KING ARTHUR (2004)

MORGAN'S RATING

COMING SOON

As the Roman Empire crumbles, the British Isles are thrown into a loose anarchy as errant knights are entrenched in years of territorial battle. Then, one king emerges to unite them, Arthur, with his concept of a Round Table of united knights. The film aims to tie the legend of Arthur into the realities of the time in which he would have ruled. The details of the plot aren't known, but this film will likely depict the battles that lead to Arthur's reign, and the issues that he would have dealth with.

Clive Owen (Arthur), Ioan Gruffudd (Lancelot), Mads Mikkelsen (Tristan), Joel Edgerton (Gawain), Hugh Dancy (Galahad), Ray Winstone (Bors), Ray Stevenson (Dagonet), Keira Knightley (Guinevere), Stephen Dillane (Merlin), Stellan Skarsgard (Cerdic), Til Schweiger (Cynric), Sean Gilder (Jols), Pat Kinevane (Horton), Ivano Marescotti (Bishop Germanius), Ken Stott (Marcus Honorius), Lorenzo De Angelis (Alecto), Stefania Orsola Garello (Fulcinia), Alan Devine (British Scout), Charlie Creed-Miles (Ganis), Johnny Brennan (Lucan), David Murray (Merline's Lt.), Ned Dennehy (Mental Monk), Phelim Drew (Obnoxious Monk), Des Braiden (Third Monk), Malachy McKenna (Cerdic's Scout), Brian McGuinness, Patrick Leech (Cerdic Officers), Bosco Hogan (Bishop Decoy), David Wilmot (Woad Killed by Lancelot), Lochlainn O'Mearain (Roman Commander), Paul McGlinchey, Dessie Gallagher (Mercenary's), Maria Gladkowska (Arthur's Mother), Shane Murray-Corcoran (Young Arthur), Daire McCormack (Agustus).

THE UNTOLD TRUE STORY THAT INSPIRED THE LEGEND.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Antoine Fuqua (Training Day). WRITER: David Franzoni. PRODUCER: Jerry Bruckheimer. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: James Flynn, Bruce Moriarty, and Morgan O'Sullivan.  EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Ned Dowd Chad Oman and Mike Stenson. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Hans Zimmer. DISTRIBUTOR: Touchstone Pictures.

QUOTES

Lancelot: There is a large number of lonely men out there. Guinevere: Don't worry, I won't let them rape you.

FACTS

British Scout: [after meeting Arthur] Finally, a man worth killing.

RELEASE DATE: July 7th, 2004 (USA) DVD RELEASE DATE: TBA 2004 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $15.1 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $50.7 million* (USA) BUDGET: $120 million (USA) SHOOTING DATES: April 2003 -- November 2003 - When the project was first announced in early 2001, Michael Bay was in talks to direct. He left the project due to budget concerns. Bay had developed the project for over five years. - Laurence Fishburne narrated the teaser trailer. - Although the weather seems very cold and dreary, the movie was shot during a near record high temperatures in Ireland. - According to Ioan Gruffudd (Lancelot), the camera operator wore a motorcycle crash helmet and were constantly surrounded by men with riot shields because of the intense action sequences happening around them. - The thunder shots during the Excalibur sequence closely resemble the animation from Bruckheimer's production logo.

Arthur: Mark my face, for the next time you see it, it will be the last thing you see on this earth.

Cerdic: Arthur, wherever I go on this island, I hear your name.

Bors: I love all my bastards! Especially Number Three! He's a good fighter. Lancelot: That's because he's mine.

Gawain: I can't wait to get off this island. If it's not raining, it's snowing and if it's not snowing, it's foggy. Lancelot: And that's summer.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Gimme an angry, bitter Mordred. Gimmie seething, forbidden love and a noble leader tortured by treachery all around him. Gimme anything but this wannabe Braveheart." -- Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star

"It turns out to be as much of a swoony valentine to a social ideal that never existed as any other Arthurian text. But at least it takes the conversation with history somewhat seriously." -- Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

"The term "unintentional comedy" was coined for a movie such as this." -- James Berardinelli, Reel Views

"Never seems to quite know what's on its mind though individual scenes (a cool battle on the ice) have their moments." -- Mike Clark, USA Today