The Legend of King Arthur (1979)

Andrew Davies' sumptuous adaptation of the timeless saga

This 8-part drama brings high romance, low treachery and magical adventure via a host of legendary characters: wise old Merlin, brave Sir Lancelot, King Arthur, ruler of all Britain and master of the Knights of the Round Table, the beguiling Queen Guinevere and her nemesis Morgan la Fay. Dark Ages wizard Merlin (Robert Eddison), weary of the barbarism around him, creates a new order of enlightenment and justice with a youthful Arthur (Andrew Burt) at its head. Merlin gifts Arthur with the magic legendary sword Excalibur to help him defeat the nobles who oppose his rule. But Arthur must also beware his half-sister Morgan (Maureen O'Brien), a sorceress who has sworn to kill him to avenge her father's death. As Morgan intensifies her plans to get revenge, she uses magic to draw Lancelot (David Robb) and Guinevere (Felicity Dean) into a passionate affair. But it is the still more traitorous Mordred (Steve Hodson) who will fatally halt Arthur's rule.