Excaliber – 4K UHD | BLU-RAY

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Why did director John Boorman make Excaliber?

Director John Boorman grew up captivated by the stories of King Arthur, Merlin, and Excalibur. As he became an established filmmaker, he earned Oscar nominations for films like Point Blank (1967), Hell in the Pacific (1968), and particularly Deliverance (1972), which also showcased Burt Reynolds’ acting ability before a decline in his later career. However, Boorman faced setbacks with odd films like Zardoz, featuring Sean Connery, and a poorly received sequel to The Exorcist, leading him to take a break. He was determined to make a film based on Arthurian legend, though studios preferred he direct Lord of the Rings – a project he declined but which still influenced his work.

The Excaliber superstar cast…

The film assembled an impressive cast including Helen Mirren, Cherie Lunghi, Gabriel Byrne, Liam Neeson, Corin Redgrave, Patrick Stewart, Ciaran Hinds, and Nicol Williamson. While Williamson was the most experienced film actor, many of the others were primarily stage performers. For a lot of them, Excalibur was their film debut, and they greatly depended on director John Boorman, who, despite being a kind man off-set, was a very strict and commanding presence during filming.

The film depicts a vibrant, ancient world where humans lived in harmony with nature and death held no sway. Merlin bestows the sword Excalibur upon Uther Pendragon, hoping it will bring peace and unity to the land, but Uther’s desires lead him astray. As Uther dies, he plunges the sword into stone, where it will remain until a worthy king appears. This is the tale of Arthur, his noble knights, the glorious era of Camelot, the search for the Holy Grail, and the powerful wizard Merlin – a journey filled with both wonder and terror.

Behind the scenes

Filmed entirely in Ireland, the movie boasts impressive sets, costumes, and lighting. Production designer Anthony Pratt, who previously collaborated with director Boorman on ‘Zardoz’ (1974), went on to work on notable films like ‘The Addams Family,’ ‘Hook,’ and ‘Michael Collins.’ The costumes were particularly striking, especially the gleaming, pristine armor worn by the cast. Initially, only 14 suits of armor were planned, but the number quickly grew to over a hundred, all needing to be created in just six weeks. The film’s only Oscar nomination rightfully recognized the exceptional lighting work by cinematographer Alex Thomson. Released in 1981, the movie earned $34 million on a budget of around $15 million and is now available in a limited edition 3-disc 4K UHD release with a wealth of bonus features.

  • Brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative by Arrow Films presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1 for the first time on home video
    • Contains both the 141-minute Theatrical Cut and the 120-minute TV Version of the film
    • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
    • Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
    • Collectors’ perfect-bound booklet containing writing by Charlie Brigden, K.A. Laity, Kimberly Lindbergs, Josh Nelson, Philip Kemp, John Reppion, Icy Sedgwick and Jez Winship
    • Double-sided fold-out poster featuring two original artwork options
    • Six postcard-sized reproduction art cards

DISC 1 – FEATURE (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

  • 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation of the 141min Theatrical Cut of the film in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
    • Restored original lossless mono and DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio options
    • Brand new audio commentary by Brian Hoyle, author of The Cinema of John Boorman
    • Brand new audio commentary by filmmaker David Kittredge, director of Boorman and the Devil
    • Archive audio commentary by director John Boorman

DISC 2 – EXTRAS (BLU-RAY)

  • The Making of Excalibur: Myth into Movie, a never before released 48-minute documentary directed by Neil Jordan during the production of Excalibur
    • To Be a Knight and Follow a King, a newly filmed interview with director John Boorman and actor Charley Boorman
    • When Death Was but a Dream, a newly filmed interview with creative associate Neil Jordan
    • The Charm of Making, a newly filmed interview with production designer Anthony Pratt
    • Confessions of a Professional “Pain-in-the-ass”, a newly filmed interview with 2nd unit director Peter MacDonald
    • Anam Cara, a new featurette on the working friendship of John Boorman and co-writer Rospo Pallenberg featuring a newly filmed interview with Pallenberg
    • Divided Nature, a brand new featurette by film historians Howard S. Berger and Kevin Marr
    • Trailers
    • Image galleries

DISC 3 – BONUS (LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE BLU-RAY)

  • High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation of the 120-minute TV Version of the film, previously unavailable on home video
    • Original lossless mono audio
    • Excalibur: Behind the Movie, a 50-minute retrospective documentary in which cast and crew look back on the making of the film

The Best of the behind the scenes features…..

If you’re interested in learning more about the film, the commentary with John Boorman is highly recommended, and the theatrical cut is the best version to watch. For dedicated fans, comparing the theatrical version to the TV version (which is 21 minutes shorter) can be insightful. Of the bonus features, the ones created specifically for this release are the most worthwhile, particularly ‘To Be a Knight and Follow a King.’ It’s a little sad to see Boorman, now 93, looking frail, especially when contrasted with footage of him directing on set.

Neil Jordan’s 1981 film Excalibur, made when he was a relatively new director, feels a bit slow-paced compared to the retrospective feature with Liam Neeson, Helen Mirren, Gabriel Byrne, and others, who now have decades of experience and awards. The real highlight, though, is the interview with Peter MacDonald, the film’s 2nd unit director. MacDonald started as a clapper loader in 1957 and worked his way up, contributing to iconic films like A Night to Remember, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Cabaret, and Superman. He also directed 2nd unit on films like The Empire Strikes Back, Rambo: First Blood Part II, and several Harry Potter movies, even directing Rambo III and The NeverEnding Story III himself. Now 87, MacDonald is refreshingly honest and hilariously unfiltered as he shares behind-the-scenes stories, making him a fascinating subject and the standout bonus feature.

What we think….

Following the grand scale of Excalibur, director John Boorman’s films became more intimate, culminating in his 2014 film Queen and Country. While Excalibur is considered one of the finest adaptations of the Arthurian legend (though some, including us, prefer Monty Python and the Holy Grail), it’s particularly impressive for its memorable visuals achieved without relying on modern CGI. When it comes to staying true to the Arthurian stories, Excalibur truly stands out.

Here’s the Excaliber trailer ….

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2026-02-22 03:24