King Arthur - The
Truth Behind The Legend (Delta)
(Documentary)
Picture: C+ Sound: C+ Extras: D
Film: C
Last summer’s Jerry Bruckheimer film King Arthur (2004, reviewed
elsewhere on this site) purported to be based on the “true story” of the
legendary king of Great Britain. In an effort to explore that true story
Delta Entertainment has released King Arthur - The Truth Behind The
Legend: A Documentary. This is
part of their series of British-produced programs that try to offer information
different from what might be in a given film of the time.
The information contained on this ninety-minute DVD is factually solid.
There is no one source of the legend, only a series of stories and a few
actual historical references. The DVD starts with mention of Artorios
Castus, the actual historical figure who appears in the Bruckheimer/Antoine
Fuqua-directed film, and then meanders through the more well-known source
material, such as the histories of Nennius, Geoffrey of Monmouth, and the later
romantic poetry of Sir Thomas Mallory.
While historically sound the problem with the DVD is it’s pacing. What
should be an exciting story simply drags. There are long stretches
between segments where the viewer is treated to the scenery of the British Isles
and pastoral New Age music, but nothing else is happening. These breaks
serve only to make the viewer want to get up and do something else. The
narration by Liam Dale is delivered so sardonically that one keeps expecting
the documentary to break into a Monty Python and the Holy Grail routine.
It’s not the British accent that is the problem, but the “nudge nudge,
wink wink, say no more” that is implied by his tone, one he uses in all his
programs.
The full frame 1.33 X 1 image is recently taped, more likely
in analog PAL than NTSC video, but is just fine for what it is. Annoying as Mr. Dale may or may not be, The
PCM 2.0 Stereo sound is clearer than the usual Dolby counterpart that Delta
nicely foregoes on these discs. That
makes for an adequate combination. The
Arthurian legends are vibrant and well worth investigating in more detail.
This DVD is a good place to start if pure information is the primary
goal.
- Wayne Wise
www.wayne-wise.com
