St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 134

eetertaimimeinit: ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH Apr. 12, 1981 4 Wielding Swords, Knives On Screens By Joe Pollack Of the Post-Dispatch Staff the new movies 'Excalibur' the film slows a bit too much, but most of the time, tlie glorious figures of those legendary days are, as they' should be, larger than life. "Excalibur" is a fascinating film, rich in detail and highly enjoyable. There's a lot of violence, and some sexual encounters, too, which are the probable causes of the rating.

(Running time: 2 hours, 14 minutes. Rating, R. At the Cave Springs, Crestwood, Esquire, Nameoki, Village, Woods Mill) 'Nighthawks' on "Deliverance," wrote the screenplay, and it works. More important, the large cast fits perfectly. Nigel Terry, as Arthur, does a superior job of aging and, more important, of maturing.

He shows the ebullience of youth, the power of his glory days and the tired, bitter, older man, deceived by his wife and his best friend and almost destroyed by the fact that his dream has turned to ashes. Helen Mirren is an effective Morgana, and Cherie Lunghi is a lovely Guenevere. Nicholas Clay's Lancelot was less effective, but Paul Geoffrey, as Perceval, was charming in his squire days, strong as a knight in search of the Grail. Two of Boorman's children also show up his daughter, Katrine, as Arthur's mother, Igrayne, and his son, Charley, as the young Mordred. Arthurian films, like the books, cover a great scope, and Boorman has used his beautiful Irish settings to perfection.

The castles, the sieges, the battles, the forests are gorgeous, and Anthony Pratt, who designed the production, deserves considerable credit. So does William Hobbs, who designs battles for the Royal Shakespeare Company and who repeated on the film. The are moments, during Perceval's search, when The tired-looking, bandanna-wearing woman walks slowly down the New York street, clutching her purse. Three knife-wielding youths suddenly appear and close in. They want the purse.

She takes it from her shoulder and wham! powl zowiel she decks a would-be assailant with it. Then she rips off the bandanna, and it's Sylvester Stallone, an undercover policeman. From that beginning, which works effectively, "Nighthawks" goes on to be a better-than-average cops-and-robbers picture, with the element of terrorism soon superseding mere sidewalk punks Stallone and his partner, Billy Dee Williams, are taken off the street when a terrorist decides to use New York as a showcase for his talents. Dutch actor See MOVIES, Page 12 fed J. JttCW i fill I xi ISA 4 ir w- When it comes to sweep and scope, there's nothing like the big screen.

"Excalibur," the new film of the King Arthur legend, proves it once again, with sprawling battle sequences and moments of splendor and glory that are spectacular. The Arthurian stories are enduring ones, and this English film, with John Boorman as producer, director and co-writer, is adapted from Malory's "La Morte d' Arthur." It follows the man who may be the world's most famous king of either fact or fiction. With a cast of relatively unknown, but extremely talented English actors, Boorman follows the legend, beginning with Arthur's father, a brilliant warrior but a man whose lust for his rival's queen causes his downfall. Most of the story is outlined by Nicol Williamson as Merlin the Magician, a man of great wisdom, made perhaps even greater by the fact that he knows and understands his limitations. Williamson, obviously enjoying the role, is a Merlin whose eyes twinkle with wry wit, in addition to having the ability to view the future and understanding the past.

Williamson overplays it a bit, but not too much, and he is highly enjoyable. Arthur's father, Uther, and his rival, Cornwall, make peace, helped by Merlin. But Uther's desire for Cornwall's queen, Igrayne, is so great that he offers Merlin anything in exchange for the necessary magic to spend a night with her. Merlin demands the offspring of the relationship, and Uther agrees. His desire must be pretty strong, because he never removes his armor.

Years later, the young Arthur, a squire to his brother, is able to remove the enchanted sword from its rock, and he is proclaimed king. He woos and weds the beautiful Guenevere, becomes friends with Lancelot, establishes the Round Table, creates peace and happiness throughout the land. Then, the tragedies predicted by Merlin begin. Arthur's half-sister, Morgana, arrives. Lancelot and Guenevere fall in love, and are accused of adultery though none has been committed.

Lancelot duels Gawain for Guenevere's honor, is wounded and retreats to the woods to bathe his wounds. Guenevere follows him, and they become lovers. Arthur finds them, and the dishonorable act is followed by disaster to the nation. When Arthur sends his knights to find the Grail and restore glory to the kingdom, only Perceval survives, claiming the Grail from Morgana and Mordred, her illegitimate child by Arthur, from another magically arranged seduction. And then, of course, the climactic battle between the forces of good and those of evil.

It's a long story, but Arthur lived a long life. Boorman and Rospo Pallenberg, who collaborated Lancelot (left), played by Nicholas Clay, and Arthur, portrayed by tygel Terry, in the classic duel between the king and the man who had never been defeated in combat. The scene is from "Excalibur." BOX OFFICES NOW OPEN! PHONE MAIL ORDERS CHARGE-BY-PHONE (314) 231-1234 or Send Payment (Master Card Visa include number and expiration date) with Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to: Muny Casts Fred 'Gopher' Grandy AMERICAN THEATRE 416 No. 9th St. Louis, Mo.

63101 Municipal Opera; Henderson was here last summer in "South Pacific" and McCook and Berry were headlined two years ago. Fred Grandy, who plays Gopher Smith on television's "Love Boat," will appear at the Municipal Opera this summer, portraying J. Pierpont Finch in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," beginning Aug. 10. The announcement brings to eight the number of shows scheduled on the Forest Park stage this summer.

The season will open June 15 with "Flower Drum Song," with Johnny Yune. Other performers named for the summer include Van Johnson and John McCook in "Show Boat," Florence Henderson in "Annie Get Your Gun" and Ken Berry Johnson, Grandy and Yune will be making their first appearances at the Humble Pie Returns Humble Pie is returning to St. Louis this week for a concert at Night Moves Thursday. Unlike the last time the British quartet was here it has a new album to support with "Go for the Throat." The current line-up for the band that spawned Peter Frampton includes original members Steve Marriott and Jerry Shirley and newcomers Bobby Tench and Anthony Jones. Mike Merrick JU at the movies LAUGH Tl mmmm V.

FOR TICKETS TO A ninny WRY LOOK AT Chervl Kennedy A LIFE THE IIATRE MBQuonea taimeen msmi JackGwillim NichdasWyman Alan Jay Frederick Lerner Loewe Hutton and Judd Hirsch all standouts, and Robert Redford's direction keeping a sensitive story from becoming a soap opera. DES PERES, ESQUIRE, SOUTH CITY, WESTPORT. THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (R) Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange in a remake of James M. Cain's novel of lust and murder, but his constant, wide-eyed stare makes Nicholson more of a caricature than a character. Lange is delightful.

CREVE COEUR, CROSS KEYS, RONNIE'S. RAGING BULL (R) Superior work by Robert De Niro as Jake La Motta, the former boxer, but he's such an unpleasant character that it's hard to feel much except revulsion. WESTPORT. THIEF (R) Entertaining caper story, with James Caan effective as a safecracker who runs afoul of the mob's plans for his career. CRESTWOOD, VILLAGE.

TESS (PG) A strikingly beautiful film, with Roman Polanski bringing outstanding and sensitive direction to the Thomas Hardy novel. NORTHWEST PLAZA. TRIBUTE (PG) Jack Lemmon in a tour de force portrayal of a public relations man who is loved by everyone except his family. Effective despite a tendence to the over-sentimental. CAMEO.

NINE TO FIVE (PG) Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda as three hard-working secretaries who decide that justice in the officw would be a good idea. Entertaining comedy. CHESTERFIELD, ESQUIRE, RONNIE'S, VILLAGE. THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN (PG) Lily Tomlin in a science-fiction tale, with Charles Grodin as her husband. She wanted so much, but she got so little.

MANCHESTER, PADDOCK. THE LONG RIDERS (PG) and THE FINAL COUNTDOWN (PG) A Jesse James yarn, with good action, and a science-fiction look at a 1980s naval vessel suddenly in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 6, 1941. CROWN. THE JAZZ SINGER (PG) Neil Diamond cannot now, or ever, be compared to Al Jolson, and the movie is tired, stilted and boring.

MANCHESTER, PADDOCK. JOE POLLACK The Curtain rises promptly. After curtain, no one will be admitted until an appropriate time that will not disturb the play. CHiver Smith Ceci Beaton KenBltoigtm with Brendan Burke and Stephan Cowan directed by Steven Woolf CALL 968-4925 MCVISAAM.EX. or use any Famous-Barr ticketmaster location A Life In The Theatre March 25 to April 19 Tickets: $6 general admission $8.50 reserved jot uavw raige tw uur rsjuts i rveis Robert Russell Bennett Ph3 Lang, Franz Alters CrandallOieW i 8 P.M..

21.90, 19.90, 16.90 Fri. Sat. 8 P.M 22.90, 20.90, 17.90 Sun. Mat. 3 P.M 20.90, 18.90, 15.90 Sat.

Thurs. Mat. (430) Wed. Mat. (56).

2 P.M.. 19.90, 17.90, 14.90 BREAKER MORANT (PG) An Australian film that takes an episode during the Boer War and gives it a powerful universality. The court-martial of Lt. Harry (The Breaker) Morant is a masterful achievement, with superior acting and superior techical work, especially the direction of Bruce Beresford, which is totally gripping. A wonderful motion picture.

CHESTERFIELD, GRANDVIEW, HI-POINTE, SUNSET. THE HOWLING (R) A better-than-average horror film, leavened with humor that spoofs films, television and other easy-to-tease things. Dee Williams and Christopher Stone star, and there are brief appearances from John Carradine and Slim Pickens. For the werewolf lover in everyone. CINEMA IV, CROSS KEYS, CYPRESS VILLAGE, ELLISVILLE, STADIUM II.

THE EARTHLING (PG) A travelogue of the Australian wilderness, which is beautiful, and a story of a man (William Holden) teaching a boy (Ricky Schroder) to survive in it. Predictably schmaltzy at times, but both actors are quite good, and the relationship is nicely shown. HALLS FERRY, RONNIE'S, SHADY OAK. GOING APE (PG) The ultimate legacy, three orangutans. Basically a silly comedy, but with a fair number of bright spots, especially in the performances of Danny De Vito and Jessica Walter.

The apes are fun, too. CHESTERFIELD, CYPRESS VILLAGE, HALLS FERRY, LINCOLN, RONNIE'S. THE HAUNTING OF (no rating) A gentle, rich ghost story, with beautiful Scottish setting, good acting and first-rate direction. An impressive effort by an independent director, Anna Thomas, and a film whose rating probably would be WINIFRED MOORE AUDITORIUM, WEBSTER COLLEGE, THROUGH TUESDAY. STAR WARS (G) The force returns for a second go-round.

ALTON, CINEMA IV, CHESTERFIELD, ESQUIRE, HALLS FERRY, SOUTH COUNTY. MELVIN AND HOWARD (R) A warm and wonderful film, with Bo Goldman's story of Howard Hughes' so-called Mormon will a brilliant, tongue-in-cheek look at the American dream. Paul LeMat and Jason Robards are excellent in the title roles, but Mary Steenburgen steals the film. She's a gem. DES PERES.

COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER (PG) Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn, the country singer who rose from poverty to stardom. Pretty standard biographical stuff, but nicely handled. Spacek does her own singing, and Tommy Lee Jones and Levon Helm stand out as her husband and father, respectively. CRESTWOOD, NORTHLAND, SOUTH CITY. FINAL CONFLICT (R) The third and last in the trilogy of Damien that began with "The Omen." Pretty good horror film.

CINEMA IV, DES PERES, HALLS FERRY, RONNIE'S, STADIUM I. BACK ROADS (R) Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones as a pair of losers heading from Alabama to California. Nice, light touch from director Martin Ritt, with a bittersweet flavor to much of the comedy. NAMEOKI, SUNSET. ORDINARY PEOPLE (R) A superior film, with Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, Timothy Patrick Garland LORETTO-HILTON A OOMECUTLER-H RMAN PRODUCTJON CONVENIENT BOX OFFICES AMERICAN THEATRE 12 GROUP RATES 20 or more 314-231-7000 Perfs.

It Price Info 314-231-1200 THEATRE 10A.M.-5;30 P.M. ALL FAMOUS BARR STORES MON-SAT 10AM-9PM tomght: KOI Dance Program At Webster Both classical and contemporary dance will be featured by the Webster Dance Theatre in performances Tuesday and Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Loretto-Hilton Center. Kay Henderson of Stephens College will choreograph "Square Peg," by Vivaldi, and other works will be choreographed by Gary Hubler, Mark Krupinski and Gail Mendelsohn of the Webster College Outstanding international guest artists and soloists. One of the world's great orchestras.

The brilliance of Leonard Slatkin. An exceptional concert hall. Exciting music. Ul MT YTI1IIIIIIITTTTTI ITT mm scr oil I Saintrbouis JIA ll-CI L-J CI "wv wj -3- 3 1- A sFmm rxb Nine convenient series to choose from. Call today for y7lJlVilJ FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 869-9400 BOX OFFICE OPEN 10 AM-6 PM (Closed Mondays) 5- Leonard Slatkin, Music Diri complete programs and prices.

and Conductor COUNT BASIE APRIL 30 8 10 p.m. APRIL 12 10 p.m. 5th DIMENSION MAY 1 KINGSTON TRIO mm JUNE 13 STEVE MARINO ORCH. DineDance cover APRIL 18 CAROL BETH ORCH. DineDance '350 cover MAY 8 A.A.U.

BOXING 8 p.m. APRIL 24 A.A.U. BOXING 8 p.m. MAY 9 PEACHES HERB APRIL 25 GINA KEN BARKEN ORCH. 8 11 p.m.

Dineuance 'o cover MAY 10 GLENN MILLER ORCH. APRIL 29 MUDDY WATERS DineDance kTTTf HITVftVtTTf lllim AMiejewiLi4M.