Knights Of The Round Table (1953)

A French knight (Robert Taylor) travels to England to join forces with the future King (Mel Ferrer). What he didn't count on was falling in love with its Queen (Ava Gardner). A love that will topple the throne. Sir Thomas Malory's LE MORTE D'ARTHUR has inspired countless versions of the King Arthur tale on film, the stage, television and even opera and ballet. It's such a fascinating and durable story that it would almost take a deliberate effort to bungle it. This CinemaScope feature (MGM's first foray in the format) manages to muck it up. Oh, it looks majestic and no expense was spared but boy, is it dull. The previous year's medieval costuma drama IVANHOE was a great success and no doubt MGM thought lightning could strike twice. Using much of the same crew: leading man (Taylor), director (Richard Thorpe), cinematographer (Freddie Young), composer (Miklos Rozsa) etc., it just goes all wrong. Taylor, quite effective in IVANHOE, seems awkward here as if realizing he's far too old for the role and lovely Ava Gardner recites her lines as if English was not her native language. Even Rozsa's score sounds like a retread. The battle scenes are done nicely though and the two villains, Stanley Baker as Modred and Anne Crawford as Morgan Le Fay liven up the proceedings with their wickedness. With Felix Aylmer, Maureen Swanson, Niall MacGinnis, Patricia Owens, Desmond Llewelyn and Dana Wynter.