in my opinion this film be unique . it follow thomas mallory le morte darthur fairly accurately . this be something rarely achieve by other film focus on the genre . the casting be excellent and nigel terry portray both the naive boyish arthur and the elder statesman with great panaché . helen mirren make for a convincingly evil morgan le faye whilst the gorgeous cheri lunghi shine a arthur bride . lancelot be convince a he struggle with divided loyalty but the main credit for the film success must surely go to nicol williamson a merlin . the film attempt to portray a dark period of english history and this be convincingly portray in the atmosphere and costume and make up of the actor but by adopt a light hearted portrayal of a serious character and he manage to balance just the right amount of comic relief . towards the film conclusion the charge of the knight through the orchard to the sound of a choir sing the carmina birana have to be one of the high point of british cinema .