KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE

US, 1953, 115 minutes, Colour.
Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Mel Ferrer, Anne Crawford, Stanley Baker, Felix Aylmer, Maureen Swanson, Niall Mc Guinness.
Directed by Richard Thorpe.

One of M.G.M's first Cinemascope spectacles. Richard Thorpe who had directed Ivanhoe with Robert Taylor again directs this star in an action adventure. They were to work together in many films including the similar Quentin Durwood. Mel Ferrer is a rather stolid King Arthur but Ava Gardner looks the part as Guinevere. There in a strong British supporting cast including Felix Aylmer as Merlin and Stanley Baker and Anne Crawford as Mordred and Morgan la Fey.

The treatment of the Camelot myth is in the old style Saturday matinee heroic mould. The presentation of Camelot is very elaborate and in the lavish medieval style. This was a period of interest in the Arthurian legends with films on the Black Knight, Prince Valiant and an epic about later times, The Black Shield of Falworth. Other treatments of the Arthurian. legend include Cornel Wilde's Lancelot and Guinevere, Disney's version of T.H. White's The Sword in the Stone and, of course, the musical Camelot. Knights of the Round Table is elaborate and lavish entertainment.

1. The appeal of King Arthur and the Round Table, costume melodrama and adventure? Interest, entertainment?

2. The contribution of the location photography, Cinemascope, medieval decor, sets, costumes? The rousing score?

3. Audience interest in Arthur, chivalry, the legends and myths of Camelot? Heroism? Fidelity and infidelity? The happiness of Camelot and its unhappy ending?

4. The establishing of the background of England and the clashes of the nobles? The clash between Arthur and Mordred for kingship? The influence of Morgan le Fey? Merlin and his authority? The drawing out of the sword Excalibur? The neighbouring kings and their hostilities, the Picts and their antagonism? The needs for a united England? Arthur and his conquest and battles? Mordred and his rebellion?

5. The character of Arthur? His inheritance, his own qualities - a convincing king? The initial fight with Lancelot? Their comradeship? The establishing of the Round Table and its code, the guidance of Merlin, his love for Guinevere, the possibilities of a great kingdom?

6. The reasons for the failure of Camelot? Mordred and Morgan le Fey and their rebellion, the weakness of human nature, the excesses of power? Arthur and his isolation and loneliness? The betrayal by Guinevere? His decline and the exile of Lancelot?

7. Lancelot as hero of the film? Robert Taylor and his style? Lancelot's French background, his introduction to England, the fighting of Arthur, the encounter with Elaine? His service of Arthur, his being a man of battle? The encounter with Guinevere and wearing her token? His infatuation with her? The importance of the marriage to Elaine and his love for her? His work in the North? His being the victim of Morgan le Fey's plans? His being trapped by Guinevere's indiscretion? The exile, the fight with Mordred? The experience with Percival and his being the father of Galahad?

8. The character of Guinevere - the impact of Ava Gardner's personality, the encounter with Lancelot, the marriage with Arthur, her infatuation with Lancelot and the way this was portrayed, her loneliness, her indiscretion, the punishment? The fall of Camelot because of her infidelity?

9. The character of Mordred and his continued rebellion, seizing his opportunities, the final defeat by Lancelot? Morgan le Fey an his accomplice, the murder of Merlin, her grief at Mordred’s death?

10. The tradition of Merlin an Wizard? The wise courtier, his influence on the court, his role in preserving the peace of Camelot, his death and its influence on the collapse of Camelot?

11. Percival as the good knight, brother of Elaine, service of Arthur, the search for the Grail and his religious experience? Elaine and her happiness at court, the marriage to Lancelot, the mother of Galahad?

12. The portraits of the various knights, their presence at Camelot, the Round Table and its code? The importance of the trial of Lancelot in his absence? Lancelot's return and the Round Table's decline?

13. The ingredients of adventure and action: the battle scenes, the sword fights, especially those of Lancelot and his battle with Mordred?

14. The traditions of Camelot and audience interest, the values and ideals of Camelot? Medieval battles, the thirst for fighting, violence and honour? The critique of these attitudes in later decades?