Merlin: The Return
| Merlin: The Return | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Paul Matthews |
| Produced by |
Elizabeth Matthews Paul Matthews |
| Written by | Paul Matthews |
| Starring |
Rik Mayall Patrick Bergin Craig Sheffer Adrian Paul Julie Hartley Tia Carrere |
| Music by | Mark Thomas |
| Cinematography | Vincent G. Cox |
| Edited by | Peter Davies |
Production company |
Allumination |
| Distributed by |
Allumination Filmworks (2001) (USA) (DVD) Elephant Films (2008) (France) (video) Peakviewing Transatlantic Plc United American Video (2001) (USA) (VHS) |
Release dates | 22 December 2000 (UK) |
Running time | 90 min |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £59,863 (UK) (31 December 2000) |
Merlin: The Return is a 2000 film that chronicles the story of Merlin and King Arthur.[1] The film was directed by Paul Matthews and starred Rik Mayall, Patrick Bergin, Craig Sheffer, Adrian Paul, Julie Hartley and Tia Carrere.[2][3]
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.[4]
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,[5][6][7] with Michael Thomson of the BBC writing that "It's almost as if director Paul Matthews had accepted a bet to make the worst possible film."[8] Time Out London commented that the film was "indifferently directed" but that it was "a harmless adventure".[9] Total Film panned Merlin: The Return by summing up the movie as "It's a word that has some might/It starts with `Sh'/And rhymes with kite...".[10]
References
- ↑ "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.