Excalibur: The Movie Poster Art of Bob Peak
Excalibur, directed by John Boorman, had a lot going against it in 1981. One thing it did not have going against it was Bob Peak being its cinema poster artist.
Read MoreThe Truth of the Matter of Britain: Some thoughts upon re-reading Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord trilogy
There are small “t” truths, defined as either relatively well-known and observable facts, or commonly held and accepted beliefs. Then there is capital T truth, the truth of emotional and human existence. Which historical truth in no way negates. The story of Arthur contains truths equally as important as historical fact.
Read MoreOne Land, One King: The Mythopoeic Power of John Boorman’s Excalibur
In Excalibur’s sound and fury we are witness to heroism, sacrifice, towering human achievement, codes of chivalric honor, hopeless battles against the encroaching dark, lust, betrayal, collapse… and the hope that order and goodness may one day come again.
Read MoreExcalibur Exegesis
This film, when I saw it in the theatre in 1981, had and still does have a great impact on me. In this brief essay I’d like to explain why. I write only on the basis of my own impressions. I have never listened to director John Boorman’s commentary; nor have I studied any other. This is Excalibur in the eye of the beholder.
Read MorePalamides, Felimid and Arthurian Legends
I’m really pleased that DMR Books is publishing a short story of mine about Palamides, that Thracian horse soldier who first appeared in the yarn “Buried Silver.” I always thought he – and some others – should have main roles in more stories. Those “others” include a few more characters lifted from Arthurian legend.
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