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Anjelica Huston, Julianna Margulies, Joan Allen, Samantha Mathis, Caroline Goodall ... see more see more... , Edward Atterton , Michael Vartan , Michael Byrne , Hans Matheson , Mark Lewis Jones , Clive Russell , Tamsin Egerton , Edward Highmore , Christopher Fulford , John Comer , Klára Issová

This three-hour miniseries adapts Marion Zimmer Bradley's feminist recasting of the Arthurian mythos into a big-budget cable television event. In ancient England, Christianity is spreading and the Sax... read more read more...ons are invading. It's up to Viviane (Anjelica Huston) -- Lady of the Lake and high priestess of the kingdom's ancient pagan religion -- to make sure that the next king will honor both the old and new faiths and thereby banish the barbarian hordes. Viviane manipulates her sister Igraine (Caroline Goodall) into marrying King Uther Pendragon (Mark Lewis Jones) and bearing a son, Arthur (Edward Atterton) -- much to the consternation of Viviane's other sister, the power-hungry Morgause (Joan Allen). Arthur grows up happily with his older half-sister, Morgaine (Julianna Margulies), until Merlin (Michael Byrne) spirits him off for training and Viviane brings Morgaine to the mystical island of Avalon to develop her magical connection to the Goddess. Years later, the siblings reunite in a masked mating ritual, unaware that their union is incestuous -- or that their son, Mordred (Hans Matheson), will fall into Morgause's clutches and destroy the delicate balance that Viviane has sought to maintain. As Arthur gathers the knights of the round table and ushers in a golden age with Queen Gwenhwyfar (Samantha Mathis) at his side, the seeds of his destruction, and Avalon's, have already been planted -- by Arthur himself. Filmed on-location in Prague, The Mists of Avalon premiered on the TNT cable network July 15 and 16, 2001. Director Uli Edel, best known for his feature adaptation of Last Exit to Brooklyn, had previously helmed Purgatory for TNT. The titular mists -- developed by Edel and executive producer Mark Wolper -- utilized custom fluid dynamic software designed specifically for the project. Celtic musician Loreena McKennitt added her theme music to composer Lee Holdridge's score. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Flixster Users

74% liked it

12,993 ratings

Critics

43% liked it

7 critics

Unrated, 3 hr.

Directed by: Uli Edel, Ulrich Edel

Release Date: July 15, 2001

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DVD Release Date: December 11, 2001

Stats: 754 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (754)

  • itsjustme2004
    October 3, 2010
    itsjustme2004
    Oooooh love a good movie about Camelot!! This version is a "dark" one, and very different than I am used to. I guess that it doesn't matter to me what version I see, just as long as it is well done. I really enjoyed this!
  • deano
    November 17, 2008
    deano
    Sterling performances with Julianna Margulies, Joan Allen and Anjelica Huston in this long TV movie which retells the Arthurian legend from the perspective of the coomen who shaped events with spirited powers. This is my second favourite Arthurian legend story of the movie.
  • Gx7
    April 18, 2008
    Gx7
    Love Merlin and all those stories that have to do with Camelot?

    "Most of what you think you know about Camelot, Gwenhwyfar, Lancelot and the evil sorceress known as Morgaine le Fay, is nothing but lies."

    Based on the bestseller by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
    <... read morebr>I highly recommend you to watch this back to back with Steve Barrons Merlin and Antoine Fuquas King Arthur. ---Id rate this PG 16 though.

    I think Ill try to get a copy of the book as well.
  • ileo
    May 30, 2007
    ileo
    Great!
  • AClockWorkBear
    January 5, 2011
    AClockWorkBear
    wonderful adaptation of a huge book. This is pretty well done, with a great nod to the pagan influence that is so harshly beat down.
  • Sloirishbud
    September 14, 2009
    Sloirishbud
    For a Cable TV Miniseries this was wonderful. I enjoyed watching every episode, the acting was great and it looked like it had a solid budget as well. This movie was completely enjoyable and true to the spirit of the book.
  • homien9
    January 27, 2009
    homien9
    it was so wierd but it was a good movie.that was gross that the sister and brother did it. how wrong?
  • amcoffeegal
    January 15, 2009
    amcoffeegal
    Magic and old time religion fighting one another, conception, tertiary, lies, evil deeds, great movie
  • GhostHunterGuy
    May 11, 2008
    GhostHunterGuy
    Wow, when I was like ten or somewhere around there, I loved this. I remember taping it and watching it all the ime. I loved the story and the mythology of it. Hmmm, I wonder where that tape went anyway.
  • Sheiob
    March 3, 2008
    Sheiob
    A much-abridged, though mostly faithful adaptation of the novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley. A fantastically unique and fresh look at the women in the King Arthur legend. Although the special effects were TV grade, and not all the acting superb, overall it was well-done. It's no sub... read morestitute for the book, however.

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Critic Reviews

James Sanford
September 28, 2005
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

the spirit of the story remains sturdy, even if some intriguing details and characters had to be sacrificed for the sake of time. Full Review

Walter Chaw
February 3, 2002
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

As a fantasy, The Mists of Avalon lacks the fantastic, as a war film it lacks compelling battle scenes, and as a romance, it lacks, er, romance. Full Review

Tim Goodman
October 21, 2001
Tim Goodman, San Francisco Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 17, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Mike McGranaghan
June 13, 2004
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat

No review available.

Jamie Gillies
February 26, 2002
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide

Click to read the article Full Review

Christopher Null
December 17, 2001
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Click to read the article Full Review

May 19, 2003
culturevulture.net

Click to read the article Full Review

MaryAnn Johanson
October 21, 2001
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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