Published: May 06, 2008 11:52 am         

Arthur Still Shines in "First Knight"

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released “First Knight” last Tuesday (April 29) to video retail and rental outlets. This release, shot in 1995 is, in my opinion, a fairly good adaptation of the King Arthur tale. I can recommend seeing, and even purchasing, the DVD.

“First Knight” is an interesting adaptation of the myth of Arthur Pendragon. There is no magic, no Merlin, no Morgana, no sword in the stone and no referral to Arthur’s past. The Arthurian legend is plunked down, rather realistically in the countryside after King Arthur has built Camelot and formed the round table, but immediately before he decides to seek a wife.

Remember, this is a DVD. This isn’t a history class. This isn’t made to be realistic but entertainment. As entertainment, it fills the bill. If you want the legendary story, or the realistic story, get a book or find a documentary.

This is a true “popcorn movie”, the kind you put in your DVD player for a nice evening of “no thinking, just enjoying”. This is a Hollywood family movie, with 3 great stars, fancy costumes, beautiful scenery, great music, clean language and no overt sexual content.

This is a straight adventure story, too — and without the sorcery seen in many of the Authurian legends — it could have actually happened this way. Nice values here, too, with the importance of prayer in life emphasized for the knights.

The extra features are worthwhile also. Now, I sometimes tend to nod off during the commentaries — especially the third time around, but, I can say I enjoyed, pretty much, the “Arthurian Legend” Commentary.

The “In Shining Armor” feature showed martial artists trying to re-construct the training, exercises and techniques by studying ancient manuals and guides. As one of the teachers noted, they were trying to relearn something hundreds of years after the masters of the techniques died. It was also interesting. I, of course, know about western, civil war and medieval reenactors, but had never heard of the sword fight re-enactors. Some of the moves and techniques they used were surprising.

The “Quest for Camelot” featurette was, basically each of the actors praising each other — nothing too great.

The “Creation of a Kingdom” feature explained some of the outre costume designs — for instance, the knights of the round table look like they’re dressed in Star Trek shirts. The designer also explains how each of the locations of the film also tells a story about the people living there,

In spite of some of the costuming, I do recommend the movie.

Cast: Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormond, Ben Cross, Liam Cunningham, Christopher Villiers, Valentine Pelka, Colin McCormack, Ralph Ineson, John Gielgud, Stuart Bunce, Jane Robbins, Jean Marie Coffey, Paul Kynman, Tom Lucy

First Knight

Rating (**** out of *****)

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released a Special Edition DVD and Blu-Ray™ High-Def of the sweeping romantic drama “First Knight” on April 29. Starring Sean Connery, Richard Gere and Julia Ormond, “First Knight” presents a new vision of the tale of King Arthur’s Camelot and the love triangle between King Arthur (Connery), Lady Guinevere (Ormond) and Sir Lancelot (Gere).

The Special Edition DVD and Blu-Ray™ Disc include all-new audio commentary with Zucker and producer Hunt Lowry; “Arthurian Legend” commentary; three featurettes, including a making-of featurette titled “The Quest for Camelot,” “In Shining Armor” knights-in-training featurette, “The Creation of a Kingdom”, a production design featurette; deleted scenes and outtakes.

“First Knight” is the age-old story of the love triangle between King Arthur, Lancelot and Lady Guinevere. In this retelling, Lancelot (Gere) and Lady Guinevere (Ormond) fall in love after he rescues her from raiders. Though she returns the feelings, she decides to honor her commitment to marry King Arthur (Connery). When Lancelot becomes one of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table, the attraction between Lancelot and Lady Guinevere leads them to betray Arthur.

“First Knight” is a vision of breathtaking battles, heart-pounding courage, the undeniable love that brought an entire kingdom to its knees... and the undying passion that made it live forever.

Running time of 133 minutes.

MPAA rating PG-13 for some brutal medieval battle.

Special Features

• Audio Commentary with Director Jerry Zucker and Producer Hunt Lowry

• Arthurian Legend Commentary

• The Quest For Camelot : A making-of featurette

• In Shining Armor: Knights-in-training featurette

• The Creation of a Kingdom: A production design featurette

• Deleted Scenes and Outtakes