Merlin: The Return
| Merlin: The Return | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Paul Matthews |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Paul Matthews |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Mark Thomas |
| Cinematography | Vincent G. Cox |
| Edited by | Peter Davies |
Production company |
Allumination |
| Distributed by | Peakviewing Transatlantic Plc |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £20,868 (UK)[1] |
Merlin: The Return is a 2000 British fantasy film written, produced, and directed by Paul Matthews. The film stars Rik Mayall, Patrick Bergin, Craig Sheffer, Adrian Paul, Julie Hartley, and Tia Carrere.[2] The film is about chronicles the story of Merlin and King Arthur.[3][4] The film was released in the United Kingdom on 22 December 2000.
Story
For 1500 years the powers of Merlin (Rik Mayall) have kept the evil Mordred and his mother Morgana captive in another world. When a present-day scientist (Tia Carrere) stumbles upon the gateway between this world and the one Mordred is imprisoned in, it's up to a recently re-awakened King Arthur, Merlin, and Lancelot (Adrian Paul) to stop Mordred from returning.[5]
Cast
- Rik Mayall as Merlin
- Patrick Bergin as King Arthur
- Craig Sheffer as Mordred
- Adrian Paul as Lancelot
- Julie Hartley as Guinevere
- Tia Carrere as Dr. Joan Maxwell
- Leigh Greyvenstein as Kate
- Byron Taylor as Richie Gould
- Grethe Fox as Morgana
- Jennifer Steyn as Richie's Mom
- Anthony Bishop as Gawain
- Lynne White as Aunt Everlyn
- Jocelyn Broderick as Megan
Reception
Critical reception for the film was mostly negative;[6][7][8] Michael Thomson of the BBC wrote, "It's almost as if director Paul Matthews had accepted a bet to make the worst possible film."[9] Time Out London commented that the film was "indifferently directed" but was "a harmless adventure".[10] Total Film, in summing up the film, wrote, "It's a word that has some might/It starts with `Sh'/And rhymes with kite...".[11]
References
- ↑ Mettler, Erinna; Wickham, Philip. "UK Box Office for UK Feature Films Released in 2000". The Stats: An Overview of the Film, Television, Video and DVD Industries in the UK 1990–2003 (PDF). British Film Instituteyear=2006. p. 235. ISBN 1-84457-017-7.
- ↑ "Empire's Merlin The Return Movie Review". Empire Online. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ↑ Peterson, Amy (2004). Mythology in Our Midst: A Guide to Cultural References. Greenwood. p. 114. ISBN 0313321922.
- ↑ "Review: Merlin the Return". Radio Times. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ↑ "Rovi Review: Merlin: The Return". Rovi/NYT. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ↑ "Review: Merlin: The Return". Daily Mail. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ↑ Harty, Kevin J (2010). Cinema Arthuriana: Twenty Essays. McFarland. pp. 26, 201, 209. ISBN 0786446838.
- ↑ "Merlin The Return". Entertainment.ie. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ↑ "Review: Merlin: the Return". BBC. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ↑ "Review: Merlin: The Return". Time Out London. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ↑ "Review: Merlin The Return". Total Film. Retrieved 7 December 2012.