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The Mists of Avalon (TV miniseries)

The Mists of Avalon
Mists of Avalon DVD cover.jpg
The Mists of Avalon DVD Cover
Based on The Mists of Avalon
by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Screenplay by Gavin Scott
Story by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Directed by Uli Edel
Starring Anjelica Huston
Julianna Margulies
Joan Allen
Samantha Mathis
Edward Atterton
Michael Vartan
Theme music composer Lee Holdridge
Production
Producer(s) Gideon Amir
Bernd Eichinger
Cinematography Vilmos Zsigmond
Editor(s) Michael H. Friedlander
Benjamin A. Weissman
Running time 183 minutes
Distributor Turner Network Television
Release
Original network TNT
Original release July 15, 2001

The Mists of Avalon is a 2001 miniseries based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Produced by American cable channel TNT, adapted by Gavin Scott, and directed by Uli Edel the series is a retelling of the Arthurian legend with an emphasis on the perspectives of Morgan le Fay and other women of the tale. The first episode was the highest-rated original movie on basic cable in the summer of 2001.

The film begins with a battered, dirty, and injured Morgaine riding in a small boat through a misty river. Most of the film is a reflection through her eyes, with Morgaine as narrator.

In the beginning of the film, the Saxons are invading Britain. It is noted that a strong king is needed to unite Pagans and Christians and defeat the Saxons before Avalon, the island central to the pagan priestesses who worship the Three-fold Goddess (Maiden, Mother and Crone), and who are the female counterparts to the male Druids, and Britain are lost. Morgaine is eight-years-old, living with her pagan mother Igraine and Christian father Gorlois. Igraine's younger sister, Morgause, lives with them too. One day, their oldest sister, Viviane, the Lady of the Lake, High Priestess of Avalon, along with the Merlin, current holder of the title of the chief Druid, come to Igraine with a prophecy that she will bear the Pagan/Christian king who is destined to beat the Saxons. Igraine is distressed after being told that the child will not be Gorlois', and she refuses to bear the heir. Merlin explains that the father of the great king would be wearing a dragon on his arm, but Igraine will not listen. Suddenly, little Morgaine has a vision, seeing her father dead. Viviane is pleased yet concerned that Morgaine has "the Sight", as this gift so revered by her people is considered evil and unnatural by the Christians.


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