King Arthur in Hollywood
(1995) VHS ~ Edition
Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormond, Ben Cross
(1995) -- DVD Keep Case
-- Jerry Goldsmith; Audio CD
For a year that produced the powerful Scottish hero William Wallace in Braveheart produced and starred by Mel Gibson, I had high hopes for First Knight, especially considering that Sean Connery would be playing Arthur. There are aspects of the movie that give it good moments but the movie left me feeling it was a glossy attempt to capitalize on the box office sword and battle hits that proceeded it. I hated Richard Gere as Lancelot. He had no appeal except in the fight scenes. His mannerisms and words sounded awkward, he squinted making me remember that he wears glasses in real life, more a two dimensional character than the complex nature of the real Lancelot. The director Jerry Zucker keeps the action moving but fails to create a legend. Jerry Goldsmith crafted an excellent score and there is beautiful scenery. Some friends have stated that you have to watch the film several times to appreciate its good points that make it worth while to own.
