Film Excess - Free Ukraine - Stop Putin - End the war NOW!!: Merlin (1998, miniseries) - Theatrics and bad styles rule in never-ending turkey

8/01/2021

Merlin (1998, miniseries) - Theatrics and bad styles rule in never-ending turkey

♥

Star Sam Neill looks determined at us ensconced in smoke and co-stars on this poster for Steve Barron's Merlin

The English legend of Merlin the wizard, his love, Nimue, sir Lancelot, Camelot, queen Mab and the Lady of the Lake are explored.

Merlin is written by Peter Barnes (The Professionals (1960)) and David Stevens (Homicide (1972-76)), with Edward Khmara (Dragon (1993)) contributing story elements, and directed by Steve Barron (Electric Dreams (1984)). This review is based on the video release of the film in the form of one epic-length film.

The length is inexorable, and the impressive cast cannot salvage this folk lore botch-up. Theatrical overacting and childlike hysterics is the general rule in the performances: Sam Neill (Alcatraz (2012, TV-series)) does pretty well in the title role but is regrettably outfitted to resemble an utter moron. Miranda Richardson (Fred Claus (2007)) is dressed as a 1990s goth version of a witch; she fights Martin Short (A Simple Wish (1997)) as a gnome and Helena Bonham Carter (Live from Baghdad (2002, TV movie)) in the contest of who looks dumbest in Merlin.

The effects are mostly failures, (the speaking rock being an exception.) The photography of this hideous jumble is horrid and over-lit, entirely without vision. All things being equal though, one can't rob Merlin of having a certain enthusiasm about its own narrative.

1998 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess

Watch a trailer for the miniseries here

Cost: 30 mil. $

Box office: None - TV miniseries

= Uncertain

[Merlin premiered 26 April (US and Canada) and runs 182 minutes over the course of 3 episodes. Shooting took place in Wales and England from October 1997 - February 1998. It aired on NBC and achieved record ratings with viewership of estimated 70 mil. people. It won 4/15 Primetime Emmy nominations and was nominated for 4 Golden Globes among other honors. Hallmark Entertainment followed up with miniseries Merlin's Apprentice (2006) with returning Neill and Richardson. Barron returned with Arabian Nights (2000, miniseries) and theatrically with Rat (2000). Neill returned in The Horse Whisperer (1998). 21k IMDb users have given Merlin a 7.1/10 average rating.]

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Film Excess - Free Ukraine - Stop Putin - End the war NOW!!

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8/01/2021

Merlin (1998, miniseries) - Theatrics and bad styles rule in never-ending turkey

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