Knights of the Round Table (1953) | Directed by Richard Thorpe

Knights of the Round Table is a sweeping Technicolor adventure that brings the legends of King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, and Queen Guinevere to life. Set in a mythic version of medieval Britain, the film follows Arthur’s rise to the throne, the formation of the Round Table, and the tragic love triangle that threatens to destroy his kingdom. Amid battles, court intrigue, and noble quests, the knights strive for unity and justice in a land torn by ambition and betrayal. The story blends romance, heroism, and legend in a grand spectacle of chivalric ideals.

Genre: Historical adventure, fantasy

Director: Richard Thorpe

Richard Thorpe was an American film director known for his long and prolific career at MGM, directing over 180 films across genres. Born in 1896 in Kansas City, he began in the silent film era and built a reputation for efficiency and reliability, often completing films ahead of schedule. Though not known for a signature style, Thorpe was skilled at crafting commercially successful movies, particularly in costume dramas and musicals. His other well-known films include Ivanhoe, Jailhouse Rock, and The Prisoner of Zenda.

Star cast:
Robert Taylor as Sir Lancelot
Ava Gardner as Queen Guinevere
Mel Ferrer as King Arthur
Stanley Baker as Modred
Anne Crawford as Morgan Le Fay
Felix Aylmer as Merlin
Gabriel Woolf as Sir Percival

The film was a box-office success and a visual spectacle that impressed audiences with its lush Technicolor cinematography and grand battle sequences. It was praised for its lavish production values and stirring musical score. While some critics found the storytelling somewhat stiff and melodramatic, the film’s romanticized portrayal of Arthurian legend resonated with moviegoers. It was one of MGM’s major hits of the early 1950s and was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.

Fun facts:

* Knights of the Round Table was the first CinemaScope film produced by MGM and one of the earliest wide-screen epics, signaling a new era in visual storytelling.
* The film was shot on location in England and Ireland, with authentic castles and landscapes enhancing the medieval setting.
* It was MGM’s first Arthurian film and helped spark renewed interest in chivalric epics during the 1950s.
* Robert Taylor had previously starred in Ivanhoe, another medieval epic directed by Richard Thorpe, making him a familiar face in period costume films.
* The film was based loosely on Sir Thomas Malory’s "Le Morte d'Arthur" and took liberties with the legend to heighten drama and romantic tension.
* Ava Gardner’s casting as Guinevere added star power, though her performance received mixed reviews for being more glamorous than regal.

* This Rumble Movie Channel is comprehensively indexed on https://kinoquick.com - find you favourite movies fast & free!
* Follow this channel to be notified of daily movie updates.