Merlin: The Complete Collection [DVD]

Merlin was designed, allegedly, as a way of keeping the Doctor Who crew busy between series. But it became a lot more than that. The first series does indeed look like an afterthought, with indifferent scripts, cautious plotlines and occasionally inept special effects. But having become a hit, series 2 was pretty good, with much more character development and clearly, a higher budget. Seasons 3 and 4 are, with the characterisation settled and the series secure, absolute gems. They deserve to be considered classics of BBC TV. Series 5 unfortunately loses its way a bit towards the end, as the series ended earlier than had been expected. The finale, as a result, feels rather rushed, and part two in particular seems to have at best a confused plot.The main strength of the show is its casting. Colin Morgan is outstanding as Merlin, playing a multi-faceted character with skill, determination and an impeccable English accent. His scenes as an old man are quite brilliantly conceived, and played with a warmth and humour that other BBC series unfortunately seem to have lost, most amusingly when he insults Arthur by calling him 'toadface'. Yet in many ways even he is upstaged by Angel Coulby as Guinevere/Gwenhwyfar, who plays the beggar maid to princess to absolute perfection and never once gives less than a glorious performance. Bradley James and Katie McGrath may never win Oscars, but they are both well-matched to their roles and clearly enjoy themselves. Richard Wilson and Anthony Head do as brilliantly as they ever do, while Emilia Fox and Nathaniel Parker provide strong support at various times, as do Rupert Young and Eoin Macken.After the first series, the camerawork and special effects are also very good, and locations are skilfully chosen and blended into the show. Although everyone knows the fairy tale Camelot is a castle in France, Rhaglen appears in many different guises and provides a suitably sinister ruinous backdrop. Castell Coch and I think Ewloe also hop up from time to time, as locations in Wales were used to excellent effect to create atmosphere and drama. A great deal of thought evidently went into the costumes and the outdoor scenes, and the result is a fabulous feast for the eyes.But it's also fair to note that apart from the execution, the whole idea of the series itself is a very good one. This is Camelot re-imagined for the modern age, with social tension, egalitarianism and religious persecution to the fore: magic, 'the old religion', is persecuted by Uther (and then Arthur) and its practitioners have to stay very quiet about their abilities (I sometimes wonder if there is a different, subtle social comment in that). The kingdom resolves around the attempt by Arthur to rule fairly, justly and for the good of the common people - a very New Labour idea of the benevolent elite. In many ways, it does to Malory's work what Malory himself did to his French sources, and what they themselves had done to the original legends of Arthur in the Mabinogion. Of all efforts to do this in the last two hundred years, perhaps only T. H. White's The Once and Future King (to which the series clearly owes a lot) has come as close to making a superb, modern fantasy out of these wonderful ancient fables.It is therefore rather disappointing that the extras, while OK, are not much better than run of the mill. The excellent documentary The Real Merlin and Arthur was something I hoped to find here, but it is sadly missing. The deleted scenes are in some cases rather overwhelming in number and type. The 'making of' goes into a lot of technical detail, but more on the imagery and conception of the series, the characters and why they were reinvented in this way would have been welcome. The bloopers are, well, bloopers - funny, but not really much to write home about. The imagination clearly went into the series, rather than the presentation of it. There is also a wholly needless relic of the BBC's unwise decision to release the series half a series at a time, as the early series have two discs for extras (one would have been ample).So don't buy it for the extras - buy it for the series. The price makes it good value for money and will provide many hours of entertainment much of which is of top quality. Don't tell anyone, but it's a whole lot better than Doctor Who.

This TV series has acquired a cult following, and it's easy to see why. I missed it the first time around, but I'm now a dedicated fan. There's plenty of action, with some exciting long-sword play, especially from the athletic, yet astonishingly graceful, manly Arthur. But the real reason for the riveting qualities of the series comes from the sustained depth of the characterisations, especially from the two leads, Merlin and Arthur, who, contrary to legend, are the same age. Fortunately, both actors are accomplished at playing comedy. Their hilarious--and sometimes poignant--antagonistic banter forges a very close, largely unspoken (but not dodgy) bromance. Colin Morgan, in the very demanding title role, is one of the subtlest, most engaging and versatile actors I have ever seen. It's a huge role, and he was very young at the time--just wonderful! Bradley James makes an ideal Arthur, golden and handsome as the legends tell. We watch as he feels his way from being a youth full of his own self-consequence and naivety to a man of sterling principles, natural nobility and courage, occasional daftness, and with an easy, attractive charm. Angel Coulby is an interesting and unexpected Guinevere, not the fragile and pallid blond of legend, but with a charm and strength of appeal all her own. I am assuming that her suddenly plunging bodice in the later episodes is intended to captivate the male viewers as a belated counter to Arthur, whose frequent shirtless-ness in earlier episodes quickened the pulse rate of female viewers. Oddly, once he marries, Arthur appears to be wearing his shirt in bed (?!). Katie McGrath, as Morgana of the emerald eyes (and eye shadow), has great fun with the role once she crosses to the dark side; and Arthur's knights are a riotous and attractive lot. Two real legends of our own time, Richard Wilson and Anthony Head, lend much gravitas and texture as Gaius, Merlin's mentor, and King Uther Pendragon, respectively. A string of prominent guest stars adds to the quality of the series. The dragon, voiced by the late John Hurt, has some hilarious facial expressions--a bit of CGI genius there. The series can be patchy, with some episodes far better written than others, although the later ones tend to be better, I think. There are sometimes plot inconsistencies and occasional continuity gaffs.A suspiciously "same" woodland hollow appears time and again in supposed different locations. But the real medieval castle, the streets of Camelot, and Gaius's room, are brilliant. The music will keep you alert, especially the thrumming gallop music whenever they are riding out from Camelot (all the time), and the sudden bangs to indicate shock and surprise will make you jump, as intended. Some of the directing is ingenious at times, especially from Alice Troughtan and Justin Molotnikov. (I have a strong suspicion that many of the clever shots and ideas in "Merlin" were copied by the directors of "Game of Thrones". The dragon flying up towards the camera and out of shot, the wings behind the victorious Daenarys, are just a couple. You'll spot lots more.) Arthur's death, alone with Merlin, was almost unbearably poignant. So sensitively done by Molotnikov and the two actors. Watch this box set. I'd be amazed if you weren't hooked! PeonyRose

This was one of the best series for older children that the Beeb did. The young actors were well cast and really got into their roles, playing alongside seasoned actors such as Anthony Head and Richard Wilson, always a pleasure to watch. They deservedly continued to good careers. Many of the stories were lightly related to the old legends, though the ongoing line was closer (so sadly, we know it all ends badly at the Battle of Badon). The repartee between Merlin and Arthur is great fun and a pleasure to return to. The wonderful French castle used for most episodes as a set just makes it all, so green screen is kept to a minimum. And John Hurt does a superb job as the voice of the dragon. Some of the later episodes (series 4 +) are a bit scary for kids prone to nightmares, but generally this should be fine for people from 13 up. Stephen Fry said that the BBC ought to do more series as good as this, and I agree with him.

Love it. I love it. This is the best tv series ever. I swear, I love everything about it: soundtracks, characters, actors... Oh yes... This is the best cast ever. They aren't just actors... They are so funny, and Katie (that is funny as well) is so sweet and beautiful (AND MORGANA IS A FANTASTIC CHARACTER). I love Eoin Macken and Alex Vlahos too. I mean, they all are just incredible. The evolution of the characters is amazing, like the relationship between them. I love fantasy creatures too, especially Kilgharrah :3 I think that anyone who likes fantasy, must watch this. It will make you happy :)...Well, happy 'till the episode before the last one. Because watching the last one, you'll cry all your tears.