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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. Stuart Gazzo

All Movie Guide

This three-hour miniseries adapts Marion Zimmer Bradley's feminist recasting of the Arthurian mythos into a big-budget cable television event. In ancient England, Christianity is spreading and the Saxons are invading. It's up to Viviane (Anjelica Huston) -- Lady of the Lake and high priestess of the kingdom's ancient pagan religion -- to make sure that the next king will honor both the old and new faiths and thereby banish the barbarian hordes. Viviane manipulates her sister Igraine (Caroline Goodall) into marrying King Uther Pendragon (Mark Lewis Jones) and bearing a son, Arthur (Edward Atterton) -- much to the consternation of Viviane's other sister, the power-hungry Morgause (Joan Allen). Arthur grows up happily with his older half-sister, Morgaine (Julianna Margulies), until Merlin (Michael Byrne) spirits him off for training and Viviane brings Morgaine to the mystical island of Avalon to develop her magical connection to the Goddess. Years later, the siblings reunite in a masked mating ritual, unaware that their union is incestuous -- or that their son, Mordred (Hans Matheson), will fall into Morgause's clutches and destroy the delicate balance that Viviane has sought to maintain. As Arthur gathers the knights of the round table and ushers in a golden age with Queen Gwenhwyfar (Samantha Mathis) at his side, the seeds of his destruction, and Avalon's, have already been planted -- by Arthur himself. Filmed on-location in Prague, The Mists of Avalon premiered on the TNT cable network July 15 and 16, 2001. Director Uli Edel, best known for his feature adaptation of Last Exit to Brooklyn, had previously helmed Purgatory for TNT. The titular mists -- developed by Edel and executive producer Mark Wolper -- utilized custom fluid dynamic software designed specifically for the project. Celtic musician Loreena McKennitt added her theme music to composer Lee Holdridge's score. Brian J. Dillard

Product Details

• UPC: 053939663624
• Source: TURNER HOME ENT
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English, Français
• Subtitles: English, Français, Español, Portugais
• Time: 3:03:00
• Sales Rank: 13,217

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