Excalibur

Starring:Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Cherie Lunghi, Paul Geoffrey, Nicol Williamson, Robert Addie, Gabriel Byrne, Keith Buckley, Katrine Boorman, Liam Neeson, Corin Redgrave, Niall O'Brien, Patrick Stewart, Clive Swift, CiarÃ¡n Hinds, Liam O'Callaghan, Michael Muldoon, Charley Boorman, Gerard Mannix Flynn
Director: John Boorman
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

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 Lane

Customer Reviews:

Excaliber.......2007-05-28

One of my all time favorites!! Its great to have it in dvd collection now too. A must have for the medival-King Arthur etc fans!!

Dated, but still greaat to watch........2007-05-14

I had forgotten how interesting this movie was -- a little frustrating with its mixing of the legends, but a good watch and a fun reminder of how film styles have evolved in recent years.

Excalibur (HD DVD).......2007-05-09

The enhanced sound and vision on HD DVD makes a good film even better.

Superior to all others!.......2007-04-08

Simply put..this is the best sword and sorcery movie of all time. And....arguably, one of the best films of any genre. I wish there were more footage available of this movie. A nice long directors cut would be nice.

Good History, good Movie.......2007-04-04

I enjoyed this book as it was sort of based on the series of books based on "Merlin" and his life. This movie follows closely to historical accounts, but the fantasy scenes are pretty good.....hated the ending, loved the movie.

Average customer rating:

Excaliber
Dated, but still greaat to watch.
Excalibur (HD DVD)
Superior to all others!
Good History, good Movie

Excalibur [HD DVD]
Starring: Robert Addie , Charley Boorman , Katrine Boorman , Brid Brennan , and Barbara Byrne
Director: John Boorman
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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Merlin (Special Edition)
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ASIN: B000JLSLZG
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Amazon.com essential video

Description

Raised by merlin, young Arthur draws the mystical sword of Excalibur from the stone and becomes King. He grows to manhood and with his wife Guenevere and first knight Lancelot unites the country and founds the Knights of the Round Table. But the love between Lancelot and Guenevere, and the treachery of his sister Morgana and son Mordred cause King Arthur's pride to jeopardize the kingdom. An epic battle between the knights of good and evil decides the fate of Camelot,

Customer Reviews:

Excaliber.......2007-05-28

One of my all time favorites!! Its great to have it in dvd collection now too. A must have for the medival-King Arthur etc fans!!

Dated, but still greaat to watch........2007-05-14

I had forgotten how interesting this movie was -- a little frustrating with its mixing of the legends, but a good watch and a fun reminder of how film styles have evolved in recent years.

Excalibur (HD DVD).......2007-05-09

The enhanced sound and vision on HD DVD makes a good film even better.

Superior to all others!.......2007-04-08

Good History, good Movie.......2007-04-04

Average customer rating:

Muy Fuerte

El Apando
Starring: Salvador Sánchez , Delia Casanova , César Sobrevals , Álvaro Carcaño , and Tomás Pérez Turrent
Director: Felipe Cazals
Manufacturer: Excalibur
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Las Poquianchis
Canoa
Let's Go With Pancho Villa
Rojo Amanecer
La Pasion Segun Berenice (The Passion of Berenice)

ASIN: B0000EMYB0
Release Date: 2004-01-06

Description

En la cárcel de Lecumberri, tres presos drogadictos arman un plan para que la madre de uno de ellos introduzca droga al penal. El plan funciona y cuando ellos celebran son descubiertos y encerrados en "el apando", la celda de castigo. Las protestas por la situación de los "apandados" provocan una sangrienta trifulca. In Spanish no subtitles In Mexico City's infamous Lecumberri prison, three drug-addicted convicts celebrate getting drugs from the mother of one of them. They are found out and locked up in the "apando", the dreaded punishment cell. Protests over the treatment of those held in the cell lead to a bloody confrontation.

Customer Reviews:

Muy Fuerte.......2007-01-18

Esta pelicula esta muy fuerte pero clasica. Ensena los aspectos del prision. La compre para mi papa, pero tambien a mi me gusto.

Average customer rating:

Bala Perdida
Starring: Miguel Aceves Mejia , Antonio Aguilar , Daniel "Chino" Herrera , Raul Meraz , and David Carradine
Director: Pau Martínez
Manufacturer: Excalibur
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Aqui Esta Tu Enamorada
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Grandes Exitos en Vivo

ASIN: B0000EMYBO
Release Date: 2004-01-06

Description

En San José de los Lagos, el rejoneador Carmelo, caporal de la ganadería de Cerro Prieto, ama a la huérfana Alicia, adoptada por el boticario del pueblo y por su esposa Remedios. De regreso de la capital, donde ha llevado mala vida, Emilio, hijo de don Elodio, tropieza en la calle con Alicia y le da a guardar un dinero ganado con trampas en la baraja; así él despista a sus perseguidores. In Spanish no Subtitles In the town of San Jose, bullfighter Carmelo, foreman of the famous bull-breeding ranch Cerro Prieto, is in love with Alicia, an orphan who has been adopted by the town's pharmacist and his wife. Emilio, who is returning from Mexico City with money he has won by cheating in card games, runs into Alicia and asks her to hide the money, hoping to confuse those who are tracking him down.

Average customer rating:

La Venganza de Gabino Barrera
Starring: Antonio Aguilar , Irma Serrano , Eleazar García , Amadee Chabot , and John Kelly (XIV)
Director: René Cardona
Manufacturer: Excalibur
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000EMYFF
Release Date: 2004-02-03

Description

Luis escapa de la cárcel y en su fuga mata a Alicia, recién casada con Gabino. Gabino va hacia la frontera norte para cobrar venganza en contra de Luis. Luis mata a su cómplice Carlos después de hacerle cavar su propia tumba. En una cantina, Gabino vence a golpes y mata a un tipo que lo provoca. Antes de morir, éste le dice el paradero de Luis, a quien Gabino persigue hasta cobrar venganza. In Spanish no Subtitles. Luis escapes from prison and in so doing kills Alicia, Gabino's newlywed wife. Gabino goes north toward the border looking for vengeance. Luis kills his accomplice after making him dig his own grave. Meantime, Gabino beats up and kills a man who provokes him; before dying, the man tells Gabino where Luis is, and Gabino pursues him until he gets his revenge. In Spanish no Subtitles.

Average customer rating:

El Gangster
Starring: Luis Aragon , Arturo de Cordova , David Reynoso , and Sofia Alvarez
Director: Luis Alcoriza
Manufacturer: Excalibur
ProductGroup: DVD
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Average customer rating:

A Persecuted Classic of Mexican Cinema

La Sombra Del Caudillo
Starring: Luis Aragón , Salvador Arriola , Lupe Carriles , Aída Casablanca , and Jorge Chesterking
Manufacturer: Excalibur
ProductGroup: DVD
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Canoa

ASIN: B0001O3YGW
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Customer Reviews:

A Persecuted Classic of Mexican Cinema.......2004-08-29

La Sombra del Caudillo is a film which requires quite a bit of knowledge of both the history of the Mexican Revolution and also the Spanish language in order to fully appreciate. After my first viewing, I might have only given it 3 stars, but I do feel that if I had a better understanding of the events I could have given it 5.

The film is based on a 1929 novel of the same name by Martin Luis Guzman, published in 1929 in Spain and originally suppressed in Mexico. It is set during the tumultuous years of 1920-30, when the remaining warlords came together in an uneasy peace to create the "modern" governing system of the PRI. One would be well served by first reading some book on the Mexican Revolution before watching this film. For orientation, the caudillo (played by Miguel Angel Ferriz) represents Alvaro Obregon, former president of Mexico. Jiminez (Ingancio Lopez Tarso from Macario) represents Plutarco Elías Calles, and finally the central role of Ignacio Aguirre (Tito Junco) represents a combination of Adolfo de la Huerta and General Francisco Serrano. And of course the party referred to represents the PRI (partido revolucionario institucional). Whew! That's a lot of homework.

As far as the cinematography, La Sombra del Caudillo achieves high marks for actually turning the camera upon the city of Mexico: we see the famous buildings of the zocalo, the inner halls of government, quaint tree-lined parks where men play checkers, grassy suburban streets, and the great Mexican volcanoes in the distance (including Ajusco south of town). With so much to see, it is inconceivable to me that it took someone so long to figure this out: old Mexico was the most charming supporting character available. Even Tlaloc gets an uncredited cameo role, reminding us of his existence as he frequently still does on cloudy chilango summer days. And the closer scenes are well filmed with frequently moving cameras which appear to pull us off the street and inside near to the seats of corruption.

Regarding the acting, I thought Barbara Gil was a standout performer. Tito Junco is solid, and Lopez Tarso was steady and not too annoying (I found him intolerable in Nazarin; a mixture of Gomer Pyle and Cheech Marin). Carlos Lopez Moctezuma (Maclovia, Campeon sin Corona) and Roberto Canedo (another Emilio Fernandez regular) are also good in support.

Regarding the story and direction, Again, the lack of subtitles on the DVD really impaired my understanding. I speak Spanish well, but for some reason I had trouble with this film. The street scenes seemed a little empty of life and therefore just a little stagy. The ending was OK but perhaps a bit anticlimactic. On the more positive side, the late vintage B&W cinematography gave the film a retro feel which reminded me of John Ford's Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). Also, La Sombra del Caudillo did succeed in creating a wonderful gangland 20s atmosphere which really foreshadowed that of The Godfather twelve years later (only some of the cars looked more 40s than 20s). Perhaps the implications of this, basically portraying the ruling party's forefathers as warlord gangsters, is what got the film banned in Mexico.

Director Julio Bracho (Distinto Amanecer) is really the unsung hero of Mexican cinema. The film was banned by Mexico's government and Bracho went to his grave in 1978 without seeing it widely released. Only in 1990 under the regime of Carlos Salinas de Gortari did the film finally get its Mexican premiere. In this sense La Sombra del Caudillo has much in common with La Ley de Herodes (2000), which it also certainly influenced.

Regarding the DVD, the picture quality is quite poor for a film of this late vintage. That is explained, however, by the earlier persecution of the film. It appears that even during its belated 1990 theatrical release, the exhibitors were forced to use a poor quality 16mm negative for film prints. It is quite possible that the original 35mm film was destroyed by the same types of political forces which set the great Aztec libraries to the torch. Given this, one should appreciate just being able to see the film as it is. As previously stated, the lack of any subtitles (English or Spanish) was a definite minus for me. Apart from that it's still a great value DVD.

Average customer rating:

Toda Una Vida
Starring: Amparo Arozamena , Manuel Arvide , Roberto Canedo , Ma. Antonienta Pons , and Alberto Galan
Director: Juan José Ortega
Manufacturer: Excalibur
ProductGroup: DVD
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Description

Eugenia y Andrés, matrimonio bien avenido, celebran sus 24 años de casados acompañados de Roberto, eterno enamorado de Eugenia, y Hortensia, hija de una amiga fallecida de Eugenia a quien esta quiere y protege como a una hija. Hortensia entra a trabajar como secretaria de Andrés y advierte que está enamorada de él y para evitar conflictos se va a vivir sola y debuta como cantante en un Cabaret. Entonces Hortensia y Andrés viven un tórrido romance y ella resulta embarazada. Los amantes van juntos a todas partes y la gente murmura pero nadie se atreve a decirle nada a Eugenia. En una fiesta Hortensia se desmaya y es necesario que la operen de emergencia. Eugenia se entera por las enfermeras que el padre del bebé es Andrés. Roberto, aún enamorado de Eugenia, le ofrece matrimonio en caso de que ella se divorcie, pero cuando Andrés anuncia que Hortensia ha muerto, Eugenia noblemente decide seguir con su marido y hacerse cargo del recién nacido. Eugenia and Andrés, a happy couple, celebrate 24 years of marriage accompanied by Roberto, who has always been in love with Eugenia, and Hortensia, the daughter of Eugenia's dead friend whom Eugenia loves and protects like a daughter. Hortensia becomes Andres' secretary and realizes she is in love with him, so to avoid a conflict, she sets out on her own and becomes a singer in a nightclub. Hortensia and Andrés then have a sizzling affair and she gets pregnant. The lovers go everywhere together and people gossip, but no one dares tell Eugenia. At a party, Hortensia faints and must have an emergency operation. The nurses tell Eugenia that Andrés is the baby's father. Roberto, still in love with Eugenia, offers to marry her if she gets a divorce, but when Andrés announces that Hortensia has died, Eugenia nobly decides to stay with Andrés and take care of the newborn.

Average customer rating:

Albur de Amor
Starring: Pedro Armendáriz , Gilberto Gonzalez , Emma Roldan , and Susana Cora
Manufacturer: Excalibur
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Description

El joven mozo Efrén cuida de la joven hacendada en ausencia de su madre y se enamora de ella. Esta lo desprecia por su condición social y Efrén se marcha hacia la costa, se convierte en un prominente gallero y con el tiempo regresa a desafiar a la joven hacendada que también posee gallos de pelea. Apuestan todas sus pertenencias en una sola pelea, ganando el gallo de la joven, pero ésta se entera que Efrén se ha dejado ganar por el amor que todavía le tiene. La joven no se quedará cruzada de brazos y buscará la revancha sin saber que se juega un albur de amor. In Spanish No Subtitles Young servant Efrén takes care of the rancher's daughter while her mother is away and falls in love with her. She rejects him because of his lowly status and he leaves the ranch. In time, he becomes a prominent owner of fighting cock and returns to challenge the daughter, who also owns cocks. They bet their entire property on a single fight and her cock wins, but she finds out that Efrén lost on purpose because he still loves her. She cannot accept this situation and looks for another fight to bet on, not realizing that she is gambling on love. In Spanish No Subtitles

Average customer rating:

El Indio
Starring: Pedro Armendáriz , Carlos Lopez Moctezuma , Enrique Cancino , and Dolores Camarillo
Director: Armando Vargas de la Maza
Manufacturer: Excalibur
ProductGroup: DVD
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Description

En una hacienda de los tiempos del Porfiriato, los obreros indios son maltratados y abusados por el cacique dueño de la hacienda. Este pretende a la joven Cristina, hija de su socio. El rico hacendado y el socio tratan de engañar al indio Julián para que los lleve a donde se encuentran los tesoros arqueológicos de la región. Al negarse el indio, el padre y el hacendado intentan colgarlo pero otro indio de nombre Felipe (Pedro Armendáriz) lo salva e inicia la rebelión de los indígenas en contra de los hacendados y caciques de la región. In Spanish No Subtitles At a time when Mexico was still ruled by land barons and local chieftains, the owner of a hacienda mistreats and abuses his native workers. The hacienda owner and his partner try to fool Julián, a native, into taking them to the place where the local archeological treasures are. When Julián refuses, they try to hang him, but Felipe, another native (played by Pedro Armendáriz), saves him and starts a rebellion of the indigenous people against the landowners and chieftains of the region. . In Spanish No Subtitles

DVD:

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