[light music]
[dramatic music]
[grand orchestral music]
[hammer thudding]
- Morning, Firth.
- Hi.
- Put a shine on these for
me, there's a good fellow.
- For the tournament, sire?
- Naturally.
- Well, toss 'em there with
the rest of the things.
- Firth?
- What now?
- All these weapons with M on them.
- Ah, they've been piling up
there ever since yesterday.
Every hour some knight comes
prancing in with a new one.
I've only got one pair of hands.
- Well, whose are they?
- Oh, they belong to
King Marhaus of Mercia.
- Are his men entering the tournament?
- Fishing tournament, more likely.
Do you know what they
want me to do with these?
- Why sharpen them, of course.
- Not a bit.
Blunt 'em, that's what the order is.
Blunt the swords, put tips on the spears,
and guards on the axes.
- Strange order for a
fire-eater like Marhaus.
- That's what I said, Sir Lancelot,
to the knight that came in.
"That's a strange order," I says.
And him, he smiles all sweet as honey.
"That's the way King
Marhaus wants it," he says.
The king doesn't want to
run the risk of hurting
any of Arthur's men in the tournament.
- Hm, the first time I've
heard him be so solicitous
for other people's welfare.
- Now that's what I said.
Why should King Marhaus
care whether or not
his men scratch us up a bit?
- Well what did the knight say?
- Well now he showed a bit
more teeth in that sweet smile
of his and said, "Why, our
men wouldn't hurt your men
for all the world."
Oh, it was sickening.
- I don't like it.
- You think I do?
It takes more work to blunt them things
than to sharpen them.
I'll be at it all night.
- Isn't it lovely, Lancelot?
One of Sakay's pages
brought it from Rivera.
- And now all the ladies of the court
will be making pilgrimages
to Rivera by nightfall.
But you my dear, will be the
first, and the loveliest.
- Thank you, my lord.
And you, sir knight, remain
as silent as the tomb.
- The cloak is dazzling
my lady, and so are you,
but I am here on more important business.
- What can be more important
than to pay homage to your queen?
- In a new cloak of
pure velvet from Rivera.
- My lord,
will you consider the
question of these weapons?
- Lancelot, I admire your zeal,
and your sense of caution,
but you seem bent on making
something out of nothing.
- Don't you think it's strange
when a man like King Marhaus
orders all his weapons to be blunted?
- It's an admirable and humane gesture.
He wants only the sport of the tournament,
not the bloodshed.
- [Lancelot] And Marhaus strikes you
as a singularly humane king?
- [Arthur] I've no reason
to believe otherwise.
- Yet it's well-known he
opposes your every move
towards unifying Britain
and establishing a peaceful order here.
- He has a right to his convictions,
just as I have a right to mine.
- Very well then.
Why does he make such a point of sending
his weapons to our smith?
Why doesn't he use his own armorer?
- Because it is common
knowledge that Firth
is the best smith in the west country.
Besides, King Marhaus
has pitched his tents
just outside Camelot for the tournament.
Now why should he send his weapons
all the way back to Mercia?
- My Lord, are you sure you're right
to dismiss all this so lightly?
- I refuse to listen to
slander about a friendly king.
- My lady, I know of
Marhaus, and his ambition.
Already he controls all
the land east of the Finns
and west of the Marches.
He'll not be content
until his kingdom extends
to all lands on the
channel, including Camelot.
- And have you proof of this?
- Marhaus has scarcely been
secretive about his ambitions.
- You are accusing a man
without actual evidence,
condemning a king before
he's proven guilty.
There are no facts to support
your claim, Sir Lancelot,
and until you can produce facts,
I'm not interested in petty gossip.
- Gossip?
- If we choose to take notice of it,
every monarchy is a seat of conspiracy.
Plots and attempts to depose
the reigning sovereign.
- [Lancelot] My lord-
- But I have elected to recognize
the essential goodness
in man, not the villainy.
The example we set here at Camelot
has repercussions throughout the land.
How can we ever hope to
convince other kingdoms,
and persuade them to share our beliefs,
when we become nothing
more than suspicious,
evil-thinking, name-calling churls.
- Is that what you think of me?
- That is how you are acting.
- You wrong me, my lord.
- And you wrong yourself,
stooping to the low level
of spreading malicious talk
about our guests.
- Marhaus is-
- Our guest!
King Marhaus enters the gates of Camelot
in a friendly tournament as our guest!
Remember that.
- I have a great deal more to remember.
- Your manners, for one thing.
- And the obtuseness of
my king, for another.
- Lancelot you've gone too far.
- And you, my lord, go not far enough.
- Sir knight, until your temper cools,
and your reason returns,
I suggest you leave.
- Your chambers, or Camelot?
- Whichever brings you to
your senses more quickly.
- Very well, my lord.
- [Guinevere] Sir Lancelot!
- Let him go.
- Is there any foundation to
his claims against Marhaus,
do you suppose?
- I can't afford to deal
in supposes, my dear.
This is a matter of principle.
Why do you stop?
- My lord.
[soft music]
[dramatic music]
[light flute music]
- What lovely country.
Marhaus?
- Yes, Angela.
- I said what a lovely kingdom Camelot is.
- It is indeed, my dear.
- I wish you could stay here longer.
Even after the tourney?
- Perhaps we shall, Angela.
- What do you mean by that?
- If Arthur should ask us, naturally.
- I sometimes have a
feeling that I don't know
exactly what you're thinking.
- [laughing] Oh, my
charming little sister,
that would be fatal.
- Are your thoughts so wicked?
- Indubitably.
- [laughing] As if I could believe that.
[Marhaus laughing]
- My lord.
- Well.
- In the valley there
our scout reports a fire.
- A fire?
- Only a knight, cooking his meal.
- [Marhaus] One of our men?
- No.
One of Arthur's, Sir Lancelot.
- There's a man we'd do well to detain.
- Shall I detain him?
- By all means.
[dramatic music]
[soft music]
[moves into tense music]
[dramatic music]
- Get up.
Give me his hands.
All right, bring him along.
- Sire, that same traveling
troubadour is here again.
Send him away, I'm not in
the mood for music today.
- Oh I am, he amuses me.
- Very well, my dear.
[Angela laughing]
- My lord, my lady.
- One short song now, we haven't all day.
♪ In your camp ♪
♪ There is a plot ♪
♪ To imprison Lancelot ♪
- What's he saying?
♪ In yon tent oh chained and bound ♪
♪ Lancelot is surely found ♪
- Enough!
You bore me.
- Lancelot?
From Arthur's Court?
- Guard, take him away.
Your harp is out of tune.
- There was nothing out
of tune about the song.
- A matter of opinion, my dear.
- I wish to see for myself.
- See what, Angela?
- I don't quite know yet.
Who is this knight?
- Lancelot of the Lake, my lady.
- What does this mean?
- Milady, I shall explain.
- Why has Sir Lancelot been put in prison?
- Yes, why indeed?
- But sire.
- I send you after a common poacher
who's been stealing our sheep,
and you return with King
Arthur's favorite knight.
- Well, but I was simply-
- No buts about it, release him at once.
A thousand apologies Sir Lancelot
for the stupidity of this knight.
I trust you'll forgive this blunder.
Perhaps I can persuade you to
stay and dine with us tonight.
- It would please me if you would.
- Then it would please me too.
- My lord, I don't understand-
- Sh.
Our land is divided into many kingdoms.
Each one ruled over by ambitious men.
It's sheer wishful
thinking on Arthur's part
to imagine that he could even lull them
into believing in a unity.
I, for one, am realistic.
The overpowering factor
of our day is land, power.
The more land you have, the more power.
- But acquiring new lands
means constant warfare.
- Only till our individual
ambitions are satisfied.
- And who's to decide that?
- He who holds the reigns of power.
- I disagree with everything you've said.
- Your privilege.
You see here, unlike Arthur's Court,
a difference of opinion does
not constitute a major breech.
- Then you know I quarreled with Arthur.
You know why?
- I have ears.
- And yet you entertain me as your guest.
- What better way to prove how unfounded
are your suspicions of me?
Be at ease, Sir Lancelot,
enjoy yourself here.
And tomorrow perhaps you'd care to join
my knights at practice jousts.
- Yes, of course.
- Sir Lancelot, why do
you distrust my brother?
- His opposition to King
Arthur is well-known.
- But surely two kings
can differ in opinion
and yet remain friendly.
- Even when one of them is
an ambitious philanderer
as your brother?
- He may be ambitious,
but he would never stoop to treachery.
- He is your brother, Lady Angela.
- I have known him longer
than you, Sir Lancelot.
- But better?
- You are a strange and
discourteous guest, sir.
[soft music]
[dramatic music]
- Sir Lancelot!
Well, you going to join us?
- By all means but I have no shield.
I left it at your armorer's.
- Well there are plenty in
our store tent, help yourself.
- [Guard] Oh, sir knight.
Give us the password.
- King Marhaus said I could
have one of his shields.
- Oh, well in that case, help yourself.
Anything you want on
that side of the tent,
but don't come over this side.
- Why?
- Because I've got cider here.
It's made from Camelot apples.
They're fermented over night.
It's better than all the ale in Mercia.
- Oh let's have a taste then.
- Keep your distance.
- Come on, if it's as good as you say
I'll get you some more.
- Oh, you will?
- Yes, I know the Camelot orchards well.
- You do?
All right then, just a swallow of mine.
[guard groaning]
[swords clanking]
- But sire, why didn't you let
me k*ll him that first day?
- I don't want to commit any act
that Arthur might consider unfriendly.
- Well, I'd feel much happier
if we were rid of him.
He's been spying around here too long.
- It'll do him little good once he's dead.
- Dead?
But you said that we-
- I said I wanted him to come
to no harm here intentionally.
It is quite possible for
him to suffer, shall we say,
a fatal accident on the practice field.
- Ah-ha, ah-ha-ha.
- Go and instruct the others accordingly.
- With pleasure.
[swords clanking]
♪ Lancelot shall meet his death ♪
- Are you sure of this?
- One can never be sure, my lady.
- I can't believe it, I won't.
- Have I ever sung a false song, my lady?
- No.
- Then go, quickly.
[swords clanking]
- Stop.
Have this outrage stopped immediately.
- It's only practice, my dear, all in fun.
- But Lancelot will be k*lled.
- You alarm yourself unduly, Angela.
- Call an end to this at once.
- Very well, my dear.
Enough!
Even in practice, my men have
a tendency to be over-zealous,
I'm sorry, Sir Lancelot.
- I have seen you control your knights
when you wish to do so.
- Had there been any real danger my dear,
I'd a put a stop to it at once.
After all, I was watching.
Sir Grint.
[dramatic music]
[soft music]
- You saved my life, Lady Angela.
- My brother places too
much trust in his knights.
They sometimes get out of hand.
- Perhaps that's what he intends.
- What are you suggesting?
- He meant to k*ll me, just
as he means to k*ll Arthur.
- How can you think such a thing?
- If you weren't so blinded
by love for your brother,
you'd... [sighs]
- Lancelot.
- I must warn Arthur.
- There's nothing to warn him against.
- Look, if you won't believe me,
perhaps you'll believe your own eyes.
Over there in that store tent,
there are crates of weapons
that your brother and his men
intend to use in today's tourneys.
Each of them is as sharp
as a tiger's tooth.
And those are the weapons they will use.
- I can't believe it.
- Then go and look for yourself.
- I shall.
[tense music]
Take that lantern to my tent.
- I can't leave my post, my lady.
- Do you question my orders?
Do as I say.
[tense music]
[dramatic music]
[sword clattering]
[people chattering]
- Sire.
- Well what worries you now, Merlin?
- Lancelot is not here.
- Naturally not, he went off in a temper.
- Evil has befallen him.
- That's not what I hear.
They tell me he now stands
at the right hand of Marhaus.
- Of the princess Angela perhaps,
but King Marhaus has threatened his life
more than once already.
Otherwise Lancelot would be
here in the tourneys today.
- Lancelot has little
interest in tourneys anymore,
or in Camelot.
- Only because he suspects
Marhaus of treachery.
- You too.
I shall put an end to
this malicious gossip
about Marhaus once and for all.
Sir Claude.
Go to King Marhaus with a
personal message from me,
and say that in absolute
evidence of good will.
I myself will meet him
in friendly combat today.
- My lord.
- You and Marhaus?
- A mere sporting competition.
Our swords are blunted.
- Yours is, but his-
- You saw for yourself,
in our own armorer's tent.
Every sword, blunt as a paddle.
- I don't know.
- But I do.
- Ah, so you've returned.
- Sire, I hear you're to enter the tourney
against Marhaus today.
I beg you not to.
- Are you starting that nonsense again?
- Sire, you must not fight today.
This time I bring absolute
proof of Marhaus' treachery.
- Lancelot, don't waste my time.
Lady Angela.
[people chattering]
[horn blaring]
- Here ye, here ye, here ye.
Before the tourney shall commence,
it is hereby proclaimed
that King Arthur of Camelot
and King Marhaus of Mercia
will engage in friendly combat.
- When I strike the mortal blow at Arthur,
that'll be the signal for the att*ck.
[dramatic music]
[swords clanking]
[swords clanking]
- The king looks magnificent.
- Thank you, my dear.
- Who are you?
- Then who's that upon the field?
- Do you mean to say your
articles do not inform you?
- Well, I ah-
- Nevermind, I'll tell you.
It is a knight to whom I owe a boon.
"Let me," he said,
"wield your sword today,"
and I could not refuse him,
it being Lancelot.
- Lancelot?
[dramatic music]
[swords clanking]
[swords clanking]
[person thudding]
[swords clanking]
[dramatic music continues]
[swords clanking]
- Lancelot.
- Shall we discuss power now, Marhaus?
- Where is the king?
My Lord Arthur.
- Lady Angela.
- Please order Sir Lancelot
to spare my brother.
- If your brother is spared,
what guarantee do we have
of his future actions?
- I will convince him of his error.
He listens to me, we are very close.
Please spare him, King Arthur.
[soft tense music]
- Sir Lancelot.
- You have King Arthur and
your sister to thank, not me.
- My lord.
- Ah, Lancelot.
- Welcome back, Lancelot.
This is a happy day.
- My lady.
Where is Lady Angela?
- She went off to join her brother.
- I must speak to her.
- She's very devoted to Marhaus, you know.
- [chuckles] Yes, that
may present a problem.
- A problem to Sir Lancelot
of the Lake, impossible.
- Ah, but this involves a lady, my dear.
- I'm sure Sir Lancelot will find a way,
will you not, sir knight?
- I'll try, my lady.
[Arthur and Guinevere laughing]
[soft music]
[adventurous music]
[uptempo music]
♪ Now listen to my story ♪
♪ Yes, listen while I sing ♪
♪ Of days of old in England ♪
♪ When Arthur was the king ♪
♪ Of Merlin the Magician ♪
♪ And Guinevere the queen ♪
♪ And Lancelot the bravest knight ♪
♪ The world has ever seen ♪
♪ In days of old ♪
♪ When knights were bold ♪
♪ The story's told ♪
♪ Of Lancelot ♪
♪ In days of old ♪
♪ When knights were bold ♪
♪ The story's told ♪
♪ Of Lancelot ♪
[light music]