Knights of the Round Table (1953) Richard Thorpe   Ostensibly based on Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, it is questionable whether or not the screenwriters of this film actually read the book, as copious liberties are taken with the legend's traditions. For instance, before Arthur draws the sword from the anvil near the film's opening, an adult Mordred attempts it first (Mordred's incestuous parentage is also glossed over). Sir Percival and Elaine are also wrongly depicted as siblings while virtually all of the magical elements of the myth are ignored. Even Merlin is diminished from powerful wizard to senile old mentor. Of course, Arthur and his knights are also attired in Norman armor, but this liberty goes back to medieval times, and, as such, is almost a tradition in itself. Still, if one can overcome these liberties, Knights of the Round Table is an enjoyable adventure in the old Hollywood tradition and, unlike most Arthurian films of the time, was actually filmed in Britain. The more character-driven aspects of the story are somewhat flaccid, but exciting battles and jousts abound, which ultimately carry the film, though some of those broadswords look pretty lightweight. Also impressive is the beautiful widescreen photography by Freddie Young (Lawrence of Arabia), and the exciting large-symphonic score by Miklos Rozsa (El Cid). —Paul Andrew MacLean

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