Director
Frederik Du Chau

Cast/Voices
Jessalyn Gilsig,
Cary Elwes,
Don Rickles,
Eric Idle,
Gary Oldman

Music
Patrick Doyle

Based on the legend of Excalibur, the sword of King Arthur(miscast voicing of Pierce Bronson) , the magic sword, is wanted ever so much by the very evil ex-round table knight Lord Ruber (voiced by Gary Oldman).   During a round table meeting, Ruber's bird thing Griffin (voiced by a totally unrecognisable Bronson Pinchot) steals the sword, but drops it into the forbidden forest during his getway.

Meanwhile Young Kaley(Jessalyn Gilsig) who's father was once a knight of the round table before he was killed by Ruber, hears about the missing sword and sets out to find it.  During her trip into the forest she runs into blind hermit Garrett (Cary Elwes of Princess Bride fame).  The two decide to join forces to find the sword before Lord Ruber does. 
Now up until this point, the story is a bit lame.  Once the two headed dragon makes their entrance, things really pick up. This dragon, known as Cornwell (Don Rickles) and Devon (Eric Idle) is the films real comic relief and the two ham it up beautifully.   So now it's the three of them..or is that four of them, that are now looking for the magic sword. 

Just like a Disney anim film, this one has a few songs along the way, some are actually quite good, with the Corrs, lead singer Andrea Corr and Celine Dion lending their vocal talents (at least on the English track). Gary Oldman does all his own singing as well. 

So How Does These Transfers Hold Up??

VIDEO
Though credited on the slick as being framed at 1.66:1 AND Anamorphic, it's actually 1.78:1 and Anamorphic (it was released theatrically at 1.75:1).  The picture quality is near perfect.  Detail level is very high, there is no artifacting, something many have said can easily occur with animation, and a grainy and dusty print was obviously not available for this transfer (thanks god).  All in all a damn fine looking animated film on DVD

Video Highlights
Ch 01 02:09 - 02:20 Pulling the Sword
Ch 07 14:35 - 14:38 Kaley hear's the horn
Ch 08 19:37 - 19:54 Go While you Have the Chance
Ch 22 48:01 - 48:14 Rainy Days
Ch 24 54:28 - 54:43 Nap Time's Over


AUDIO
Again the slick is incorrect with the audio tracks as ALL are presented in Dolby Digital 5.1.  Though there is a fair amount of surround and LFE activity, the front sound stage comes across with too much separation between the channels.  The soundtrack also seems a little distant, when it would have been better to be bought forward.   Still it does sound nice, but could have been better.  The songs in each language, have been redubbed into the appropriate language, rather than intercutting them with the English versions.  (they've done it very well to). 

Audio Highlights
Ch 03 07:33 - 07:38 Power of the Sword
Ch 09 22:33 - 25:55 The Prayer (Celine Dion)
Ch 14 32:33 - 32:42 Dragon Country
Ch 16 36:00 - 36:22 Dragon's Attack!!
Ch 23 52:28 - 52:45 Monster with the Sword

EXTRAS
Not a sausage of an extra on this DVD I'm afraid..Very disappointing

Warner have come close to the magic of a Disney anime, and I enjoyed this romp far more than I expected.  You get your Anamorphic Picture, Multi channel sound and a story the kids will love.

Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T50W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Pioneer DV717  (using RGB outputs)
Receiver: Marantz SR870 & Sony SDP-EP9ES
Speakers:-
     Fronts: B&W 602
     Centre: B&W CDMC-SE
     Rears: Jamo Magic 14
     Subby: M&K V125 

- Reviewed 12th January 2000