Zack Snyder’s Secret Obsession: Liam Neeson’s Epic Fantasy Debut

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Filmmaker Zack Snyder is recognized for his movies that blend stylish visuals with intense themes like sex and violence, drawn from comic books. So, it’s fitting that his favorite movie, an epic fantasy steeped in expressionistic imagery and featuring a generous dose of sex and violence, is John Boorman’s Excalibur (1981). Snyder has often referred to this abridged rendition of the King Arthur tale as “deeply moving” and “the ideal fusion of cinema and mythology,” and has incorporated its aesthetic into his own body of work.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but sing praises for the cinematic masterpiece that is “Excalibur.” This film stands out due to its intense and vivid battle scenes, breathtaking visuals captured through stunning cinematography, and a soundtrack that resonates with compositions by Richard Wagner and Carl Orff. It’s not just the visual and auditory delights that make it memorable; “Excalibur” also played a significant role in launching the careers of several talented British and Irish actors. Among them were Ciarán Hinds, Patrick Stewart, Gabriel Byrne, and even Liam Neeson, who made an indelible impression as the daring yet reckless Sir Gawain, one of King Arthur’s brave Knights of the Round Table from Camelot (played by Nigel Terry).

Before ‘Game of Thrones,’ There Was ‘Excalibur’

In essence, the storyline of “Excalibur” primarily revolves around the enchanted sword, Excalibur, which a young Arthur draws from the stone, foreshadowing his destiny as king. However, unlike a traditional fairy tale with its promise of eternal happiness, this movie presents the legend in a more realistic and gruesome light. It portrays Camelot and its environs as places filled with illicit affairs (even incest), brutal conflicts, decaying bodies, and unsteady alliances that frequently lead to treachery.

As a dedicated admirer, I can’t help but express my awe at the breathtaking landscapes of Ireland that were meticulously captured in Boorman’s masterpiece, Excalibur. The outdoor shots, drenched in a soft, grayish-green hue, exude an enchanting melancholy beauty that is simply captivating. Cinephilia & Beyond aptly points out how the filmmaker’s strategic use of green gel-filtered lights imbued the Irish countryside with a luminous, dreamlike quality, particularly whenever the mystical Excalibur was drawn.

The pristine greenery of the cinematography serves as a stark contrast to the vivid redness of the bloodshed that permeates the battle scenes. This visual juxtaposition poignantly illustrates how the characters’ destructive pride and greed mar the natural world around them. The stunning scenery and lighting in Excalibur were so mesmerizing that they earned the film a well-deserved nomination for Best Cinematography, marking its sole recognition in this prestigious category.

In the movie Excalibur, although Trevor Jones provides the main score, significant scenes like Arthur pulling the sword from the stone and assembling his Knights of the Round Table are accentuated with compositions by two renowned German musicians. Interestingly, the event of extracting the sword is accompanied by “Siegfried’s Funeral March” from Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen, which might symbolize the doom and destruction that will later engulf his rule in a dramatic twist. As the movie nears its end, when Arthur, now healed, calls his troops to confront his power-hungry son Mordred (Robert Addie), the stirring “O Fortuna” from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana plays, instilling in viewers a sense of shared determination and confidence that mirrors Arthur’s renewed spirit.

Why Does Snyder Love ‘Excalibur’ So Much?

Snyder admires Excalibur for its mature interpretation of the fantasy genre, often perceived as solely for young audiences. In the 2010 issue of DGA Quarterly, Snyder drew parallels between Boorman’s portrayal of violence in Excalibur and his own in Watchmen (2009), stating that “Watchmen depicted the harsh reality of being a superhero – people actually die. And that’s what Excalibur is about.” Given Snyder’s reputation for featuring more death and violence than usual in comic book movies, it’s not surprising that he would appreciate the film’s grittier, more adult-focused take on its genre.

Indeed, I find myself captivated by the enchanting, “painterly” quality of Excalibur. The way it subtly contrasts the world of life and death is truly mesmerizing, as if it’s weaving two realities together. It’s almost as if the forests of Ireland in this film leap straight from a fairy tale into our screens, making the surreal feel strikingly real. Snyder elaborates on this point, highlighting these intriguing parallels and the role of lighting in establishing these alternate dimensions.

This setting seems reminiscent of an idealized, medieval-style England that one might imagine. It appears timeless, as though it exists outside of any specific historical context. In certain aspects, it feels like another world altogether.

He also draws a parallel between the extraordinary beauty of Excalibur and that seen in his movie, 300 (2006), offering an astute observation about the connection between historical period films and the fantasy genre: “Boorman is crafting a myth for us. We transformed a real event into a myth. What did people imagine before movies? That was the stylized aspect of 300.

It’s quite clear that Snyder holds a deep respect for the legend of Excalibur, as evidenced by direct references in two of his own movies – 300 (2006) and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). In these films, as well as another, the hero is pierced by a spear or staff from an adversary, yet manages to move along the weapon’s length to get close enough to vanquish his enemy before ultimately succumbing to his wounds. This dramatic image of a warrior being impaled but still triumphing over his foes has a unique blend of excessive drama and emotional release that makes it a fitting choice for Snyder to replicate in his work – not once, but twice.

‘Excalibur’ Gave Liam Neeson a Particular Set of Acting Skills

Regardless of whether one appreciates the movie “Excalibur” or not, there is a significant reason that many cinephiles should appreciate its existence: it ignited Liam Neeson’s film career. In an interview with ComingSoon.net, Neeson admitted that he had little to no experience acting in front of a camera before “Excalibur.” However, fortunately for him, “John [Boorman] was an excellent mentor… He would take us behind the camera and explain, ‘This is what I see…’ It was a truly enriching experience.

As a passionate cinephile, if Zack Snyder’s endorsement doesn’t sway some of you to experience the magic of Excalibur, perhaps learning about its significant impact on the film industry might do the trick. This timeless classic indirectly played a role in shaping iconic films such as Schindler’s List (1993), Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), and Batman Begins (2004) – just to name a few.

Despite not being streamable on any platform, you can still watch the movie ‘Excalibur’ by renting or buying it from various online sources such as YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango Now.

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2025-02-10 01:03