Merlin

[jesperi]

I just finished watching the 1998 made for TV movie Merlin with Sam Neil. I've always enjoyed that series and I thought it was one of the best made for TV fantasy series. But this time around it posed and interesting question that I don't know if I have the answer to, so I thought I'd open it up here. So for everyone who's seen the series I pose

Comments

[noplate]

I think its the second, just unwittingly played the chess game.

And yeah we just got done watching that too. Still, best quote. "I find it better to be a coward for a second than dead forever."

[aden_nak]

I see no reason why he can't be both. As underhanded as it might sound, sometimes one has to scheme and manipulate people in order to try to help them. Of course, most people lack both the acumen and the selflessness, but that's no reason it's not impossible.

On the other hand, every two bit thug and tin pot dictator has used the same excuse.

[jesperi]

I think as usual you've hit the heart of the matter. I think it's the things you postulated that make it such an interesting question and why I asked it in the first place. I also think that it's some of these elements and questions that make Merlin such a better film than people might otherwise give a made for TV fantasy mini series.

[jawachick]

I watched this film for one of my first grad classes on King Arthur in Film and Fiction. My boyfriend feels the same about the film as you do. He loves it.

I think its a little of both... at least in that film. That's not my all time favorite. It feels a little Disney for me. Definitely rent or borrow the new "King Arthur" with Knightly in it. I found that film a refreshing, historical attempt at the Arthur myths. It's not the same fairy-tale kind of business.

[jesperi]

I have already seen the new "King Arthur" movie about a dozen times. :P I rather love it. But Merlin is an old favorite. I dig the fairy-tale element in that movie and thought it was rather well done compared to some. As I've said earlier, I also really enjoy the fine line the character of Merlin walks between schemer/manipulator and benevolent guide.

But I will also say, the new King Arthur movie was a very interesting attempt to rationalize and explain the origins of the Arthurian legends.

I enjoy them both just for completely different reasons.