Excalibur Makes Its World Premiere on 4K UHD 2/24/2026

[SRW1000]

From the Arrow press release:
On February 24, the medieval epic fantasy Excalibur makes its world premiere on 4K UHD. Director John Boorman (Deliverance) brings you the definitive cinematic telling of the life and enduring legend of King Arthur, not seen in previous family friendly movies about Camelot. The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative by Arrow Films presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1 for the first time on home video, hours of special features, and newly commissioned extras. There is also a Blu-ray release.

The wizard Merlin (Nicol Williamson, The Exorcist III) acquires the powerful sword Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake for Uther Pendragon (Gabriel Byrne, The Usual Suspects). The magical weapon allows Uther to be recognized as the King of the Britons. During a feast, Uther begs Merlin to cast a spell that will allow him to sleep with a duke’s wife. Merlin agrees, but only after being promised the king’s future child. Months later, Merlin claims the newborn. When Uther attempts to reclaim the baby, he is ambushed, and before dying, he drives Excalibur into a stone. Legend foretells that only the next true king can free the sword. Merlin places the child, Arthur, with Sir Ector to be raised as a squire. During a tournament to determine England’s new ruler, a grown Arthur (Nigel Terry, The Lion in Winter) unknowingly pulls Excalibur from the stone and is crowned king. He gathers extraordinary knights to his legendary Round Table at Camelot, but his reunion with his magical sister Morgana (Helen Mirren, The Queen) ushers in dark times for his reign. To restore the kingdom, Arthur sends his knights on a perilous quest for the Holy Grail. Among the warriors clad in shining armor are Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Liam Neeson (Taken), and Ciarán Hinds (Miami Vice).

Special features include a 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible); restored original lossless mono and DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio options; optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing; two brand new audio commentaries; archival audio commentary by director John Boorman; The Making of Excalibur: Myth into Movie, a never before released 48-minute documentary directed by Neil Jordan (The Crying Game); newly filmed interviews with director John Boorman, actor Charley Boorman, co-writer Rospo Pallenberg; creative associate Neil Jordan and others; the 120-minute TV version of the film; a retrospective documentary with cast and crew interviews; trailers; image galleries; a perfect-bound booklet; double-sided fold-out poster; and six postcard-sized reproduction art cards.

Watch the trailer for Excalibur here:



Excalibur is distributed by MVD Entertainment Group.
This is going to be a hot seller!  Fantastic production values, a gritty script, a classical music score from Wagner and Orff, and a stellar cast!  This is bound to get a terrific treatment from the team at Arrow.  Just look at all the extras included.  I'm predicting this will be one of the top collectors picks this year.

[David Vaughn]

As Scott and I discussed in an email today. I can't remember ever seeing this, but maybe when I give it a spin it will jog the memory (which isn't as good as it used to be). 

[bmoney]

Never seen this myself

[Barry]

I saw it many many years ago when it first came out, and I was disappointed and I was not impressEd

[SRW1000]

I saw it many many years ago when it first came out, and I was disappointed and I was not impressEd

Do you recall why?  It's very much not in the line of Tolkien-style fantasy, and harder edged than the typical Arthur legend.  I saw it when if first hit theaters as well, and it left a strong impression on me, especially visually.

[Barry]

Do you recall why?  It's very much not in the line of Tolkien-style fantasy, and harder edged than the typical Arthur legend.  I saw it when if first hit theaters as well, and it left a strong impression on me, especially visually.

You are entitled to a good answer to that question. And as soon as I can think one up, I’ll give it to you. I tend to forget a lot about movies every 45 years. I am now anxious to see it again to see if I was right or wrong back then. Often, in the 1980s, they spent a lot of time on the special effects and scenery, and not as much time on the script. So that’s usually my observation. But I have to see the movie again