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Mar 30, 2005 12:08:41 GMT -1
Post by kern on Mar 30, 2005 12:08:41 GMT -1
I know by now most have probably seen Arthur the movie...Well what did you all think of it?
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Mar 30, 2005 17:43:39 GMT -1
Post by branynos on Mar 30, 2005 17:43:39 GMT -1
I assume you mean "King Arthur" directed by Antoine Fuqua. Is *pants* an acceptable review Lets start with the title, Arthur isn't even a King (or aiming to be one) in the film and from there on in it goes downhill. I borrowed the DVD having seen enough pre release publicity to know I'd be muttering throughout the film if I went to the cinema (I was bad enough when I went to see Excalibur & I like that film as fantasy Even the eye candy of Clive Owen and Ioun Gruffudd didn't redeem it for me
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Mar 30, 2005 18:55:27 GMT -1
Post by siaron on Mar 30, 2005 18:55:27 GMT -1
Well, since my hubby is a Celtic historian, needless to say we groaned and squirmed through much of the movie.
We walked out saying, "Gee, if you didn't know anything about Arthur or the times he lived in and didn't care about historical accuracy, this was kind of a good action movie." But that was being EXTREMELY kind.
Problems-where to shart? Ummmmm, ok
1. Woads (WTF?!) 2. Romans north of Hadrian's wall 3. Use of barbed wire (not invented until the 1800s in AMERICA) 4. Keira Knightly ('nuff said) 5. .....as a WARRIOR? 6. misc. weaponry 7. Arthur as Pelagian heretic?!
....well, I could go on, but I think that's a good start. In short: HATED IT.
WHY OH WHY CAN'T ANYONE MAKE A DECENT MOVIE ON THIS SUBJECT?
Pob Bendith,
Siaron
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Mar 31, 2005 9:03:36 GMT -1
Post by Brochfael on Mar 31, 2005 9:03:36 GMT -1
Arthur the movie?
Costumes and props were utter shite! for a good look at what a late/sub roman soldier would look like google "britannia, durolitum".
I agree with much of what Siaron says but we just don't know what Arthur's religious beliefs were. My money was he basically didn't care which gods or god anyone worshipped as long his people fought well.
For all it's many howlers, I think Bernard Cornwell's Arthur trilogy had his character at least feasible.
The big problem with the film is that they employed John Matthews (The neo-pagan writer) rather than a more serious historian like Dan Shadrake (Who runs the Britannia group).
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Post by Blackbird on Apr 1, 2005 6:43:31 GMT -1
WHY OH WHY CAN'T ANYONE MAKE A DECENT MOVIE ON THIS SUBJECT?
They did - it was called Excalibur ;D
Yes, I know, there were loads of anachronisms, but I loved the feel of the film, and I loved Nichol Williamson as Merlin.
I haven't seen the Clive Owen film. Will probably wait 'til it comes on the telly, as everyone I know hated it...
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Apr 1, 2005 13:55:13 GMT -1
Post by siaron on Apr 1, 2005 13:55:13 GMT -1
WHY OH WHY CAN'T ANYONE MAKE A DECENT MOVIE ON THIS SUBJECT?They did - it was called Excalibur ;D Yes, I know, there were loads of anachronisms, but I loved the feel of the film, and I loved Nichol Williamson as Merlin. I haven't seen the Clive Owen film. Will probably wait 'til it comes on the telly, as everyone I know hated it... Annwyl Blackbird, While I have a certain fondness for Excalibur, I yearn for somethilng that presents the time and people as something other than a fairy tale. I don't think that Excalibur can make that claim. That was supposed to be the purpose of the new "Arthur" movie. Of course we don't know all the history of that time, but I don't even think they tried to do a good thorough background on the subject. I think they set out to make an action movie with a lot of pretty actors. A movie I admired for its more accurate portrayal of Britons and their times was "Warrior Queen", which admittedly had its own problems. But I thought it was a good and accurate portrayal of the way they lived and the circumstances that led to the rebellion and Boudica's role in it. I would like to see a film that shows even more about the spiritual beliefs of the Brythonic peoples, without making it too (as we call it here) "woo woo" (i.e. New Age crap) I hope you would agree that there is still room for a good "Arthur" movie yet to be made..... Pob Bendith, Siaron
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Apr 1, 2005 15:13:54 GMT -1
Post by branynos on Apr 1, 2005 15:13:54 GMT -1
There was a kids TV show on in the 70's called "Arthur of the Britons" that showed him as a leader of a 5thC warband I think its still my favourite, though I'd probably cringe if I saw it again as an adult www.tvtome.com/ArthuroftheBritons/
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Apr 2, 2005 18:39:26 GMT -1
Post by Blackbird on Apr 2, 2005 18:39:26 GMT -1
Was 'Warrior Queen' the one with wotsername with the curly hair in? (She played Moll Flanders in something... Alex something...)
If so, I hated it! I found that the modern turns of speech really grated, as did the attitudes of the Romans, which were completely anachronistic to me. I did think that the actress looked the part, though.
Horses for courses, eh ;D
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Apr 2, 2005 23:43:19 GMT -1
Post by siaron on Apr 2, 2005 23:43:19 GMT -1
Was 'Warrior Queen' the one with wotsername with the curly hair in? (She played Moll Flanders in something... Alex something...) If so, I hated it! I found that the modern turns of speech really grated, as did the attitudes of the Romans, which were completely anachronistic to me. I did think that the actress looked the part, though. Horses for courses, eh ;D You hit on my main problems with the movie. The speech, the accents (oy!) and the Roman bits were creaky. What I did like was that they showed accurate portrayals of the village, symbols, dress, weaponry, and touched on the spiritual beliefs in a way I had not seen before. I did like that at the end of the movie they pulled the idea through to modern times and ended with the statement "We don't write our stories down, we live them". But this underscores my point. There is a lot of room to do a better job representing early and Dark Age Briton in a film or miniseries format. Everything I have seen to date has left me groaning on some level. One can always hope! Pob Bendith, Siaron
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Post by Brochfael on Apr 3, 2005 7:47:43 GMT -1
The Alex Kingston Boudica film for television was a disgrace to a dogs dinner, even worse than Arthur.
The costumes were utter shite and almost completely unresearched. The story was severely tinkered with (Decianus Catus, the procurator, was not killed at Colchester but fled to Gaul at the first sign of revolt.
Props were pretty poor too. The Anthropomorphic sword belongs further north and had too long a grip.
As Dan of Britannia said: "Alex Kingston is a great actress but you can't polish a turd!"
I agree with him wholeheartedly
I await with trepidation the Mel Gibson Boudica film which I understand is in production.
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Apr 3, 2005 11:16:27 GMT -1
Post by Blackbird on Apr 3, 2005 11:16:27 GMT -1
I await with trepidation the Mel Gibson Boudica film which I understand is in production. Braveheart in a Bra ;D At least he can't blame the English this time...
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Apr 3, 2005 11:41:38 GMT -1
Post by kern on Apr 3, 2005 11:41:38 GMT -1
I cant wait for true to form factual and historically correct film dealing with Arthur,Boudicca,the Clans of Scotia/Alba or even Irish.But I dont think they ever will,I mean look at all the biblical movies out and none are exactly like it says in the bible.That use to make me sick back in my Bible days. 1)Aaron spoke to Pharoah and carried the friggin staff not Moses. 2)Noah carried 7 pairs of clean animals and 1 pair of unclean ones onto the Ark. 3)Jesus was hung on a pole not a pole with a cross beam(the greek was staroo which meant an upright pole) 4)Jesus and disciples ate unleavened bread(no yeast) on the last supper not a loaf of bread. Etc etc etc............
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Apr 3, 2005 12:01:53 GMT -1
Post by kern on Apr 3, 2005 12:01:53 GMT -1
I seen this movie the other night on IFC "The Englishman that went up the Hill" which was about these people in a small Welsh town that wanted their Hill(mt) recognised by British Map makers as a Mt. but it wasnt high enough so they piled dirt up and covered it with sod to make it taller and then it was recognised as a mt.It was pretty good and based on a true story.
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Apr 3, 2005 18:31:33 GMT -1
Post by siaron on Apr 3, 2005 18:31:33 GMT -1
Braveheart in a Bra ;D At least he can't blame the English this time... Blackbird-LOL! Brochfael-OK, I do see your point. I guess I at least admired the attempt. What I meant is, it is the best thing I have seen, and I try to watch everything. Have you ever seen "Druid"?-Ach y fi! I wanted to kill myself at the end of that stinker. Let's be honest--nobody has made THE definitive portrayal of the Celtic peoples on film. I'm not a cultural anthropologist (though I studied it). Of course they could/should have been more accurate...but I don't think what I saw for costumes or dwellings differs significantly from what I saw at Celtica in Machynlleth. I'm not a weapons expert, so wouldn't know the difference between the swords. Where I get peeved is when they use weapons that couldn't concievable have existed (i.e. cross-bows) or, as I mentioned, something that looked suspiciously like barbed wire in the "Arthur" movie. As for Mel Gibson....I'm afraid after "The Passion" I'm not going to be able to support any film of his financially. Won't be watching that one. But, if what I heard is true and they have cast Rachael Weiss (sp?) as the lead, then I feel quite sure this won't be THE definitive portrayal either. I mean, 'cmon folks. She's about 5' tall.
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Apr 3, 2005 19:03:55 GMT -1
Post by siaron on Apr 3, 2005 19:03:55 GMT -1
Brochfael,
OK, after visiting your website I understand even better your comments and concerns. Good for you! I wish I could dedicate myself at the level you do!
I'm sure there will never be any film that will satisfy your standards. You should be a technical advisor on any such project! Why hasn't that happened? You have my vote.
Pob Bendith,
Siaron
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Post by Brochfael on Apr 4, 2005 7:01:25 GMT -1
Well if there are any directors reading this I am available for hire and my rates are...........
Seriously though yes I agree we are unlikely to seea ccurate representations of iron Age people from Hollywood.
In the Alex Kingston Boudica Film, it was more the Roman costumes that stank, That and the hippy dress she wore when the Romans came to tea!
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Post by Blackbird on Apr 4, 2005 7:26:19 GMT -1
I'm sure there will never be any film that will satisfy your standards. You should be a technical advisor on any such project! Why hasn't that happened? You have my vote.Seriously, what happens is that they hire a technical advisor so that it appears that they have made an attempt at authenticity. Then, despite the technical advisor jumping up and down and waving his/her arms in the air, the director makes an 'artistic decision' to rub mud into everyones faces and make them wear sacks... again.... A friend of mine is a Medieval reenactor who does film extra work. She and her family turned up to a shoot with clothing that was completely right for the period, only to be handed... yes, you've guessed it... a sack.... ;D At the end of the day, film directors are interested in making an entertaining film, and authenticity can go hang
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Apr 4, 2005 14:41:22 GMT -1
Post by siaron on Apr 4, 2005 14:41:22 GMT -1
Yeah, I kind of knew that already.
Still, hope springs eternal!
I'll give you my vote for the worst movie ever on the "Arthur" subject matter: "Lancelot du Lac", French with subtitles.
The opening sequence features knights being slaughtered by some unseen force, and one gets decapitated within the first minute with a comical fountain of orange-red blood! For a minute I thought it was a French version of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"!
It was soooooooooooo bad. My husband and I just looked at each other and said "Wow". If you ever want a good laugh, check it out.
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Apr 4, 2005 17:29:43 GMT -1
Post by Blackbird on Apr 4, 2005 17:29:43 GMT -1
lol!
And the best does have to be 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'.
It is the most fabulous bit of silliness ever - while still managing to be very evocative of Medieval Britain. ;D
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