“Excalibur,” The Highly Anticipated Blu-Ray Debut Arrives March 8 From Warner Home Video

Burbank, CA – The beloved fantasy film based on Sir Thomas Mallory’s classic Le Morte D’Arthur, one of the first books ever printed, makes its highly anticipated debut on Blu-ray Disc March 8 from Warner Home Video. Starring Nigel Terry (“The Lion in Winter,” “MI-5,” “Dr. Who”) and Oscar winner, Helen Mirren (Best Actress for “The Queen,” 2006), “Excalibur” (1981) is a bold and faithful adaptation of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography (Alex Thomson, 1982), the visually stunning and brilliantly shot action sequences come alive on Blu-ray like audiences have never seen before. Timed for Easter holiday gift giving, orders are due February 1, 2011 (SRP $19.98). “Excalibur” is also available for permanent download from iTunes, Xbox Live, Sony PlayStation and Amazon Video On Demand.

Directed by John Boorman (“Tailor of Panama,” “Deliverance,” “Hope and Glory”), “Excalibur” boasts an impressive supporting cast, including Nicholas Clay, Cherry Lunghi, Nicol Williamson, Patrick Stewart (X-Men franchise, Star Trek: Legacy franchise) and early work from Liam Neeson (The Chronicles of Narnia franchise, “Clash of the Titans,” “Taken,” “The A-Team”) and Gabriel Byrne (“In Treatment”). Focused on the epic battle of good and evil with strong elements of heroism, the film took home a Saturn Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films for “Best Costumes” (1982) and also won the award for “Best Artistic Contribution” (John Boorman) at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival.

About The Film:

The legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table receives its most impressive screen treatment in “Excalibur,” from visionary moviemaker, John Boorman (“Deliverance,” “The General,” “Tailor of Panama,” “Hope and Glory”). All the elements of Sir Thomas Mallory’s classic Le Morte D’Arthur are here: Arthur (Nigel Terry) removing the sword Excalibur from the stone; the Round Table’s noble birth and tragic decline; the heroic attempts to recover the Holy Grail; and the shifting balance of power between wily wizard Merlin (Nicol Williamson) and evil sorceress Morgana (Helen Mirren). With Patrick Stewart, Gabriel Byrne, and Liam Neeson in notable early screen roles, “Excalibur” serves up. The New York Times Pauline Kael wrote, “one lush enraptured scene after another.”

Director:

John Boorman (two Academy Award nominations for Directing and Best Picture for “Deliverance” in 1972, and three nominations for Best Picture, Directing and Writing for “Hope and Glory” in 1987)

Cast:

• Nigel Terry (“The Lion in Winter,” “MI-5,” “Dr. Who”)
• Helen Mirren (“The Queen,” “Red,” “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole,” nominated for four Oscars, won Best Actress in 2006 for “The Queen”)
• Nicholas Clay
• Cherry Lunghi
• Nicol Williamson
• Patrick Stewart (X-Men franchise, Star Trek: Legacy franchise, nominated for two Golden Globes)
• Gabriel Byrne (“In Treatment,” Golden Globe winner for Best Actor in TV Series 2009)
• Liam Neeson (The Chronicles of Narnia franchise, “Clash of the Titans,” “Taken,” “The A-Team”)

Special Features:

• Full-length Audio Commentary by Director John Boorman
• Theatrical Trailer

Warner Home Video Blu-ray™ Discs offer resolution six times higher than standard definition DVDs, as well as extraordinarily vibrant contrast and color and beautifully crisp sound. The format also provides a higher level of interactivity, with instant access to extra features via a seamless menu bar where viewers can enjoy features without leaving or interrupting the film. For more information: http://warnerblu.warnerbros.com/

About Warner Home Video:

With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, a division of the Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video’s film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.