It starts out as a story meant to intrigue its audience, but soon evolves into a true legend known through out the world reaching almost every inch and crevasse in sight. The tale of King Arthur Pendragon is one that sees many forms, but still stays true to certain aspects of its origin. We seek to explain Arthur’s history in books, in voice and, in the contemporary world, through films, but while some tell a story, it is interesting to also learn the recorded history and parallels found throughout each that make Arthur Pendragon and his Knights of the Round Table such a unique aspect to look at.
The documentaries The Legend of King Arthur directed by Sylvain White and King Arthur: His Life and Legends directed by Sue Hayes both depict …show more content…
King Arthur: His Life and Legends seems to take more interest in the full detail of Arthur’s story. By hanging more on the idea of storytelling with its strong narration and appropriate music this film caught onto the true origins of King Arthur’s tales for that is how it all started. Throughout the film the full story of King Arthur is told while also stating various authors of the tales and how they each incorporated different aspects to the story. With Geoffrey of Monmouth and his political writing versus Chretien de Troyes’ heroic and sense of value type writing where knights should be civilized bringing through the idea of courtly love makes for an interesting beginning. For this reason this documentary seems to have more of an advantage on someone seeking to learn the tales of King Arthur because it does concentrate fully on that aspect. What was successful in this film was the use of its artwork. Rather than using actors to reenact scenes, this film often used art to tell the story. Important events like certain battle scenes, such as that of Arthur and Mordred, the lady of the Lake grabbing excalibur and depictions of Arthur, Lancelot and Galahad were all inspirations for paintings retrieved from different time periods. For example, this documentary often used stained glass windows and oil paintings to portray a numerous amount of stories like the one of Galahad in search of the Holy Grail and Arthur reigning king with supreme honour. What also stood out throughout the film was its use of a more mysterious and imaginative way of explaining Arthur. It wasn’t based on hard facts and evidence, but mainly on what was found in people’s interpretations be it in writing or orally. The most memorable being that of when the Holy Grail was first incorporated into the legends and how it is still to this day linked with King Arthur. From the sword in the stone to the mysteries
The documentaries The Legend of King Arthur directed by Sylvain White and King Arthur: His Life and Legends directed by Sue Hayes both depict …show more content…
King Arthur: His Life and Legends seems to take more interest in the full detail of Arthur’s story. By hanging more on the idea of storytelling with its strong narration and appropriate music this film caught onto the true origins of King Arthur’s tales for that is how it all started. Throughout the film the full story of King Arthur is told while also stating various authors of the tales and how they each incorporated different aspects to the story. With Geoffrey of Monmouth and his political writing versus Chretien de Troyes’ heroic and sense of value type writing where knights should be civilized bringing through the idea of courtly love makes for an interesting beginning. For this reason this documentary seems to have more of an advantage on someone seeking to learn the tales of King Arthur because it does concentrate fully on that aspect. What was successful in this film was the use of its artwork. Rather than using actors to reenact scenes, this film often used art to tell the story. Important events like certain battle scenes, such as that of Arthur and Mordred, the lady of the Lake grabbing excalibur and depictions of Arthur, Lancelot and Galahad were all inspirations for paintings retrieved from different time periods. For example, this documentary often used stained glass windows and oil paintings to portray a numerous amount of stories like the one of Galahad in search of the Holy Grail and Arthur reigning king with supreme honour. What also stood out throughout the film was its use of a more mysterious and imaginative way of explaining Arthur. It wasn’t based on hard facts and evidence, but mainly on what was found in people’s interpretations be it in writing or orally. The most memorable being that of when the Holy Grail was first incorporated into the legends and how it is still to this day linked with King Arthur. From the sword in the stone to the mysteries