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DVD Merlin (Special Edition)
What kind of guy was the wizard Merlin, anyway? He lives a long time, raises a boy to be a king, props up a Utopian empire with his magic and wisdom, and then watches as it all crumbles under such banal forces as vengeance and betrayal. This four-hour miniseries re-tells the story of Camelot and King Arthur from the perspective of the magic man who sacrifices a great deal to guide mortals toward a better destiny. Sam Neill plays Merlin as an accessible, flesh-and-blood fellow of real passion, powerless to undo the spell of a rival (Rutger Hauer) who has virtually imprisoned Merlin's great love, Nimue (Isabella Rossellini), but gifted enough to counter the treachery of Morgan Le Fey (Helena Bonham Carter) and the wicked Queen Mab (Miranda Richardson). The battle sequences and special effects are striking and original, and it is great fun to see such art-house movie actors as Richardson, Carter, Neill, etc., in fantasy entertainment the whole family can enjoy. (An unrecognizable Martin Short must be singled out, however, for a wonderful, largely dramatic performance as Mab's sidekick, Frik.) Directed by Steve Barron (The Adventures of Pinocchio), Merlin is a nice bit of glossy revisionism of a beloved legend. --Tom Keogh
A comment on the Special Edition "5.1 Circle Surround" ...
Don't buy the Special Edition for the Dolby Digital 5.1 with the expectation that it will sound superior to the 2.0 presented on the first DVD release. The Dolby Digital 2.0 actually sounds far superior to what they term on this disc's audio menu option as 5.1 "Circle Surround". The 5.1 upper bass is exaggerated and muddy throughout, to the point of distraction. Faint detail sounds, such as the chirping of birds in the background, are clearer and more detailed in the 2.0 presentation as well. The 2.0 audio is recorded at a somewhat lower level than normal, but raising the volume control solves that. This is one of those rare instances where the original 2-channel recording offers a superior audio experience. The Special Edition offers both audio options, so if you want to buy the SE for the special features and audio commentary, just remember when you watch the movie to select the 2.0 audio option.
The origin of Merlin
"Merlin" is a 1998 made for TV miniseries that tells the story of the famous wizard Merlin (Sam Neill). Merlin is born through magic by Queen Mab (Miranda Richardson) and raised to over throw the Christian influence in Old Britian. But as he grows older he learns to be tolerant and that maybe the Old Ways should fade away. He then joins with King Uther and eventually is given Arthur to raise. He teaches Arthur mercy and compassion and then sets him loose to rule the new Camalot. All the while Merlin is having to fight Mab and her plots, especially concerning Morgan LeFey (Helena Bonham Carter) and Mordered.
Along the way he leaves his own life's love Nimue (Isabella Rossellini) in Avalon to recover from wounds. Merlin's generations long struggle to help give hope to man kind is an epic story, and while a lot of it is probably made up from scratch, it is still entertaining. All the actors give wonderful perforcmances, especially Neill and Richardson. Also worth watching is Flick played by Martin Short as a intellegent but bumbling dwarf (made up to appeal to children, no doubt). Rutger Hauer is also around as the evil king who first draws Merlin into the human conflict. He plays more or less the same character he always plays, but he plays them well.
"Merlin" has a lot to say about the nature of magic. The idea that magic is only as strong as the belief in it is very a good one to consider. That Christianity wiped all the pagan religions away is very much what happened. I also liked that Merlin admitted that he was nieve about human nature and it's failings was a good point; and interesting reversal from the usual concept of an all knowing and all mighty Merlin. He wants to beleive that people are good, but they keep proving him wrong.
The effects were pretty good for TV, and I appriciate the effort to put as many fantasy elements as there were. There are fairies, gnolms, mountains that speaks, witches, dwarves, dragons, and magic is very common place. All the effects were alright, but not as good as they could be done today. But I can forgive that.
This is a good movie from the producers of "The Odyssey" and "Gulliver's Travels". It is a magical tale that will appeal to kids and adults.
MISTAKE, NO SPANISH AUDIO OR SUBTITLES
Be carefull, there is no spanish audio and subtitles. Big information mistake.
This adaptation of Marion Zimmer Bradley's sprawling and perennially popular book, whose retelling of the Arthurian legends focused on the role of powerful females, compresses a wealth of mysticism, family intrigue, and bloody swordplay into three hours. While the plot can meander slowly and can sometimes seem, well, mystifying, the work of three notable actresses holds the production together, and the numerous complications do eventually get resolved. As Viviane, the Lady of the Lake, Anjelica Huston endeavors to perpetuate the old religion as pagan Britain comes into contact with Christianity. The scheming Morgause, played to evil perfection by Joan Allen, conspires to her own ends. And Avalon priestess Morgaine, played by Julianna Margulies, travels the heroine's journey, overcoming... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Uli Edel DVD Release Date: Released the 11 December 2001 Usually ships in 24 hours
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This epic 10-hour miniseries from the Emmy-winning writer of Gulliver's Travels was a ratings bust on television, but on video and DVD, where it can be enjoyed at one's leisure, it has a better chance to cast its magical spell. Kimberly Williams has never been more enchanting than as Virginia, a waitress who still lives with her janitor father (John Larroquette) and yearns for something exciting to happen to her. Her wish comes true when she and her father are transported from New York City into a dimension that, with apologies to Rod Serling, can only be called the Fairy Tale Zone; nine kingdoms populated by characters from fairy tales of yore. They team up with a dog who's really a prince--Wendell, grandson of Snow White--changed into canine form by the evil Queen (Dianne... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Herbert Wise - David Carson DVD Release Date: Released the 28 May 2002 Usually ships in 24 hours
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I've seen two other Arthurian-based movies in the last two weeks: the new _King Arthur_ movie, and a very schlock-laden early 1950's piece called _Knights of the Round Table_.
I like _Merlin: The Return_ much better than I like _Knights of the Round Table_. _MTR_ doesn't pretend to be a great movie; _KotRT_ does, and _King Arthur_ isn't pretending, since it _is_ a better attempt at a historically accurate movie.
No, _MTR_ isn't as funny as _Monty Python & the Holy Grail_, but it's still enjoyable, for the key to enjoying a comedy -- any comedy -- is not taking it very seriously.
& in the name of the Queen of Infinity. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Paul Matthews (II) DVD Release Date: Released the 01 August 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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This lush retelling of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is a dark and engrossing tale. Director John Boorman (Deliverance) masterfully handles the tale of the mythical sword Excalibur, and its passing from the wizard Merlin to the future king of England. Arthur pulls the famed sword from a stone and is destined to be crowned king. As the king embarks on a passionate love affair with Guenevere, an illegitimate son, and Merlin's designs on power, threaten Arthur's reign. The film is visually stunning and unflinching in its scenes of combat and black magic. Featuring an impressive supporting cast, including early work from the likes of Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne, Excalibur is an adaptation of the legend both faithful and bold. --Robert LaneMore Info about this DVD Actor(s): Nigel Terry - Helen Mirren Director(s): John Boorman DVD Release Date: Released the 21 September 1999 Usually ships in 24 hours
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When Sultan Said discovers his wife locked in a passionate embrace with his only brother, he flings his sword at the prince and accidentally murders his adulterous queen. Tortured by his wife's ghost, the maniacal and cowardly sultan must marry another to save his kingdom, but to avoid future matrimonial disgrace he plans to have her executed the morning after the wedding. Fortunately for him, Scheherezade, the grand vicar's daughter played by the lovely Mili Avital, jumps at the challenge and the chance to marry her childhood love. A master storyteller, the newly crowned sultana escapes death night after night with her mesmerizing tales of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Aladdin and his Magic Lamp, countless warriors, supernatural duels, and ferocious genies.
Although the main story... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Steve Barron DVD Release Date: Released the 07 August 2001 Usually ships in 24 hours
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