Merlin
1998, 174 minutes, Rated PG
In this classic tale of good and evil, the wise old wizard Merlin (Sam Neill) recounts how he and Arthur (Paul Curran) fought to overcome wickedness and defeat Mab, the Queen of Darkness (Miranda Richardson).
When King Constant (John Gielgud), Arthur's grandfather, was slain by the pagan Vortigern (Rutger Hauer), a civil war broke out.
Merlin was created by the sorceress Mab so the Old Ways would not be forgotten. Merlin refused to be a leader of dark powers, for he was raised by Ambrosia, a believer in the New Religion. At 17, Merlin fell in love with Nimue (Isabella Rossellini). In anger, Mab let Merlin be captured by King Vortigern and imprisoned with Nimue.
Mab persuaded Vortigern to sacrifice Nimue on a fire-breathing dragon. Disfigured by the dragon's attack, Nimue went into hiding. Merlin helped King Uther defeat Vorrigern, but learned Uther was not a good king. Merlin reluctantly agreed to help Usher seduce a married woman, Lady Igraine, under the condition that Merlin and could have their first child, to "teach him honor and goodness." When Arthur was born, Mab immediately put a curse on him.
In part two, Merlin teaches Arthur ethics and morals and takes him to the Mountain King (James Earl Jones) Arthur extracts the magic sword, Excalibur, from the stone. As the new king, Arthur announces he will build a golden city named Camelot, devoted to peace and charity.
Morgan Le Fey (Helena Bonham Carter), desiring the crown herself, enlists the aid of Mab's wicked imp, Frik (Martin Short), to seduce Arthur. She bears their evil son, Mordred, the rightful heir to the throne.
Camelot is built, Arthur marries Guinevere, and then travels the world atoning for his sins and searching for the Holy Grail, a cup that has the power to feed the hungry and heal the sick. The Lady of the Lake advises Merlin to find a protector for Guinevere and Camelot during Arthur's absence. Merlin chooses Sir Lancelot.
Meanwhile, Mab tempts Nimue, promising everlasting beauty if she will lead Merlin into a cave where they can live together. Arthur and Merlin return to find Camelot in chaos. Lancelot has seduced Guinevere, and Arthur is forced to sentence his wife to burn at the stake, but with Merlin's help he allows Lancelot to rescue her.
In a fierce battle, both Modred and Arthur are killed. The Lady of the Lake reveals Excalibur was meant for Lancelot's son, Sir Galahad, the one man who is capable of defeating evil.
Mab's spells are broken, and Nimue is reunited with Merlin. Sir Galahad rides away, triumphantly carrying the Holy Grail.
- Director:
- Steve Barron [6],
- Starring:
- Sam Neill [81], Miranda Richardson [40], Isabella Rossellini [25], Lena Headey [22], John Gielgud [39], Martin Short [20], James Earl Jones [46], Rutger Hauer [36], Helena Bonham Carter [24],
- Screen Formats:
- Full Frame 1.33:1
- Language and Sound:
- English Dolby Digital Stereo
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