Screening at the VIFF Theatre (Vancouver, BC) July 14 and 18th. Please click here to purchase tickets in advance.
Set against the backdrop of Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, John Bolton’s King Arthur’s Night is a bold reimagining of the tale told by Thomas Malory. It offers a meta-look at the play through the lens of preproduction and filmmaking rather than focusing solely on the play itself. While that approach is not altogether bad, the presentation is misleading. When all I want is to see the two separate than apart, I can at least stay fixed to the fiction. The non-fiction can live in it own world.
Because we see bits of filming take place in-betweeen the edited cuts, I’m left begging for just the myth to be told. Perhaps that will change. Until there is an announcement that there is a story only cut, what we have is a work that feels like This Is Spinal Tap!
Thankfully, the love for this legendary figure is not lost. The film includes wonderful moments with the Lady of the Lake (Evelyn Chew) and a memorable meeting with Morgana (or Morgan le Fay, played by Kerry Sandomirsky). And since no pseudo-Arthurian tale feels complete without Lancelot (Billy Marchenski) and Galahad (Lucy McNulty), their inclusion is welcome. Although I never had the chance to see the original theatrical production, what is presented here is just as lovely.
We get to see how King Arthur dotes on and wins Guinevere’s (Tiffany King) love. The overall point of view might seem disorienting, but when I think back on it, the perspective makes sense. It feels like watching the story unfold through the lens of Avalon’s own awareness. Physically, the isle may not be alive, but for anyone who has watched Disney’s Gargoyles and knows the Dark Ages story arc backwards and forwards, it is easy to see how this world is truly alive with the sound of music.
That is where the film shines. The orchestration behind this take is amazing, and the decision to go glam-rock even had me singing along to KISS’ “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.” No, the music isn’t quite that hardcore, but it comes close. For me, the decision to intertwine the documentary with the play ultimately prevents either from reaching its full potential.
Although the lines between the play and reality are blurred, what I am recounting is based on memory and how well this tale respects everything that is Arthurian, from the Vulgate Cycle to Malory’s take and even the parodies that followed. And really, isn’t that what legend is all about? In that regard, King Arthur’s Night holds up as a tribute to that enduring figure. And as for whether these talents went full on Monty Python with the lore, I will spoil this much: yes, there are goats!
3 Stars out of 5
King Arthur’s Night Trailer
