TV Times

TV Times

‘King Arthur’ : The Never Ending Legend
By Harinda Vidanage
A high profile team of individuals renowned for hit movie making has got togather to bring into life the mythical but one of the most loved characters back to life. From producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Black Hawk Down), director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) and writer David Franzoni. ìKing Arthur, a spectacular, epic tale of one man’s destiny to become king. Historians have thought for centuries King Arthur as a spectacular, epic tale of one man’s destiny to become king.

The Director, Producer and Screen Writer of King Arthur will only be introduced from the movies which they are famous for and will explain what caliber of dynamism is out to the production of this epic 235 minute long movie. Apart from the movies mentioned above Jerry buckheimer is better known for his works in the light of The Rock, Con Air, Armageddon, Enemy of the State and, Gone in 60 Seconds. The Director Antoine Fuqua for Training Day and Tears of the Sun, debuting with the movie Replacement Killers he has never looked back. David Franzoni the script writer will never be forgotten for his magical text for the award winning Gladiator.

The story line adapted in this movie attempts to address the controversy surrounding the mere existence of the individual in the name of King Arthur. It attempts to locate the unraveling and the rise of the realistic figure of Arthur. Historians have thought for centuries that King Arthur was only a myth, but the legend was based on a real hero, torn between his private ambitions and his public sense of duty. A reluctant leader, Arthur (Clive Owen) wishes only to leave Britain and return to the peace and stability of Rome.

Before he can, one final mission leads him and his Knights of the Round Table Lancelot, Galahad, Bors, Tristan, and Gawain to the conclusion that when Rome is gone, Britain will need a leader to fill the vacuum someone not only to defend against the current threat of invading Saxons, but to lead the isle into a new age. Under the guidance of Merlin, a former enemy, and the beautiful, courageous Guinevere (Keira Knightley) by his side, Arthur will have to find the strength within him to change the course of history. Thrilling adventure, edge-of-your-seat action and historical grandeur come together in this unique look at the origins of one of the greatest legends ever told.

Franzoni took the outline of his story from history: in Eastern Europe, in what would become Russia, there exists a warrior race that serves as one of Rome’s constant and formidable adversaries, called the Sarmatians. Later who turned out to ally with the Romans and served as the Vanguard of the Roman Infantry and may be identified as the Special Forces of the Roman Army.

The movie draws the story line based on a Sarmatian cavalry unit under the command of the half-Roman, half-British Lucius Artorius Castus/ Arthur, who is assigned to protect Britain from the barbarian Saxons who were encroaching from beyond the great dividing line of Hadrianís Wall. Castusís crew, including Lancelot, Gawain, Galahad, Bors, Tristan, and Dagonet, were a tough, merciless outfit, hated and feared by the native Woads, who were under the command of a mysterious shaman and guerrilla leader called Merlin.

Into this midst, Franzoni weaves the tale of one last deadly assignment for Arthur and his battle-hardened troop, a daring search-and-rescue mission, before they can return to the safety of Rome. Together with his troops, Arthur travels north through Woad country and deep into the heart of enemy territory.

His mission is to rescue Marius, a Roman nobleman and his family, ahead of the advancing Saxon forces. After the rescue, the human convoy, including Guinevere and a number of Briton women and children, head south to Hadrian’s Wall, which marked the end of the Roman empire all the time one step ahead of the pursuing Saxons led by their merciless commander Cerdic (acclaimed Swedish actor Stellan SkarsgÂrd (Insomnia) was cast as the ruthless Cerdic). En route, Arthur is persuaded by Guinevere that he and his knights are all that lie between the pillaging Saxons and the massacre of thousands of innocents. Ultimately, Arthur and his knights make a stand in the decisive battle of Badon Hill. Which changed the history of Briton and elevated Arthur’s reputation to mythical heights as a Hero and leader?

With an ensemble of cast which includes Clive Owen, Stephen Dillane, Keira Knightley, Hugh Dancy, Ioan Gruffudd, Stellan Skarsgaard, Ray Winstone, Valeria Cavalli, Charlie Creed-Miles, Joel Edgerton, Sean Gilder, Pat Kinevane, Ivano Marescotti, Mads Mikkelsen, Til Schweiger, Ray Stevenson, Ken Stott, King Arthur proves that epics possess the potential to become great cinematic creations.

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