Excalibur

Adapted from Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte Darthur," "Excalibur" tells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table in epic fashion. Nigel Terry is Arthur, who pulls Excalibur from its resting place within the stone and must pull the Round Table Knights back together with the recovery of the Holy Grail. This is not a tale for children, as it is sparked with violence and sexuality. (Gary Reber)

Available is both the 141-minute Theatrical Cut and the 120-minute TV version. Special features include archival commentary with Director John Boorman,new commentary by film scholar Brian Boyle, new commentary by Filmmaker David Kittredge; Disc 2: "The Making Of Excalibur" documentary (SD 48:00), "To Be A Knight And Follow A King" new interview with Director Boorman and Actor Charley Booman, "When Death Was But A Dream" new interview with Creative Associate Neil Jordan, "The Charm Of Making" new interview with Production Designer Anthony Pratt, "Confessions Of A Professional Pain-In-The-Ass" new interview with 2nd Unit Director Peter MacDonald, "Anam Cara" and " Divided Nation" featurettes,, image galleries, trailers; Disc 3 "Excalibur: Behind The Movie" retrospective documentary (SD 50:00); The packaging consists of a reversible sleeve, double-sided fold-out poster, six postcard-sized art cards and a collector's perfect-bound booklet.

and the theatrical trailer.

The 2.35:1 HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed on 35 mm film in using the Arriflex 35 BL3 camera system and sourced from a 4K restoration of the original camera negative by Arrow Video. Film grain is generally unobjectionable. The picture exhibits a color palette that is strongly saturated with warm and rich hues that often pop, such as the vivid greens of the forest. Sir Lancelot's shinny and bright silver metal armour. The flame of torches and fires are bright as well. The red in the flags and blood are rich, The metal armour of the knights reflect light. The set designs are colorfully elaborate. Flesh tones appear natural. HDR contrast is excellent. Backs are well defined. Shadows appear realistic. White levels are often brilliant. Resolution is revealing of fine detail and texture, Horses show fine build and body hair. Costumes are revealing of structural patterns and fabrics. Objects and set structures convey realism. This is a dated but colorful visual experience of epic filmmaking of the late 1970s. (Gary Reber)

The repurposed DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack sound dated. Foley sound effects include a lot of knights dressed in metal armour fighting and banging into each other, as well as forward sounding footsteps. Numerous other effects enhance the atmospherics. Sound effects include horses in battle and the clanging of swords. The distorted orchestra/choral score is well orchestrated but occupies a narrow soundstage. Surround envelopment consists of the music and nuanced atmospherics. Bass support is limited and when engaged sounds weak though the .1 LFE is engaged during lightening and thunder sequences. Dialogue is forward sounding and wanting in spatial integration as well as often sounding distorted. Originally produced in monaural, this soundtrack tends to favor a narrow frontal presence. (Gary Reber)