Boom! Our 2026 journey through the 1980’s begins right here and now with! We are officially embarking on the first of four seasons of the year – Fantastic Winter – with a month-long survey through 80’s fantasy movies. Naturally, some tough choices had to be made, but we settled on a great roster of movies tugging and pulling at this genre from different directions and we begin with the 1981 Excalibur!

Over the course of our conversation you will hear us talk about the genesis of this movie and how it percolated in John Boorman’s brain for more than a decade while shapeshifting between an adaptation of The Lord of the Rings and a proper take on Arthurian legends. We discuss this piece a “hinge” film bridging two decades, the role of Orion Pictures in the post-New Hollywood landscape and the idea of making fantasy films with adult audiences in mind. We also make some comments about Merlin’s headgear, the idea of enunciating every line and dining in a full suit of plate armour.

Tune in and enjoy!

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