The Mists of Avalon

Starring:Anjelica Huston, Julianna Margulies, Joan Allen, Samantha Mathis, Caroline Goodall, Edward Atterton, Michael Vartan, Michael Byrne, Hans Matheson, Mark Lewis Jones, Clive Russell, Noah Huntley, Tamsin Egerton, Edward Jewesbury, Honza Klima, Elias Zerael Bauer, Justin Muller, Karel Dobry, Christopher Fulford, Gabriela Zajickova
Director: Uli Edel
Studio: Turner Home Ent
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

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 tragedies, injustice, and all manner of obstacles in her duty to both "the goddess" and her younger brother, King Arthur. Although the action lags at times, the production is quite lavish for a made-for-television feature and the film is ultimately entertaining. --Robert J. McNamara

Description

The King is dead, long live the King, but who will it be? The answer is found on the battlefields and in the mystical and powerful manipulations of fate emanating from the women of the legendary isle of Avalon in this intrigue-filled retelling of the King Arthur/Camelot legend. Starring Julianna Margulies, Anjelica Huston, Joan Allen, Caroline Goodall, Edward Atterton, and Samantha Mathis.

Customer Reviews:

mists of avalon.......2007-07-02

the movie is somewhat off from the book, but i still love it!! i have always enjoyed the myths and legends about king arthur (even though it always goes back to lacalot and genivere). this is actually one of the better book/movies that i have seen/read about king arthur-and it takes a while to read the book-trust me, i actually have not made it all the way through the book yet.

Flawed pearl.......2007-06-07

It has good actors, yet it doesn't satisfy.
Maybe it is because it was made for TV and not even pay cable. The characters do not match the book.
Morgause, for instance, in the book starts off as a teenager, and is married young to Lot of Orkney. In the book she is played by an actress in her thirties. This kills a lot of her motivations.
Dissapointing.

Bland on every level.......2007-06-07

I read the book almost twenty years ago, but barely remember it. I realize this movie was made for TV, but it is so empty. It looks good enough, but it has no soul. Maybe the novel's length confounded the script, which stifled some usually good actors. Made for TV doesn't have to be this bland.

Mysts of Avalon.......2007-05-28

This movie is a definite MUST add to the Excaliber, Merlin,Etc fans dvd collections.

By the Book!!!.......2007-05-28

As a HUGE fan of Marion Zimmer Bradley, who wrote the novel, when I saw the movie, I was just STUNNED at how well it stuck to the book. It was like watching my mind reading the book all over again.

The movie (AND the novel, which you MUST read) portrays the factual, NOT fictional events that took place during the Era of the Christian, Anglo Saxon Crusades against the Druids, and other pagans of the land.

Ms. Huston, who portrayed Vivienne, Lady of the Lake, was PHENOMENOL.
As was the actress who portrayed Morgaine (Morgan, Morgan Le Fey, Morgana, and many other names she is known by in legend), the sister of King Arthur.

The movie brilliantly weaves the story about the WOMEN behind the throne, and puts King Arthur, Merlin, and Lancelot in more or less supporting roles, albeit powerful ones as well.

But the way this story is told, will leave you breathless.

A MUST SEE.

Average customer rating:

mists of avalon
Flawed pearl
Bland on every level
Mysts of Avalon
By the Book!!!

The Mists of Avalon
Starring: Anjelica Huston , Julianna Margulies , Joan Allen , Samantha Mathis , and Caroline Goodall
Director: Uli Edel
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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