Mists of Avalon

Director: Eli Edel, Uli Edel Eli Edel

Overview

Based on the best-selling novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley, this made-for-cable fantasy epic examines the legend of King Arthur and Camelot from the perspective of the women who manipulated the reigns of power. As the citizens of the British Isles fight to protect their homelands, there comes a divide between those who have embraced Christianity and others who still worship the "old gods" of Paganism. Viviane (Anjelica Huston), the Lady of the Lake, is the ruling Pagan priestess who presides over the Isle of Avalon; determined not to lose her power to the rising tides of Christianity, Viviane uses her wiles and influence to bring Arthur (Edward Atterton), a potentate who has brought Pagan and Christian forces together, to the throne. Viviane's niece, Morgaine (Juliana Margulies), proves to be instrumental in helping Viviane carry out her plan, but Morgause (Joan Allen), Morgaine's sister, becomes bitterly jealous of her sister's privileged status, and uses her own considerable powers to bring down Viviane. Produced for the TNT cable network, The Mists of Avalon originally aired in two parts, beginning July 15, 2001.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/05/2012
UPC:	0883929243600
Original Release:	2001
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Home Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	3:03:00
Sales rank:	4,342

Special Features

Additional scenes; Gallery of photos; Storyboards; Costume/Production Designs; Family Tree; ; cc

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Anjelica Huston	Viviane
Julianna Margulies	Morgaine
Joan Allen	Morgause
Samantha Mathis	Gwenhwyfar
Caroline Goodall	Igraine
Edward Atterton	Arthur
Michael Vartan	Lancelot
Michael Byrne	Merlin
Hans Matheson	Mordred
Mark Lewis Jones	Uther
Clive Russell	Gerlois
Tamsin Egerton	Young Morgaine
Christopher Fulford	Lot
David Calder	Uriens
Hugh Ross	Pairicius
Edward Jewesbury	Ambrosius
Freddie Highmore	Young Arthur
John Comer	Captain Talbot
Edward Highmore	Young Arthur
Klara Issova	Raven
Lee Holdridge	Composer
Loreena McKennitt	Composer

Technical Credits

Gavin Scott

Eli Edel	Director,Director
Lisa Alexander	Producer,Executive Producer
Iris Grossman	Casting
Rimas Juchnevicius	Special Effects
David L. Wolper	Executive Producer,Executive Producer,Executive Producer
Jeremy Zimmerman	Casting
James Coburn	Executive Producer
Gideon Amir	Producer
Bernd Eichinger	Producer
Andrea Clark	Casting
Nancy Bishop	Casting
Gavin Scott	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

A reworking of Arthurian lore based on Marion Zimmer Bradley's bestselling novel, The Mists of Avalon is told through the eyes of the women who wielded power behind King Arthur's throne. Anjelica Huston is Viviane, the Lady of the Lake, who presides as high priestess on the mist-shrouded Isle of Avalon, the pagan seat of power and a mystical world invisible to nonbelievers. The rise of Christianity in England, though, sees more people turning away from Viviane, and the general drop in faith levels causes Avalon to recede ever deeper into the mists, making it difficult for even believers to reach. With hopes of saving Avalon, Viviane influences her sister Ingraine (Caroline Goodall) to manipulate the royal lineage and birth of Arthur (Edward Atterton), who grows up with his sister Morgaine (Julianna Margulies) to be a king friendly to both pagan and Christian faiths. Nonetheless, Viviane's evil sister Morgause (Joan Allen) endeavors to thwart all plans to save Avalon. From the women's childhoods through the battle between Christianity and paganism, Mists makes enthralling use of its four-hour miniseries format, developing the complex story well while allowing for rich development of the central characters. Director Uli Edel makes remarkable use of his budget to create lavish set pieces and visual effects, and also draws entertaining turns from Samantha Mathis, Michael Vartan, and Hans Matheson.