I picked up this 2 movie collection for less than 3 bucks. It's got 8 movies and this horrible wrap around cover. If you click on it you can see a huge version and get right into it. Not that makes the picture better but you can really see how awful it is.
The 8 movies are on 2 discs which makes the bit rate pretty low. It's pretty much standard with a company like Echo Bridge Entertainment. They're a step below Mill Creek Entertainment.
It's heavy on Merlin and Arthur stories with 7 of the movies featuring one or both. Here's the list of movies, with the descriptions from the Amazon page, for the 2 disc set:
Merlin: The Return 2000
Armed with a devious plan, scheming scientist Dr. Maxwell is doing everything in her power to bring evil sorcerer Mordred into the present day. Aware of her plot, Medieval times' most famous—and aged—magician, Merlin, will stop at nothing to prevent Maxwell from summoning his malicious enemy.
I was interested in this movie because it's got Rik Mayall as Merlin. It also stars Patrick Bergin, Craig Sheffer, Adrian Paul, Julie Hartley and Tia Carrere. It's written and directed by Paul Matthews. Sadly it's not very good. Other than Rik who seemed to be having some fun.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice 2002
When Ben and his family move to a new home, the young boy reaches out to his aging neighbor, Milner (Robert Davi). Little does Ben know, Milner is actually the wizard Merlin and he is destined to be his apprentice.
The only really interesting thing about this kid's movie is that it was filmed in South Africa, pretending to be England. It was nice to see Robert Davi playing a good guy for a change.
Merlin's Apprentice 2006
The great sorcerer Merlin has returned to Camelot, a kingdom now vulnerable since the theft of the Holy Grail. With the help of a young beggar-thief, the fight to find the Grail and return Camelot to its glory days begins.
This is a 3 hour TV mini-series, for Hallmark, with Sam Neil as Merlin. It's the sequel to the 1998 Merlin with Sam and Miranda Richardson. Merlin got tricked into sleeping for 30 years and in that time Camelot has fallen on hard times. It's about average but the 3 hour running time makes the movie drag.
The Magic Sword 1962
Sir George is a young knight who has long admired the beautiful Princess Helene from afar but hasn't had the courage to profess his love for her. When the princess is suddenly kidnapped by the evil sorcerer Lodac, the valiant knight sees it as a golden opportunity to win her affections and prove his undying love by rescuing her.
I actually like this movie a fair bit. It was a Mystery Science Fiction 3000 selection and the guys on the show later said they thought it was actually a "pretty good movie". It's got Basil Rathbone, Estelle Winwood and Garry Lockwood. There's plenty of action, magic stuff and silliness. Worth a look.
Sword of Lancelot 1963
A passionate, secret romance blossoms between a knight, Sir Lancelot (Cornel Wilde), and Lady Guinevere (Jean Wallace), causing King Arthur (Brian Aherne) to wage a deadly war.
I'd seen this a few years ago but had forgotten a lot of it. Cornel Wilde co-produced, directed, co-wrote, and played Lancelot in this British adaptation of the Arthur Legend. It's better than the other films in the set. Wilde is excellent in the sword fighting scenes. Worth a look. You can see it on YouTube in 2 parts: One & Two.
Merlin and the War of the Dragons 2008
Britain, 420 A.D. An exceptional wizard, Merlin, goes head to head with the evil Hengest, who threatens to conquer Britain with his fleet of dragons.
I don't know which is sadder, The Asylum doing a Merlin story or that Jürgen Prochnow is in it. Well below average and not worth bothering with.
King Arthur, the Young Warlord 1975
This is the inspiring, epic journey of a noble warrior's quest to prove his worth, his might, and his destined fate to become the next ruler of Britain.
I was somewhat entertained by this 1975 British film which turns out to be chopped out of episodes of the British TV series Arthur Of The Britons. Oliver Tobias is King Arthur in a rather gritty adaptation. It's the 5th century and it's been a 100 years since the Romans left. Arthur doesn't live in a fancy castle. He's a leader of a group of Celts and he tries to gather other Celts under his banner to help keep the Saxons from taking over. Brian Blessed co-stars as Mark Of Cornwall. I'm looking forward to see the series at sometime. I've also got a documentary on the Celts at the library to pick up and watch. I'm curious about that.
The Excalibur Kid 1999
Fifteen-year-old Zack is transported to a medieval world by an evil sorceress. Now he must team up with Merlin to right her wrongs and restore King Arthur to his throne.
It's a pretty sad adaptation. Not worth bothering with.
All in all not the worst collection that I've seen and it did lead me to what could be an interesting series in Arthur Of The Britons.