I enjoyed this film, and I think mostly because it was a new twist on an old tale. I thoroughly enjoyed the musical score, and the raw sense of a brutal, almost uncivilized England (both in climate and the peoples that lived there). I am not saying it is accurate (because I have no idea whatsoever), but I found it tasteful and entertaining. I was intrigued by the inner battles that Arthur had to fight, the war between his faith and his intuition. More climatic was the struggle with the Roman Church and common sense. I like the gravity that Lorenzo De Angelis added for Alecto's character, although I felt he was a bit too wise beyond his years. But someone had to say what he did. I like how Keira did Guinevere; I do not recall Guinevere being such a warrior, or even Woad for that matter. I also found it interesting that they scripted Merlin as such a... almost normal person; I did not see any magic, nor special powers or anything, just a savage leader of a savage people.
There were some things I did not like. Galahad and the other kid seemed a bit too young. I mean, Clive Owen is 11 years older than Hugh Dancy, yet somehow their characters are supposed to both be finishing their 15th year of service at the same time? Also, all the Church people, with the exception of Alecto, seem hell-bent on Crusading and visiting the punishment of sin everywhere. Come on, aren't there a few other bishops who are not quite as brain dead? Finally, the point where the Knights escort the caravan across the ice; what idiot is going to lead such a heavy load out into the middle of the ice, especially when you hear it cracking beneath you?!? Duh, where is the ice the thinnest?
Overall, a good movie. Not perfect by far, but entertaining. I almost blacklisted this movie because I do question how much replay value it has, but I think the film might have "it".
