DVD Corner

Knights Of The Round Table Blu-ray Review

“Knights Of The Round Table” is a stiff retelling of the Arthurian legend.

Based on “Le Morte d’Arthur” by Sir Thomas Malory, 1953’s “Knights Of The Round Table” is a historical adventure penned by Talbot Jennings, Jan Lustig, and Noel Langley. The story begins with England in disarray and in need of a King. Merlin claims that anyone who pulls Excalibur from the anvil and stone will be King. Morgan LeFay’s lover Modred attempts to but fails while Arthur removes the sword. To make a long story short, Modred wages war against Arthur, Lancelot and company but also fails at that. Arthur becomes King, he marries Guinevere, he forms the Knights of the Round Table, and there is at last peace. Well, the peace doesn’t last as Morgan LeFay and Modred plot their revenge. What follows is Lancelot/Guinevere scandal, war, Percival searching for The Holy Grail, murder, and more. 

While watching “Knights Of The Round Table,” it occurred to me that I’d much rather be watching “Monty Python And The Holy Grail” for the umpteenth time. Even though it’s a comedic spoof, it elicits emotion and laughter. ‘Knights’ is about as stiff of a production as there is. It’s all window dressing. Sure, it looks like a visual triumph with the lavish costumes, lush location shooting, massive sets, battle scenes, and sword fights (although not the most well choreographed ones outside of the climactic Lancelot v Modred fight), but this grand literary tale gets a dramatically inert presentation. Director Richard Thorpe bores you to tears with melodrama and none of the character moments have any life to them. How can this grand tale be so dull?

The cast doesn’t help much here as many are miscast. Felix Aylmer makes a good Merlin but his screen time is sadly limited. Robert Taylor tries as Lancelot. He at least does a good job with the physical aspect and is a lot more engaging than Arthur (Mel Ferrer). Ava Gardner is serviceable as Guinevere and Stanley Baker gives the film a much needed spark (well, as much of a spark as you can get here anyway) as the villainous Modred. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.55:1 1080p. How does it look? The Cinemascope film dazzles in hi-def with sharper colors and image quality.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The 2.0 track also fares well here with the rousing Miklos Rozsa score and action.

Extras:
* An intro by Mel Ferrer
* A cartoon titled “One Droopy Knight.”
* Original theatrical trailer
* Short film titled “Jubilee Overture.”
* Newsreel footage of the Gala Premiere.

August 11, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | King Arthur, Knights Of The Round Table Blu-ray Review, Lancelot, Merlin, The Holy Grail, Warner Archive