Merlin is a 1998 tv miniseries – starring Sam Neill, Helena Bonham Carter and John Gielgud – that retells the legend of King Arthur from the perspective of the wizard Merlin. The story covers not only the rise and fall of Camelot but also the phase in the legendary history of Britain that precedes it.

Travel to the wondrous world of Merlin where supernatural passions are unleashed and unforgettable adventures await! In a time when magic is fading from the world, malevolent sorceress Mab (Miranda Richardson) summons Merlin (Sam Neill) to keep the power of the Old Ways alive. But when Merlin falls for the beautiful Nimue (Isabella Rossellini) and allies himself to King Arthur the stage is set for a battle of otherworldly proportions.

3 hours of viewing!

Special Features

• “The Magical Making of Merlin” featurette
• Commentary by Director, Steve Barron
• CGI Scene Creation

Awards

• Golden Globes USA 1999 – Nominated for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV, Nominated for Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV Sam Neill, Nominated for Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV Miranda Richardson, Nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Helena Bonham Carter
• Directors Guild of America 1999 – Nominated Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television
• Primetime Emmy Awards 1998 – Won Outstanding Art Direction, Won Outstanding Costume Design, Won Outstanding Special Visual Effects, Nominated for Outstanding Miniseries, Several other award nominations
• WorldFest Flagstaff 1998 – Won Gold Award Television and Cable Production
• Young Artist Awards 1999 – Nominated for Best Family TV Movie/Pilot/Mini-Series

Merlin Reviews

“Legend has it that love, truth, honour, loyalty and decency are man’s supreme attributes. Indeed, legends have a lot to do with sustaining those notions, and the legend of Camelot is one. In appealing to our higher instincts, the legend that Merlin relates here is enormously appealing for its humanity, and the way the filmmakers tell it is both wondrous, magical, sensitive and very entertaining. But is the depth of this work – from story, script and production to music, casting and performance – that gives us the substance that makes this video version so satisfying. Made with a combo of English and American elements, the production is both large and intimate, epic yet personal. That’s why it sustains for its three hours, without commercial breaks. Steve Barron’s direction marries the elements of legend – from magic to superstition and the historical – with the sensibilities that today’s audiences understand, without cheapening any of them. One gets the feeling that the story and its telling actually matters to everyone involved. On top of that, there is the story itself, a rounded, fulfilling drawing together of the shards we know of the legend of Merlin, Camelot, Arthur/Lancelot/Gu­enivere – with newly discovered dimension. It is complex enough to own.” Urban Cinefile

“…Unlike many other TV productions, “Merlin” had a considerable budget of $30 mio, which has been put to good use on various ends of the production. Not only did it allow the filmmakers to make good use of state-of the-art computer enhanced special effects, but it also allowed them to shoot the entire film on location in England, the geographic and historic home of Merlin. Interiors were shot on the Pinewood Studio soundstages, while exteriors were done in Wales, one of Britain’s most charming and enchanting regions. It helps setting the mood for the film right from the start and this continuity is never broken. The remarkable special effects perfectly blend with the live action footage for the most part and create the truly magical world of “Merlin”. Their number is vast and yet, they never seem superficial or “Cheesy”, which is an absolute novelty for TV mini-series productions. Just think of the CGI whale in “Moby Dick” only one month earlier for example, which seemed like an early demo of first generation computer graphics by comparison. No doubt, the fact that Jim Henson’s Creature Shop has been associated with “Merlin” helped immensely to breathe life and personality into the numerous special effects. Still, a few of the special effects, namely the dragon and the griphons, are not exactly state-of-the-art, as they appear flat, stiff, wooden and do not integrate too well in the complex lighting scenarios they have been placed in. Considering the movie’s overall tight deadlines and the sheer amount of other excellent effect work done on this film, they are easily excused… a refreshing fantasy story that contains enough values and highlights to make many feature film productions these days look very pale by comparison.If you missed “Merlin” on TV, go, get it now on this great DVD!..It is a flamboyant adventure that finally makes a legendary character like Merlin tangible, while also bringing history to life.” dvdreview.com