A popular fantasy film from the 1980s initially received mixed reviews, but it clearly had a lasting impact on director Zack Snyder and his work. Snyder’s movies often spark strong reactions – some people love his bold visuals and unique style, while others dislike them. While films like his 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead were generally well-received, others, such as Sucker Punch (2011), proved more controversial. Ultimately, Snyder’s work consistently divides audiences.
Zack Snyder isn’t the only big-budget director whose films get mixed reviews. John Boorman, known for classics like Deliverance (1972) and Point Blank (1967), also made some truly terrible movies, including Exorcist II: The Heretic and Zardoz. However, Boorman’s 1981 film Excalibur had a huge impact on Snyder, who named it one of his all-time favorites in 2009. And looking at Excalibur and how people reacted to it, it’s easy to see why.
John Boorman’s Excalibur Is A Dark And Mature Fantasy Epic
The 1981 film Excalibur is a medieval fantasy movie, costing $11 million to produce and filmed in Ireland. While originally intended as an adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, the project evolved into a retelling of the Arthurian legend from Thomas Malory’s 1485 work, Le Morte d’Arthur. The film, named after King Arthur’s famous sword, featured a strong cast including Helen Mirren as Morgan le Fay and Patrick Stewart as Leodegrance, and also helped launch the careers of several prominent Irish actors.
Gabriel Byrne, Liam Neeson, and Ciaran Hinds all starred in Excalibur, and the film helped launch their careers in Hollywood. While Excalibur earned over $35 million, critics had mixed reactions. They consistently praised the film’s beautiful visuals, immersive world, and grand scale, but many found the story confusing and the characters lacked depth.
Zack Snyder’s Love of Excalibur Is Reflected Throughout His Movie Career
Similar to many films by Zack Snyder, Excalibur was criticized for focusing more on how it looks than on telling a compelling story. While revisiting the movie, it’s clear it’s visually stunning, but the characters themselves feel somewhat flat and serve mostly to move the beautiful fantasy plot forward. In a way, Excalibur foreshadowed a lot of the criticism Snyder would later receive throughout his career.
Throughout his career as a music video and film director, Zack Snyder has often been criticized for prioritizing stunning visuals over compelling stories. It’s therefore not surprising that he admires John Boorman’s Excalibur, as that film received similar criticism – being more focused on style than substance – years before Snyder even began his career. Ultimately, Excalibur, released in 1981, clearly had a significant and lasting influence on Snyder’s filmmaking style.
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2026-04-10 18:15