Nicol Williamson
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Excalibur
ragusa11 — 10 years ago(August 08, 2015 08:31 AM)
Of all the versions of I have seen of the Arthur story he is hands down the best Merlin.
He is immortal, arrogant all seeing but when he shows the human moments. -
giygas-12533 — 9 years ago(April 07, 2016 03:53 PM)
And what's funny is director John Boorman and Williamson are/were well known to be "frenemies". They didn't always see eye to eye and Boorman was initially weary of him being cast. Also funny; the actress who plays Morgana was an ex-girlfriend of Williamson's and they didn't want to work together either and reportedly both almost quit the project after learning the other had been cast.
source: John Boorman's director's commentary.
Boorman's commentary (paraphrasing): "At first I went, oh God, not Nicol Williamson. Anyone but Nicol Williamson."
I thought that was hilarious. -
movie_nazi — 9 years ago(June 12, 2016 09:17 PM)
They didn't always see eye to eye and Boorman was initially weary of him being cast. Also funny; the actress who plays Morgana was an ex-girlfriend of Williamson's and they didn't want to work together either and reportedly both almost quit the project after learning the other had been cast.
Uh, that would be Helen Mirren, a well established actress.
My Vote history:
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur1914996/ratings -
movie_nazi — 9 years ago(June 12, 2016 09:18 PM)
Best Merlin no question. I also agree he is the best thing about the film.
My Vote history:
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blakkdog — 9 years ago(July 12, 2016 03:52 PM)
It was a lightning in a bottle performance. One we will likely never see again. And all the more amazing since Williamson had a reputation for being mercurial and difficult and fairly disliked by many in the industry. But this performance dominated the film almost to its detriment since you could feel his absence when he wasnt around and I dont know about you all but every time I watch it and his entombment scene comes, I feel a real sense of disappointment knowing he will no longer be a part of the film in any real sense after that.
http://letterboxd.com/blakkdog/