Despite being told to give it a wide berth by more than a few people I quite enjoyed this film, mainly because it appeared to be set in the same vein as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It doesn't take itself too seriously but nevertheless produces real feeling in it's audience. Sumptuously filmed in various picturesque British locations it moves along quite nicely showing Lancelot as a loner swordsman who finds himself drawn into something quite bigger than he wants or expects by King Arthur, a perfectly cast Sean Connery (another link to Robin Hood perhaps?).
Richard Gere isn't bad as Lancelot, who joins the knights of the round table for reasons beyond his wish to see justice and peace for all. His lack of a British accent is probably his greatest asset as though the supporting characters are all Brits many of them sound surprisingly like Cockney taxi drivers. Julia Ormond is a little trembly as Guinevere, the person who wishes to do her best for her people but cannot deny her love for Lancelot. The villain of the piece, Ben Cross as Malagant, is surprisingly good in his role, not completely evil but bent on world domination and jealous of all Arthur has built. From herein the scene is set for tragedy and it's all just a matter of time before Arthur gets wind of the secret feelings between his wife and his best knight.
Before this happens though you get treated to some excellent medieval fight scenes and more beautiful locations, courtesy of the last green bits of this once fair land. The only things I can say to detract from it are it's permanently confused serious/non-serious tone, a ridiculously cartoony bottomless pit and Sir John Gielgud who pops up for no reason and annoys the hell out of me. |
