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Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Excalibur (1981)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Shat on Entertainment

Film Reviews, 80s, Shermerhighschool, Sixteencandles, Movies, Tv & Film, Weirdscience, Breakfastclub, Vcr, Johnhughes, Vhs, 90s, Classicmovies

4.6 • 1.7K Ratings

🗓️ 21 August 2025

⏱️ 63 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

For our Ninth Anniversary Episode, the Shat Crew draws the sword from the stone and rides into John Boorman’s epic Excalibur (1981). Commissioned by Chris, Mike, and Ollie to celebrate their father Robert’s 60th birthday, this Arthurian fever dream delivers knights, magic, and more shiny armor than a Manowar album cover.

From Nicol Williamson’s scene-stealing Merlin to Helen Mirren’s wickedly alluring Morgana, the movie is equal parts mythic grandeur and campy chaos. Gene marvels at the operatic visuals, while Big D is dazzled by the medieval carnage. Together they debate whether this is the definitive retelling of the Arthurian legend or just a two-and-a-half-hour bad trip brought to life.

As we celebrate nine years of podcasting, join us for knights in shining armor, incestuous twists and the most metal “O Fortuna” montage ever put to film. Long live the once and future pod!

Plot Summary:
In Excalibur (1981), director John Boorman reimagines the Arthurian legend with a mix of operatic spectacle and raw brutality. From Uther Pendragon’s lustful betrayal to Arthur’s rise as king, the film chronicles the rise and fall of Camelot through battles, betrayal, and forbidden love. With unforgettable performances from Nicol Williamson as Merlin and Helen Mirren as Morgana, Excalibur stands as one of the most iconic—and most eccentric—fantasy films of the 1980s.

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Transcript

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0:00.0

Like, who was the first guy who did it?

0:02.1

He's like, dude, kiss a tip.

0:03.2

He's like, why?

0:04.4

It's going to be a new thing.

0:05.5

Listen, we're all going to do it.

0:07.3

Just do it.

0:08.6

Remember when we first met John McLean?

0:11.5

Our God picked him up from the plane

0:13.8

and took him down the Nakatomi Tower at the Christmas party.

0:19.0

And the terrorists were overzealous, But it was sweet when they killed Ellis

0:23.6

And with a little help from Allen

0:26.6

John McClake came dies

0:28.6

Welcome back to chat the movies, the podcast where we answered the question

0:31.6

Where the movies we loved when we were growing up really that good

0:34.6

You ever caught yourself thinking, why don't they make movies like they used to? Can you still remember spending your Friday night searching for the perfect movie rental blockbuster video? Do you know what blockbuster video is? If you answered yes, then this is the podcast for you. I am one of your hosts, Gene Lyons, and alongside me as my co-host, Big D. Dick Ebert. Good evening.

1:11.5

And each week, we take a look back in time and decide if our favorite films still hold up. The movies we cover are chosen by you, the listeners, who generously commission the films you love. If you like to see all the movies we have covered, we'll cover, want to choose one for yourself. Please sit shatpod.com and have a look. at the end of each podcast will provide you the audience with a number of wipes each movie take to get off your respective butts.

1:15.3

Thank you so much for listening.

1:16.5

If you have not already, hit that subscribe button to share with a friend.

1:19.4

It's how we help the podcast grow.

1:21.4

Additionally, subscribe to our sister podcast, chat on TV, review TV series such as Westworld,

1:27.0

Taboo, American Gods, Game of Thrones,

1:29.0

true detective, Lovecraft Country, and Watchmen.

...

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