The latest classic tale to be dragged up to date by the BBC, the decision to revive Merlin as primetime entertainment was just about rewarded, even if it does manage to ride roughshod over history in the process.
For just as it did with its updating of Robin Hood for Saturday nights, the legend of Merlin has undergone something of an overhaul here, and sticklers for authenticity will have plenty to pick at. The occasional narrative bumps don’t help, either, and the special effects clearly leave it thirsting for a Doctor Who-like budget.
And yet, warts and all, Merlin really is quite good fun. The BBC has wisely wheeled in some experienced thesps to work alongside the likes of Colin Morgan in the title role, with Richard Wilson and Anthony Head happy to join in the fun. Don’t knock the aforementioned Morgan, though: he carries the show well on his young shoulders, and has a blossoming career ahead of him.
This DVD pack contains the first six episodes of Merlin, and they gradually introduce us to the land of Camelot, and the mysterious characters that lie within. They also offer a solid amount of rounded family entertainment, that sets the scene for an intriguing second half of the series. What’s more, there’s just enough here to suggest that young Merlin may have further adventures even beyond then. --Jon Foster
For just as it did with its updating of Robin Hood for Saturday nights, the legend of Merlin has undergone something of an overhaul here, and sticklers for authenticity will have plenty to pick at. The occasional narrative bumps don’t help, either, and the special effects clearly leave it thirsting for a Doctor Who-like budget.
And yet, warts and all, Merlin really is quite good fun. The BBC has wisely wheeled in some experienced thesps to work alongside the likes of Colin Morgan in the title role, with Richard Wilson and Anthony Head happy to join in the fun. Don’t knock the aforementioned Morgan, though: he carries the show well on his young shoulders, and has a blossoming career ahead of him.
This DVD pack contains the first six episodes of Merlin, and they gradually introduce us to the land of Camelot, and the mysterious characters that lie within. They also offer a solid amount of rounded family entertainment, that sets the scene for an intriguing second half of the series. What’s more, there’s just enough here to suggest that young Merlin may have further adventures even beyond then. --Jon Foster
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