May 2, 2009
A pretty good made for tv movie. I liked it.
Sam Neill,
Isabella Rossellini,
Miranda Richardson,
Martin Short,
Rutger Hauer
... see more 
While Merlin the Magician is usually regarded as one of the major characters within the fables of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the truth is that both of them existed in entirely sep... read more
Directed by: Steve Barron
Release Date: April 26, 1998
Keywords:
made-for-TV,
special effects,
helena bonham,
sam neill,
king arthur,
Helena Bonham Carter,
King Arthur ,
Sam Neill ,
Martin Short
DVD Release Date: September 18, 2001
Stats: 1,754 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (1,754)
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June 7, 2007I love this. I like that it doesn't focus on King Arthur for once (Merlin is a much more interesting character), and Miranda Richardson and Helena Bonham Carter look fabulous. The downside is the 'modern' humour of Frik, which ruins the effort to make it look ancient and sumptious.
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May 10, 2007A superb cast ham it up mercilessly in an anachronistic pantomime that's far more interested in over-directed set pieces and special effects than characters. Typical of Hollywood's dumb revisionism of classic tales.
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April 8, 2007Fantastically fantasy details the life of King Arthur's court wizard from the events behind his conception to the entrusting of the sword of Excalibur. Unlike previous films about Camelot, Merlin is all about the magic. Astounding special effects that are even more enterta... read more
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April 26, 2006This is a very enjoyable TV mini-series that takes 'the path not travelled'. The story of Arthur has long been told from the point of view of either Arthur, Lancelot, or Guinevere, but this strays into unknown territory and gives the story from the eyes of the faithfull wizard Me... read more
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December 31, 2011Merlin was an excellent concept that I was greatly looking forward to. Most fantasy TV mini-series do not have the budget or production values to do story justice, but after the better-than-expected Odyssey and Gulliver's Travels I had high hopes for Merlin. Unfortunately Merli... read more
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April 5, 2009Moving, beautiful and well-constructed work. Effective at retelling the legends in a refreshing way, at the same time giving a side story about the character's growing up and loves. All webbed together beautifully well, the characters and the climax wonderfully painted.
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June 6, 2007Not a movie to see if you want flawless special effects, but the story is beautiful and justice is done to the tale in this magical fantasy about a wizard torn between his two loves; his lady and mankind.
Critic Reviews
October 7, 2004
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
March 14, 2003
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
A captivating made-for-TV production
December 24, 2002
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
An overblown fantasy.
July 30, 2002
Eugene Novikov, Film Blather
A nifty, loose-limbed epic miniseries: Sam Neill's last starring role?
March 2, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An imaginatively realized slice of Arthurian mythology. Full Review
November 5, 2004
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
No review available.
January 30, 2004
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
No review available.
July 13, 2003
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
No review available.
October 4, 2002
Brian J. Arthurs, Beach Reporter (Southern California)
No review available.
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Merlin
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