Review: “Mists of Avalon”

A small boat drifts through the mists with a woman standing in its bow. Morgaine introduces herself as a woman who was loved and despised. This begins the movie "Mists of Avalon" based on the Bestseller novel by Fantasy author Marion Zimmer Bradley. The film debated on cable television last summer and recently became available as a DVD and tape. It has a great cast that depicts the story well. "Mists of Avalon" has an excellent plot, realistic characters and a potent setting.

The movie has an excellent plot that keeps a viewer watching it until the end. Its story is based on the legend of King Arthur, but from the point of view of the women. Moving rapidly, the lot follows the characters of Arthurian legend as they clash between pagan worship, Christianity and the invading Anglo-Saxons. Morgaine and Arthur grow up in this world under the influence of the isle of Avalon. They struggle with their love, war and court intrigue. This takes place in a time when the Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain. No knights in armor inhabit this mystical, harsh world. The story begins when Igraine is visited by Viviane, the priestess of Avalon and Igraine's sister. Events take place that shape the rest of Morgaine's and Arthur's lives. All of the elements of the legend are present in the movie, which holds a viewer's attention.

Realistic characters makes a movie compelling, and this one has plenty of strong characters. Morgaine is a strong woman with a sense of humor. In this story, she loved her brother and resents their parting in childhood. Trained as a priestess of Avalon, she becomes strong willed and fights for what she believes is right. She finds an obstacle in Viviane. The high priestess is driven by keeping the worship of Avalon alive. Viviane does anything to keep this going by manipulating lives to their detriment. Guenevere is a strong character too. She is desperate to have a baby for Arthur and fights against her love for Lancelot. Other characters are well developed though the women are prominent.

Finally, the film's potent setting gives it a strong sense of reality. "Mists of Avalon" is filmed on location in many parts of Europe. There are glimpses of real castles mixed in with the computer renditions. Film sets and costumes look authentic to the period. Special effects blend in naturally with the live shots to give an impression that the viewer really is there. The films's setting evokes a strong sense of reality that the characters and plot play against.

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