines, that if Percival tried to lie, he did it good, since Arthur wasn´t angry at him, he probably also just enjoyed the poetry, at that moment... ;-)

[@placeboing]

Amazing ending.

[@discotanzo]

happy to see you're also a fan of this fantastic movie!

[@rmrolla]

This is what we call a Master piece

[@sadlobster1]

@@discotanzo In my eyes, this is THE King Arthur movie to watch. Meaning that thus far, this is the only movie to capture the legend in all the right ways

[@discotanzo]

@@sadlobster1 I couldn't say it better.

[@JohnPKING-nj8nc]

unforgettable - it was filmed in mostly in Ireland - most people thought Ireland was the end of the world. Nowadays people think of Game of Thrones as the first brilliant use of Irish landscape to tell these stories - I forgot how magical the Irish countryside looks. I've read that Brittany is just as amazing. Speaking of Game of Thrones - today is the day the final season ( and dreaded spoilers in the news - I'm usually slow to get around to watch GOT ).

[@joydivsion77]

Using Wagner was brilliant. I seriously get teary-eyed everytime I see this.

[@billpryor8764]

Could never use that music today what happened to our world

[@joydivsion77]

@@billpryor8764 why not?

[@dougbrowne9890]

@@joydivsion77 The woke would declare it fascist.

[@joydivsion77]

@@dougbrowne9890 The woke can kiss my ass.

[@landochabod7]

@@dougbrowne9890 Get real.

[@broaddusmarines]

I let my son watch this when he was about nine years old (skipped the sex scene though). Even at nine, he was totally transfixed on the movie. I watched him go through the emotion roller coaster I went through when I first watched it when I was his age in the early 80s. At the end he was totally silent with his mouth hanging open for about five minutes, then finally said “that movie was sad, but I loved it”. What a masterpiece of a movie that still stands the rest of time, even almost 40 years later.

[@dougbrowne9890]

Took a course in science fiction, in high school. Teacher always showed a film, that students would watch and study, to be tested on. We chose Excalibur to watch. He was disappointed but allowed it. We all had to have parents sign a permission slip, because he didn't want to have to edit the nudity out. Only one student didn't get parental permission, so he had to go to study hall during the viewings. This was in 1982.

[@northlightartists]

For me the chills start at 2:36 when Arthur says 'the sword will rise again", and Wagner's music turns towards the crescendo.

[@henrygibbons2354]

The music at that point is the Nothung leitmotif - Siegfried’s sword in the Ring Cycle. The whole scene is built around Siegfried’s Funeral March from the end of Götterdämmerung.

[@uncleeric3317]

I would love to see this in a theater full of hardcore fans… the sword shall rise again….

[@maryhaddock9145]

Let's sort that out!

[@codystarbuck3761]

Saw this movie as a child in 1981. 40+ years later it still remains the best Arthurian legend movie ever made.

[@xangoroth]

I cry

[@tempestates13]

I have yet to sit my boys down with this one after watching Seven Deadly Sins and its spinoff.

[@ataulhaadi35]

Same

[@dontuno]

Just "re-discovered" this incredible film. Remember being in awe of it first time around not least because of how Wagner's music was interlaced in the various scenes. Absolutely one of the best films ever!

[@cleocatra9324]

I never knew this was Wagner, very fitting sounds somewhat in the mists of time

[@CtrlAltDelite]

I don't know why the final image of Arthur on the ship is so powerful to me. It's like an emotional hammer.

[@TaraAnn-fb4xd]

I so agree. It looks like a pre-Raphaelite painting.

[@amethyst7084]

Took me years to work out that the accompanying orchestration is Wagner's 'Siegfried's funeral march'. It fits this last scene so well! 🎼👏🏾⭐❤

[@Siegfried5846]

I'm sure that the superman music would fit the Spiderman films. Does that mean that it would have been alright to use it? No, it's theft.

[@human2.046]

I've got to admit. This has always been one of my most favourite films. I was so upset that there was never a soundtrack for the movie so I ended up making my own, and thus, fell in love with classical music all over again.I also developed a mad crush on Nigel Terry and just realized from all the previous posts that he passed away earlier this year...so another heartbreak for me. ( I had always hoped I would meet him one day)

[@schubertuk]

There WAS a soundtrack for the movie. I have a copy! Although a lot of Wagner & Orff are used, there is a surprising amount of original music made for the film by Trevor Jones - including Igrayne's wonderful dance music.

[@gruffmeister44]

No other movie OOZES atmosphere like this classic.Others try and others fail.

[@willlyon7129]

They don't make movies like they use too.

[@johnschwab3749]

I dunno, I would argue Ridley Scott nailed atmosphere in Alien, Blade Runner, Legend and his first film The Duelists. Michael Mann nailed it in Last of the Mohicans. Denis Villeneuve's Sicario was pretty mind-blowing for atmosphere, and with any luck he'll nail it again in the rumored Dune remake.

[@surfersilver6610]

​@@johnschwab3749 All those movies you mentioned were made around the era Excalibur was made in the 1980's, early 1990's and not 7 years ago(2015) when the OP made his comment.

[@free322001]

@@johnschwab3749 "Alien" was 1979. "Excalibur" was 1981. "Blade Runner" 1982. His point is well taken.

[@RCAvhstape]

Got to hand it to England. They've got one of the best origin myths out there as most countries go.

[@barbarossa2939]

Unfortunately it is. From what we know there was a leader of a war band called Artorius who might have been an Anglo-Saxon who might have died at the battle of Badon Hill. As you see, lots of conditionals and we don't even know where Badon Hill is!

[@RCAvhstape]

Bubo 25 In America we adopt Indian (Native American) names and mythology for all sorts of stuff. Most army helicopters, many ships, names of towns and states, etc. Even though the creation of the Americas led to the downfall of native Indian society. So it's not out of sorts to adopt the best myths from local lore as your own, even if it's only yours by geography and not by blood relation.

[@Nerdcrusher]

Instead you got Cromwell and Churchill, and the world still suffers.

[@bazzatheblue]

Trazan Apansson Churchill.?

[@1SaG]

Too bad a lot of it actually came from the French... :P

[@lam533]

This film should be mandatory viewing for all boys aged 12-18 so they can learn a little something about masculinity.

[@thecodeofvigilance1624]

And... how to keep it in the family... if you know what I mean...

[@MrProsat]

you said it, bro.

[@conorohara5481]

I'd say beginning at age 8.

[@Ishmachiah]

Just boys in western nations perhaps. We in the east, don't have masculinity issues.

[@somr1972]

I repeatedly watched this movie from the age of 9 and King Arthur was my main role model. I even had an ex-bf, who exclaimed during a patio project we were working on, "Would you let me be the man!" Lol.

[@HammerdownProtocol]

I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying!

[@helenjourde9033]

Damn right I'm crying. Every time.

[@luisr.6543]

Gay

[@grossebastos9415]

@@luisr.6543 Chad *

[@theGhoulman]

Aside from the music... There's some of Akira Kurosara in John Boorman's film here, I gotta say. I've never heard anyone mention an influence, but I gotta wonder. This film really needs to get the high def, Blue Ray, whatever, it's REALLY effective if you can see the green (speaking as someone who's old enough to have seen this in a theatre!). It was filmed in Ireland and Boorman really used it's palate like a painter. Just a wonderful film in an era that didn't expect it.

[@drjohnson98]

Yes. Boorman really emphasized the green. Seems to have been a touchstone for him. He did the same in Deliverance and The Emerald Forest. All three are great, but Excalibur is in a class of its own.

[@Martok77]

This was always a highly underrated movie, much better than many gave it credit for and far superior to the vast majority of current film fare.

[@GerdBMHansen]

My absolute number one favourite movie.

[@Lilielfo]

Rest in peace, Nigel Terry! The best Arthur.

[@Gorilla_Jones]

" Come father, let us embrace at last" This is filmmaking on a level we've sadly lost. Embrace these classic works of art, for you will never see their like again.

[@dalemcilwain]

That was Robert Addie. He later was cast in Robin Of Sherwood TV series as Guy of Gisburne. Addie died in 2003 at the age of 43 of lung cancer.

[@billpryor8764]

Amen

[@Restitutor_Orbis_214]

@@dalemcilwain He was superb as Mordred and Guy of Gisburne.

[@dalemcilwain]

@@Restitutor_Orbis_214 Of Course. I've seen both.

[@TTony-tu6dm]

It was actually Bedivere who returned the sword to the lake. Boorman combined the characters of Bedivere and Percival as they were important characters and he also wanted to touch on The Fisher King legend which featured Percival. Such a rich an varied legend with so many characters it’s amazing how much Boorman got into a two hour movie. A crowning achievement and a beautiful film

[@gmmakesmehurl]

Excalibur ending set to Wagner's Gotterdammerung. One of the greatest films in recent history with some of the greatest English actors.

[@773SleepyHollow]

English, Scottish, Irish, and probably Welsh actors.

[@gmmakesmehurl]

Yeah I erroneously included them all as English. My mistake. I know for sure that the actress who portrayed Guinevere is Irish, As is Gabriel Byrne. As well as many of the extras, being it was filmed in Tipperary. Nicol Williamson was born in Scotland.

[@773SleepyHollow]

Dustin Mitchell And let's not forget Liam Neeson, who is Irish, or Patrick Stewart, who is Scottish. (And if we wanted to get really technical we could mention that Helen Mirren is Russian on her father's side.)

[@773SleepyHollow]

773SleepyHollow Oops, I see that I got Patrick Stewart wrong... I thought he was from Scotland, but he was born and raised in England. (As I guess you already knew.) Now, "Stewart" and his mother's maiden name (Barrowclough) are Scottish names, but google tells me that his family has been in England for a number of generations (on his mother's side at least, I didn't read much about his father's ancestors), so there's a good chance that he has a lot of English ancestry, perhaps more than his Scottish ancestry. At some point, of course, I guess you can say how much does it matter... some members of the Royal Family are more non-English than English in terms of the percentages of their ancestry, but hell, they're still English for practical purposes.

[@j.peters3053]

yes great flick and soundtrack,the ending is the best..super actors in this....

[@chrisholland7367]

Wagner, Siegfried's funeral march .An incredible piece of music.

[@Siegfried5846]

Written for a much better story (the ring cycle)

[@michaelkirkpatrick7483]

3:27 is an amazing moment for me. 41 years later after I first witnessed it in an old style movie theatre, I still get a rush from it that's hard to describe.

[@Vaelsung1]

It's "Siegfried's Funeral March" from Richard Wagner's opera "Goetterdaemerung" (Twilight of the Gods), the 4th and final opera in his 4 opera "Ring Cycle" or "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (The Ring of the Nibelung. It's like a modern day mini-series but for the opera lasting over 15 hours in total, a monumental masterpiece of creative genius.

[@OrchestrationOnline]

Nicol Williamson steals the show as Merlin. He gets all the quotable lines! :D "That's it!"

[@Merlinthehappypig]

I always thought it was sir alec guiness

[@nbt3663]

Seigfreid's Funeral March by Wagner made this scene. Good stuff!

[@Wolfsky9]

What Boorman set out to do was noble, yet not possible in a 2 1/2 hour film. He attempted to tell the entire Arthurian Legend & to use " Le Morte D'Arthus", almost literally. In '81, many critics savaged the acting, especially Nigel Terry. For myself, I loved the film, & saw it 4 times in it's initial theatre run. The music & cinematography alone, are worth the film. --I believe Northern England & Scotland were used; the colors, & the countryside, were simply magnificent. ---All in all, out of 4 stars, I give it 3 1/2. --------------Wolfsky9

[@RCAvhstape]

Everyone remembers this movie. Nobody remembers the critics.

[@solinvictus39]

The film was mostly filmed in Ireland, if I remember correctly from the "making of" part of the DVD I have.

[@JohnPKING-nj8nc]

"Terry was badly miscast" He played King John in Lion in Winter. If you hadn't seen him in that it would be easier to accept him as Arthur but over the years I've come around to seeing him as Arthur. He grows up with no idea who he is until he loses a sword and reaches for the one that is stuck in the rock - it kind of fits Nigel Terry to be playing a guy who is a bit of a nebbish and finds out he is destined to be something he never imagined If Arthur had been cast with a more imposing actor that character would have grown up feeling he was destined for something greater while growing up.

[@JohnPKING-nj8nc]

"many critics savaged the acting" It's ironic that so many cast members went on to play such memorable roles. We got to see the younger Helen Mirren - so memorable as Morgana go on to play an equally memorable part in "The Queen." It's kind of fascinating really. Then you have Liam Neason and Patrick Stewart. What do those same critics say now?

[@TTony-tu6dm]

I remember the negative reviews Terry got, and when I watch the film now I have to say I don’t understand why. Sure he was dwarfed by Williamson, but so was everyone else. And the scene where he visits Gwenivere in the convent is perfectly played.

[@davidwalker5054]

Wagner's music makes this scene epic. Can anybody think of a better score for this scene

[@schubertuk]

I think the key element many people miss, is Boorman didn't just choose a great piece of music, but he chose to edit the film _to_ the music rather than edit the music _to_ the film - which is the much more common convention. It is the closest we have come to HG Wells "Things To Come" (1936) where the film was shot and edited to a specially composed soundtrack by Arthur Bliss -- the film served the music - not the other way around.

[@NrykeSolis]

3:32 one of the most beautifull scene of any picture ever!!

[@costaliberta5969]

bone chilling

[@hosseinturner3792]

This scene is powerful. I can't say anything more.

[@JBM39-b5u]

A great movie and a great scene so many years ago

[@Spaceflightlover2010]

Amazing in that no matter how many times you watch this movie, it never gets old.

[@bill454]

Saw this movie in the theater at the time and it was quite impressive. The music is something have never forgotten. I looked it up and I have it now on my phone playlist. It’s from Richard Wagner and it is Sigfried’s funeral march.

[@alexhamilton4084]

I can't watch this without crying like a baby.

[@druwydown9302]

Regardless of my own convictions, faith, etc., I still see in this entire scene, especially its epilogue, allusions to, perhaps, a new "king" in the corporeal, bodily, tereestrial, here and now, and cleansing-like, form of, perhaps, (that of) a 2nd "coming of Christ"......

[@funky-friday]

I watched it so many times that the VHS tape wore out. This ending is still the best!

[@garymarzuki8391]

This movie has a few faults...but it is a Cinematic Masterpiece. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Cinematography, and it Won the BAFTA Award for the same. The shot of Percival throwing Excalibur into the Lake and the Lady's hand comes up and catches it is absolutely beautiful

[@kennethmiller813]

A great, great movie and ending scene! WOW the music at the end is so fitting for Arthur!! Back in the day when I saw it made me cry and still does, furthermore; needless to say I have this classic on dvd.

[@scitsalcoryp]

Truly a staggering piece of art...I love you John Boorman...just these few minutes are amazing

[@AmericanThunder]

Epic. No other word describes this movie.

[@servicekid7453]

3:33 I don’t know how long Jon Boorman waited for this shot, but it was worth it. Some moments in cinema are iconic and unforgettable. This is undoubtedly one of them.

[@gpwerner]

I read somewhere that Boorman's wife, who played the Lady of the Lake, was actually underwater during the filming of this scene and her other--without breathing aids. Boorman took so long through some takes that she nearly drowned...

[@servicekid7453]

@@gpwerner yes i’ve heard that tale too

[@sverige11074]

this simple image with the sword held by the lady of the lake in front of the setting sun is worthy of a wagnerian opera. Absolute beauty. Best epic movie ever. One day a king will come and the sword will rise again.

[@trancosomarcus]

Wagner, sublime!!

[@tomprinsen1164]

the sword will rise again

[@robthegardener9631]

I came here when I heard Paul Geoffrey, the actor who plays Percival, died last week from cancer aged only 68.

[@tylergray9904]

The Greatest Fucking Movie of Alltime!!!

[@DanielEDugger]

The opening scene is just as powerful!, the horses breathe and the backlit shots were awesome 😮👍❤, one of the top five movies of all time!😊❤

[@struanrobertson6204]

This film still gives me goosebumps & that shivery feeling of endorphins coursing through my body especially when lancelot appears in the final battle it's such an incredibly awesome portrait of love, betrayal, forgiveness, loyalty, friendship & hope seen it aged seven in 1986 & I'm still watching it age 40 in 2020. No film like it imo.

[@032Eagle]

A classic. I viewed this epic in a theater with a wide screen. Wagner's music and the ending are priceless.

[@joeschmo5699]

Wagner. Gotterdammerung.

[@Ettoredipugnar]

The Twilight of the gods !

[@antoinemozart243]

The Arthurian legend is far more powerful than the long and boring death and funeral of Siegfried.

[@Baldmaxx]

Excalibur is one of the most underrated films of the 1980s. I saw it when it originally came out in theaters when I 14 and It still makes my top 10 of greatest movies ever made. Some of the best actors of our age made their debut in the masterpiece.

[@Plathismo]

I've always loved the stylized, blood-red sun in these scenes. Like a dying red giant star. A great visual metaphor for the end of Camelot.

[@SigfriedNothung]

One People , one Land , one King ......

[@darreng745]

This film left me with three things, the sheer talent of the actors involved some of whom would go on to major Hollywood careers, the fact that John Boorman had made this film after not being able to do The Lord of The Rings and finally the music in that it created a lifetime's decision to listen to Richard Wagner espcially Parzifal and Gotterdammerung. Btw the catelogue name is not Siegfried's Funeral march, but Trauermarsch as it forms the basis for Brunnhilde's decision to immolate herself on Siegfried's funeal pyre after the scene where Hagen kills Gunther to claim the ring.

[@white-dragon4424]

Don't forget the prologue to Tristan and Isolde, which was used as the love theme between Lancelot and Guinevere. This movie also got me interested in Wagner. Whenever I listen to the pieces I always go on a journey of the imagination. They're just so atmospheric and haunting.

[@fernandomeza506]

RIP nigel terry (1945-2015)

[@colinmunn4183]

This film is a work of art, whether one knows the legend or not it is just something that takes a person beyond to all they wish that had been and all they will mourn losing ☺️ Beautiful film 😊

[@PartTimeLaowai]

0:34 I've watched this film a dozen+ times, on TV, VHS, then DVD, and only now noticed that the lance that skewered Arthur mysteriously disappears.

[@BozPictures]

Glorious, magnificent ending. One of the purest unions of sound and sight. Rest in peace Nigel Terry.

[@ArcanePath360]

Amen

[@VenetraHR]

RIP - Nigel Terry - 15 August 1945 - 30 April 2015

[@quietearthMT78]

So many brilliant subtle moments in this scene as well... Percival retrieving Excalibur from the body in a manner similar to Arthur pulling the sword from the stone.... Another one is that the Lady in the Lake didn't appear the first time Percival came to the shore because he wasn't ready to surrender it. What an amazing movie!

[@ronlegend2526]

Siegfried's funeral march a work of genius

[@BoldenFMA]

I still love this film.

[@jrkorman]

I saw the movie when it first came out, had no idea I'd be seeing Patrick Steward again in a few years. Excellent movie and yet all through the movie were the words "Look, strange women lying on their backs in ponds handing out swords, that's no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony."

[@carminemurray6624]

I have seen the armor of the Era, those men were tiny, like today's ten year olds 😲

[@Blackhoundrise]

i love this movie. i know there have been many Arthur tales on film. but i want to see something like this again but updated with today's visuals and casting a great ensemble to deliver a moving performance

[@jonathanmelia]

Fun film fact: that image of Arthur and Percival at about 20 seconds with the sun behind them is "borrowed" from Eisenstein's ALEXANDER NEVSKY (1938). Not a lot of people know that....

[@philipm06]

Michael Caine does.

[@druwydown9302]

Did not know fhis...thx for the clarification and note.... 🙏✌🎧😀

[@aryanson]

Excalibur in this movie was based on an actual sword, named "Discerner", there are several companies offering sharp, battle worthy replicas, if you have several hundred, to several thousand dollars, depending on the company making it. IMHO, the two best are from Albion, and Legacy Arms.

[@tymotekaitis3872]

When Brittania faces it's greatest crisis Excalibur will rise for the next worthy king or queen. I reckon that time is now.

[@T0mat0S0up]

We have faced worse and survived many times over. We will overcome once again.

[@tymotekaitis3872]

ORACLEofORBS What ya talking about Willis?

[@tymotekaitis3872]

You're despicable George RR Martin.

[@barbarossa2939]

Ignore Oracle. He is an utter idiot.

[@tymotekaitis3872]

I 150% agree.

[@BB-io2ue]

This is the perfect timing between dramatic music and dramatic scene with and incomparable aesthetic style.

[@johnhughes1911]

Gives me shivers watching this ..

[@EHou01]

Arthur's dad in full plate armor chugging his mom was a teenage boy's dream !!!