Historical : Any Limeys recall a cheapo series about 'Arthur'?

Any Limeys recall a cheapo series about 'Arthur'?

Many years ago ('70s?) there was series concerning the Round Table and Modred; Lancelot; Gwen; Saxons, etc. As I can recall, I don't even think it was in color.
Even with the cheapness, I tried to see each chapter, as they seemed to be trying to be adult. Not like that CAMELOT slop from a couple of years back with that frat boy Arthur.
I believe the show I'm asking about was from England. Might have been early '80s.

Re: Any Limeys recall a cheapo series about 'Arthur'?

Two possibilities, firstly
'Arthur of the Britons' (1972) http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0068041/ was an attempt at a dark age Arthur by the same company that later made 'Robin of Sherwood'. It ran for two series and while it was definitely lacking in budget it was a good stab at a kids adventure series and is remembered fondly. Lots of Saxons but no Lancelot as I recall, it's available on DVD http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arthur-Britons-1-2-Complete-DVD/dp/B00113NWZ0/ ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1362230576&sr=1-1

There was an edited TV movie version released in the US called 'King Arthur the Young Warlord' (1975) http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0073244/

More likely
'The Legend of King Arthur' (1979) http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0404196/ from the BBC which, in spite of it's Sunday teatime scheduling was considerably more adult in its approach than a lot of other adaptations. They also went for 'dark age' production design and it was shot on videotape and mostly in the studio. It looked cheap but the writing took it to a different level. Unfortunately never released on video or DVD that I'm aware of.



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Re: Any Limeys recall a cheapo series about 'Arthur'?

The Legend... seems the most likely. I came into this series near the end; I do recall Modred was trying to con the Saxons into joining him to destroy Arthur. He gave praise to the Saxons and said "He would give them the *honor of being in the first attacking wave."
The Saxons laughed in his "little prince" face and walked out on him.

I recall the armor the knights wore was like somebody hammered some metal together
in a shed; which was most likely the way it *was done then.
Legend seems to be 'unavailable'.

Re: Any Limeys recall a cheapo series about 'Arthur'?

I don't know about 'hammered some metal together in a shed', the production and costume design was one of the superior elements of that series. The only image I can find for it is the cover of the novelisation of the series, ring any bells? http://www.popscreen.com/p/MTM1NTkxNDYy/The-Legend-of-King-Arthur-Andr ew-Davies-BBC-Armada-1979-eBay

Taking painting to the pictures ...
www.thepicturepalace.co.uk

Re: Any Limeys recall a cheapo series about 'Arthur'?

No, it's been too long, I couldn't recognize any faces if I looked now. I'm just guessing that was the show, but it *was in '70s to '80s. If you watched do you recall Modred trying to rope in Saxons?

p.s. Yes, the Arthurian thing always seem to have marvelous art work.

Re: Any Limeys recall a cheapo series about 'Arthur'?

What's a limey?

Intelligence and purity.

Re: Any Limeys recall a cheapo series about 'Arthur'?

One 'oo avoids scurvey <arrgh!>

Re: Any Limeys recall a cheapo series about 'Arthur'?

1st bit., to furienna ,

As far as I recall, 'Limey', was a USA Slang term from the 1930's of referance to the mannerisms of the 'British', people that they *met, when attempting to trace their family history, or had business over seas.

American's couldn't initially understand the British, ' Stiff Upper Lip ', or dourness that they encountered when they were used to being very 'Outspoken', the equivalent act they did understand was the 'Sourness' like sucking on a Lemon. Many ' Working Class British , also would regularly express mild astonishment, usually London'ers speaking 'Cockney' , with a resonant.., ' Blimey'GuV ?!' Hence the slang of 'Limey', got used frequently during WW2 , which opryphantom1 quoted well. Fortunately much has changed since 1950's.

As for the ' Legend of King Arthur , I do remember it being listed in Radio Times , but could not actually get to view it.
While we had just the 3 main channels then, some programmes were produced 'Regionally' , that mean't One section of our country got to 'Test-Run', a series. Only those that did well, then got ' Selected ', for further series across the whole country.

This is another aspect where British TV has 'evolved', since the 1st Trans-Atlantic broadcast's upon the ' Wogan Show.


f< @Crow_TLJ0NG

Re: Any Limeys recall a cheapo series about 'Arthur'?

Could it have been
The Adventures of Sir Lancelot (1956)

That was mainly about Lancelot, but usually included Arthur and Queen Guinevere, as well as a comic Merlin. As it was made in the 50s it wasn't in colour.

Re: Any Limeys recall a cheapo series about 'Arthur'?

Somebody has uploaded (from poor quality VHS) 'The Legend of King Arthur' onto youtube, episode one here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGGb2Nw-BkE other episodes linked to on the right of that page.

And for furienna, 'limey' originated as US naval slang for the British because sailors in the Royal Navy were issued a daily ration of lime juice to prevent scurvy.

Taking painting to the pictures ...
www.thepicturepalace.co.uk
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