The Mists of Avalon (2001)

Legend

I have always loved the Arthurian legend, this is just another twist. A movie well worth watching, but send the kids to bed. August 29, 2008

a big disappointment after the great book, but OK on its own

To be honest, I did not think that 3 hours could encompass the incredible depth and complexity of Bradley's masterwork. But I got this out of curiosity and because my kids would probably enjoy it. I am sorry to report that this film barely sufficed to hold my interest - I constantly thought back with disappointment to the book I read (and vividly remember from) nearly 20 years ago, which had phenomenal character development and covered every aspect the Arthur myth from a new point of view. Nonetheless, I feel that this film requires a careful review on its own.

The theme of the story is the collision of two religions, one the pagan earth goddess and the other christian monotheism. Morgaine, long portrayed as an evil heathen, is the most sympathetic actor in this version, both a victim of political machination and also a fighter to preserve the old religion. Julianna Margulies is a truly wonderful Morgaine, too beautiful perhaps, but she really gets the character. The problem is that the film if too short to chart her evolution, from acolyte to rebel to leader, all the time recognizing the tragedy as it unfolds so inexorably. The same can be said of Huston, who is a wonderful Viviane (ruthless, loving, desperate, majestic), and Allen as the cold and ambitious Morgause. The only way they could have succeeded would have been to triple the time of the film. The film also succeeds in placing the men on the side - less aware of the forces at play than as men of action. The male actors, all of whom are lesser known than the three female stars, are all very good.

That being said, as it progresses, the film is less and less faithful to the novel, again in part because it has to truncate the plots, shrink back the themes, and eliminate characters. For example, in the book, Merlin is succeeded by a crippled musician who becomes Morgaine's lover for years; he then concludes that the religion is finished, hands over the pagan chalice that is transmogrified into the holy grail in a transcendently sad scene of religious vision, and his punishment is death. That is such a rich episode that you could make an entire film just of that. There is another scene in the book that I recall, in which Mordred and Lancelot duel in a tournament, which exhausts and humiliates the aging Lancelot, signaling a passage that the witnesses instantly recognize. Again, this kind of character development is impossible in the short time available.

In the end, I would recommend this version to those who have not read the book - but only as way to get them to read the book. July 26, 2008

a half good movie

The first half of the movie was great and followed the book pretty well. Unfortunately I realized that it had only covered about the first quarter of the book. Ted Turner obviously decided to solve the problem by completely changing the ending and thus the entire tone of the movie. If Bradley were alive I'm sure she'd be very disappointed in what was done to her book. The actors were not at fault and did a credible job but the writers should be hung. This should have been at least an eight to twelve part mini series not a three parter. It's a shame someone with a little more intelligence like Peter Jackson hadn't gotten the movie rights instead of Ted Turner. This man produces nothing but pablum. Bradley's book is every bit as great a novel as The Lord of the Rings and it deserved as good a treatment in the movie. That's what happens when an egomaniac decides he knows what's best. Proof positive that money can't buy you brains or good taste. July 24, 2008

Amazing!

This movie was amazing, the best Camelot type film I have seen. Angelica Huston gave an exelent performance. Finally, the whole knights of the round table lore from a womans perspective. The tribute to the Goddess was a very pleasant surprise too. For anyone looking for an interesting take on Camelot this movie will delite you. July 12, 2008

Not the worst movie I've ever seen...

Okay, it's not awful, but it's definitely not great. Have you ever seen a movie where you weren't entirely sorry you had ever watched it, but there is no way you'd ever watch it again? Well, that's what this was like. It had good points and bad points - but to be fair (and to help you get a gauge on where my opinions settle) I didn't like the book it was based on either (though, oddly, for different reasons). June 17, 2008

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