Merlin (film)
| Merlin | |
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DVD cover art
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| Written by | Edward Khmara David Stevens Peter Barnes |
| Directed by | Steve Barron |
| Starring |
Sam Neill Helena Bonham Carter John Gielgud Rutger Hauer Miranda Richardson Isabella Rossellini Martin Short |
| Theme music composer | Trevor Jones |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) |
Dyson Lovell Robert Halmi Sr. |
| Cinematography | Sergey Kozlov |
| Running time | 182 minutes |
| Distributor | Hallmark Entertainment |
| Budget | $30 million |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | April 26, 1998 – April 27, 1998 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Merlin's Apprentice |
Merlin is a television miniseries which originally aired in Merlin on NBC that retells the legend of King Arthur from the perspective of the wizard Merlin. Sam Neill stars in the title role in a story that covers not only the rise and fall of Camelot but also the phase in the legendary history of Britain that precedes it.
The film deviates from more traditional versions of the legend, notably by including new characters such as Queen Mab and by keeping Merlin through the whole reign of King Arthur over Britain (whereas in older versions Merlin left earlier on in the king's reign). The film was followed by a sequel in 2006, Merlin's Apprentice, which was more loosely connected with traditional Arthurian legend.
While facing the Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain, the spread of Christianity has weakened the power of Queen Mab (Miranda Richardson), goddess of the fey. Coupled with the destruction of both Christian and pagan holy sites due to the turmoil, Mab's world of magic faces imminent extinction. While her sister, the Lady of the Lake (Miranda Richardson in a dual role), accepts the inevitable, Mab vows to resist. She decides to create a wizard named Merlin, that she believes will bring people back to the "Old Ways" and save her and the kingdom. Merlin is born to Elissa, though he possesses no mortal father. Elissa dies shortly after giving birth to Merlin, leaving the child to be raised by Ambrosia (Billie Whitelaw), an old woman who used to be a pagan, but has since rejected Mab and the Old Ways. Ambrosia refuses to give the infant Merlin to Mab, arguing that love is needed to raise a child, and that Mab is not capable of providing it. Mab seems to agree and leaves, but warns Ambrosia that one day she will return and take him away once he manifests his powers. Merlin (Daniel Brocklebank) grows up with no knowledge of his true heritage, until he uses magic for the first time to save a nobleman's daughter named Nimue (Isabella Rossellini). They share a kiss and exchange names, and Merlin vows never to forget her.
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Wikipedia