Excalibur (1981) Deep Dive

About this episode

The episode explores the themes and narrative of John Boorman's film Excalibur, focusing on betrayal and the quest for the Holy Grail.

The centre truly cannot hold on Vintage Cinema Rewind. This week, the boys are back with their Deep Dive on John Boorman’s beautiful mess: Excalibur! Blake has discovered his wife’s adultery and has since renounced the mystical sword. As a result, both he and the realm are withering. He dispatches his Knights of the Roundtable to uncover the only thing that can restore them: the Holy Grail. But as his best warriors prowl the haunted lands, a new threat rises in the form of his own illegitimate son, Mordred. Can he rally his remaining knights for one final charge? Or is all of Britannia doomed?

People in this episode

Hosts: vintagecinemarewind, Blake

Topics covered

• Arthurian legend
• film analysis
• mythology
• knights
• betrayal
• quest

Keywords

• Excalibur
• John Boorman
• Holy Grail
• Arthurian legend
• Knights of the Roundtable
• Mordred
• betrayal
• film analysis

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Excalibur

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