King Pt.1: A Legacy Fulfilled

Author(s): Pierre Davis
Location: Ohio

“King Pt.1: A Legacy Fulfilled”

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Produced by: Steven Spielberg and George Lucas
Written by: George Lucas
Score by: John Williams
Cinematography: Janusz Zygmuni Kaminski

Principal Cast:

Haley Joel Osment as Arthur
Albert Finney as King Uther
Sigourney Weaver as Queen Igraine
Tim Robbins as Merlin
Jonathan Rhys Meyer as Sir Kay
Ralph Fiennes as Sir Ector

Tagline: "A legacy wanted by many but meant for one''

Running Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and frightening images.
Filming Locations: Vancouver and U.S.A
Produced in U.S.A
Studios: 20th century Fox and Dreamworks
Genre: Action Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy, and Adaptaion
Filmed in black and white with some scenes in color

Release Date:
April 15th 2008

Synopsis: From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg is the first of a 3 part epic of the life of the worlds greatest king, King Arthur bringing him back to true form as a medieval knight from the day he was born, the day his father fell sick and died then pulling the sword Excalibur from the stone to fulfill his legacy.

Not wanting to give up his identity before Artorius Castus a.k.a Arthur was born, Merlin asked Arthur’s father King Uther that he give up his son born unto Queen Igraine to foster parents. Knowing Merlin to be wise King Uther decided to give up his son to the loyal Sir Ector. Born and wrapped in a gold cloth he was taken to Merlin and baptized by a priest who gave him the name Arthur.

Falling sick King Uthers enemies began to overrun his kingdom but with the help from Merlin his enemies quickly failed. With his sickness growing worse each day until finally not being able to talk for three days and three nights. Asking King Uther if it his will for Arthur to succeed to the throne Merlin found out that it was Arthur’s legacy to become king. While Arthur is still a child a war began to pursue for the throne of the dead King Uther. With Britain in jeopardy Merlin gave the archbishop advice. Promising that the true succession of the British throne will be revealed the folks of Britain hoped that it would be one of them. In front of the great church St. Paul stood a marble block which held a fantastic sword in which Merlin put for people to find out the true heir to the throne. 4 feet square with the sword going through a steel anvil the block read: WHOSE PULLETH OUTE THIS SWERD OF THE STONE AND ANVLD IS RIGHTWYS KYNGE BORN OF ALL BRYTAYGNE(Whoever pulls this sword out of this stone and anvil is rightwise king born of all Britain). Men tried left and right to pull out this miraculous sword from the stone but all failed. Being recently knighted Sir Kay the son of Sir Ector rode to a tournament being held on New Year’s Day to provide men with noble blood his right to the throne but he was missing his sword.

Asking Arthur to go and fetch his sword but the house that Sir Kay’s sword was locked. Wanting to not disappoint his brother Arthur tried his fait and galloped to St. Paul ’s to get the sword stuck in the stone. With everyone being gone to the tournament Arthur tugged the sword without any struggle. Galloping back to the tournament Arthur gave Sir Kay the sword. After realizing that this was the sword stuck in the stone Sir Kay presented the stone to his father. Not believing his son Sir Ector insisted they ride back to the church to see how Sir Kay pulled out the sword. After realizing he is caught in a lie he finally gave up the truth that Arthur presented him with the sword. Arthur proved that he pulled the sword and they both knelt before him. After finding out about his past Arthur makes Sir Kay the Royal Seneschal (person in charge of the royal household). Pulling out the stone another time in front of dukes and barons but they protested because they thought he was not of noble blood. Finally Arthur removed the sword at Pentecost (seventh Sunday after Easter) and was demanded to once be made king. With the final scene being him promising to give the nobles who have been robbed of their lands and establish peace and order.

What the press would say:

A movie about King Arthur and his legacy has not been brought to life better than what Steven Spielberg has done. Cementing his place in move history with this fantastic first part of a three part epic Spielberg has done what few can do in a lifetime with this one movie. With the fantastic writing of Paul Haggis and the academy award winning special effects team behind Jurassic Park this movie gives critics chills and dares one of them to point out a weak point. After a absence from the big screen for a couple of years Haley Joel Osment brings the part of young King Arthur to life with his portrayal of a boy who has yet to know what his destiny is. Seen over by the great Merlin which is surprisingly portrayed brilliantly by Tim Robbins Sir Ector makes sure that young Arthur grows up a strong man. Sir Ector comes to life by Ralph Fiennes who most thought couldn’t portray a character like this. Mrs. Sigourney Weaver is back with a force and you can see with the very limited amount of screen time that she has. I have a feeling that even though she has limited screen time, like Michelle Williams in Brokeback Mountain Sigourney could ultimately gain a nomination. Albert Finney and Jonathan Rhys Meyer round off this fantastic ensemble with great performances by them also. Jonathan who really comes off as an arrogant man, who takes Arthur for advantage, really captures moviegoers. With John Williams you know that the score of the movie will be exceptional. The movie of the year is an understatement this is the movie of the past decade. Not since Lord of the Rings can a picture like this be nominated for an academy award for best picture but I truly believe come award season critics will not be able to deny this film due to box office records it is sure to break this movie will be honored greatly:

“Simply irresistible, a movie sure to go down in cinema history”- Roger Ebert
“Even though they are not present you can feel the creative force within the minds of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg”- Peter Travers
“Regardless of competition this movie is sure to gain recognition not only from the academy but from people all over the globe”- Christopher Null
“Sigourney Weaver is brilliant, Tim Robbins wise and Haley Joel Osment is a lock for his second academy award nomination” – Richard Roeper
“Two Thumbs Way Up”-Ebert and Roeper

Possible Nominations:

Best Picture: Steven Spielberg and George Lucas
Best Director: Steven Spielberg
Best Adapted Screenplay: George Lucas
Best Score: John Williams
Best Actor: Haley Joel Osment
Best Supporting Actor: Tim Robbins, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and/or Ralph Fiennes
Best Supporting Actress: Sigourney Weaver
Best Costume Design: Anna Sheppard
Best Cinematography: Janusz Zygmuni Kaminski
Best Art Direction: Allan Starski
Best Sound Effects: Richard Hymns and Gary Rydstrom
Best Visual Effects: Stan Winston, Phil Tippett, Michael Lantieri and Dennis Muren
Best Make Up: Howard Berger and Tami Lane
Best Editing: Michael Kahn