How merlin is portrayed in 20th century films

Using Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur as a guide, discuss how the character of Merlin from the Arthurian Legend changes throughout three 20th century film retellings.


Many writers and artists throughout the ages have made attempts of retelling Malory's Arthurian legend. In saying this, many of the ideals of characters change. Merlin, in particular, has been appropriated to fit many different texts. His image and his behaviour between different texts reflect this. Such texts that portray these changes include the films Excalibur, The Sword in the stone, and Merlin.

Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur was the original text that introduced the character of Merlin. Twentieth century films tend to portray Merlin as a magician whose soul purpose in life was to cast spells. In Le Morte D'Arthur Malory portrays Merlin as a very wise adviser and guide to Arthur, and was said to hold some magical powers.

There can be seen to be a vast contrast between Malory's text and Disney's The Sword i...