Merlin: The Return is a 2000 British fantasy film written, produced, and directed by Paul Matthews. The film stars Rik Mayall, Patrick Bergin, Craig Sheffer, Adrian Paul, Julie Hartley, and Tia Carrere.[2] It tells the story of Merlin and King Arthur in modern times.[3][4]
| Merlin: The Return | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Paul Matthews |
| Written by | Paul Matthews |
| Based on | Arthurian legend |
| Produced by | Elizabeth Matthews Paul Matthews |
| Starring | Rik Mayall Patrick Bergin Craig Sheffer Adrian Paul Tia Carrere |
| Cinematography | Vincent G. Cox |
| Edited by | Peter Davies |
| Music by | Mark Thomas |
Production company | Allumination |
| Distributed by | Peakviewing Transatlantic Plc |
Release date | 22 December 2000 |
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £20,868 (UK)[1] |
This article needs an improved plot summary. (October 2022) |
For 1500 years, the powers of Merlin (Rik Mayall) have kept the evil Mordred (Craig Sheffer) and his mother Morgana (Grethe Fox) captive in another world. When a present-day scientist (Tia Carrere) stumbles upon the gateway between this world and the one Mordred is imprisoned in, it is up to a recently re-awakened King Arthur (Patrick Bergin) Merlin and Lancelot (Adrian Paul) to stop Mordred from returning.[5]
Critical reception for the film was mostly negative;[6][7][improper synthesis?] Michael Thomson of the BBC wrote, "It's almost as if director Paul Matthews had accepted a bet to make the worst possible film."[8] Time Out London commented that the film was "indifferently directed" but was "a harmless adventure".[9] Total Film, in summing up the film, wrote, "It's a word that has some might/It starts with `Sh'/And rhymes with kite...".[10]