King Arthur - 2004

Touchstone Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Green Hills Productions

Directed by Antoine Fuqua

Cast:

• Arthur – Clive Owen
• Lancelot – Iaon Gruffudd
• Tristam – Madds Mikkelson
• Gawain – Joel Edgerton
• Galahad – Hugh Dancy
• Bors – Ray Winstone
• Merlin – Stephen Dillane
• Guinevere – Keira Knightly
• Cerdic – Stellan Skarsgard
• Cynric – Til Schweiger

Story: Where did the legends of King Arthur originate? While scholars still debate the actual origins, this film reveals one possible circumstance. We are in the time of the decline of the Roman Empire, when the Roman cavalry stationed in Britain were conscripts from Samartia, a land in steppes of the Ural mountains. The Christian era has begun, and all Roman citizens are Christians, while the Samartians retain their pagan faith. Rome has decided to surrender its holdings in Britain, leaving that island to be conquered by the Saxons, the tribes from Northern Europe descended from the Vikings of old, or defended by the Wodes, the indigenous people. On the day the Samarian knights are to be discharged, the Bishop gives them a final task, to rescue a final family of Romans who live above Hadrian's wall, a defensive wall built to keep invaders out. Arthur and his knights reach the household of Marcus Oronius, to discover he has been using torture and beatings to control his serfs. As they journey back to the safety of their fort, they must battle the Wodes and the Saxons. With the hordes of the Wolds on one side and the Saxons close behind, will they succeed in their mission?

Review: For those of us who have read and seen the Arthurian legends based on Morte de Arthur, this is a fascinating look into the possible beginnings of the legend. Since Bruckeimer is producing and Fuqua is directing, the film is filled with fantastic battles and gore, but the plot is solid and the acting is superb. Clive Owen and Iaon Gruffudd (Mr. Fantastic) show incredible insight into their roles, building strong characters for us to consider, as do the remainder of the cast. Kiera Knightly is exceptional in role of Guinevere, the Wode “princess” rescued from the Roman torture chamber. Stephen Dillane is fascinating as Merlin, the guerrilla leader of the Wodes and Guinevere’s father. Stellan Skarsgard as the Saxon king is dark and determined, and you get the impression of three distinctly different cultures who have come to that place in history where the world will change. Overall, the film is a stand alone historical perspective with only one tastefully done (and wholly unnecessary) sex scene. Rated R for the gore and violence, and some language, this film will probably not offend teens who play video games with violent content. The little ones should be asleep before you slip this one in the player. Collectible for the history buffs, or for anyone who enjoys Bruckheimer's work.