Books or movies about merlin, king arthur, knights of the round table, etc?

Question

I just watched the 1998 or 96 (can't remember) TV series called Merlin. It was really great, and I'd like to learn more about that specific era. Are there any fantasy books/movies about these guys?

Thanks

Answer 1

You can start with modern novels and and films, which often contain much invention by the modern authors. The film “First Knight'' in particular is one where much of it is simple invention found in no previous Arthurian tale. The film “King Arthur” has even more modern invention in it.



What do you expect from Hollywood?



Or you can start by reading the genuine medieval tales, These are also mostly invention, in that the tales they tell never really happened, but they are at least the authentic medieval tales, rather than modern inventions.



For medieval tales in print in modern English see:

http://www.amazon.com/Medieval-Arthurian-Modern-English-Translations-%231/lm/R3KPSDORBZLMJ6/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full

http://www.amazon.com/Medieval-Arthurian-Modern-English-Translations-%232/lm/R2S7V81SU470N6/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full

http://www.amazon.com/Medieval-Lancelot-Modern-English-Translations/lm/R2SR3FRVTQ2CIU/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full

http://www.amazon.com/Medieval-Tristan-Modern-English-Translations/lm/R3JLROH1RM9MI0/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full



Malory’s “Le Morte d’Arthur” is generally the source for most modern English efforts.



In the 19th century Tennyson's “Idylls of the King” had an impact equal to that of Tolkien’s fantasy in the 20th century.



Twentieth century reworkings recommended by many are:

T.H. White’s “The Sword in the Stone” and “The Once and Future King”;

Mary Stewart's “The Crystal Cave”, “The Hollow Hills”, “The Last Enchantment”, “The Prince and the Pilgrim”, ”The Wicked Day”;

Marion Zimmer Bradley's “The Mists of Avalon”;

Thomas Berger's “Arthur Rex: A Legendary Novel”,

Bernard Cornwall's “The Winter King”, “Enemy of God'', and “Excalibur”.



Films about Arthur have not been very successful, save for “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, which is a magnificent parody. But John Boorman's “Excalibur” is generally recommended as a good reworking of the medieval tales (mixed with his own invention).



Note that some of the above material is available on the web. See http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/mainmenu.htm .



Note that there is no single accepted Arthurian continuity. Even medieval works purporting to cover the same events are often very different from one another.

Answer 2

Excalibur by John Boorman, made about 1986 or so.

It is a reasonable depiction of mythic ideals.



For books try The Mists of Avalon series by Marion Zimmer Bradley, or MAry Stewarts Crystal Cave series. For the knights go back to medieval legends or some old Hollywood films.

Answer 3

First Knight

Answer 4

Wow. Morte d'Arthur would be a great place to start.

Answer 5

fancast