MERLIN: THE RETURN
Year: 1999
UK: Peakviewing Transatlantic
Cast: Rik Mayall, Adrian Paul, Tia Carrere, Patrick Bergin, Craig Sheffer, Julie Hartley, Anthony Bishop, Byron Taylor, Jocelyn Broderick, Leigh Greyvenstein, Grethe Fox, Jennifer Steyn, Lynne White, Lee-Anne Liebenberg, Connie Giles
Director: Paul Matthews
Country: UK
UK: 90 mins
UK Certificate: PG for fantasy horror and violence
UK Release Date: 22 December 2000
Synopsis
In ancient times, the vast army of evil sorcerer Mordred (Craig Sheffer) brought the legendary King Arthur Pendragon (Patrick Bergin) and his Knights of the Round Table to their knees. In desperation, Merlin (Rik Mayall) the wizard used the immense power of Stonehenge to banish Mordred to the Netherworld. He then consigned Arthur and his Knights to a long, dark sleep: promising future generations that Arthur would be on-hand to save the world should Mordred ever escape to threaten it again.
Fifteen hundred years later, Merlin's spell is the subject of legend... and is weakening. Scientist, Joan Maxwell (Tia Carrere) is experimenting with the magnetic flows of the Earth, the precise source of Merlin's magic. She has made contact with Mordred and in return for his promise of power, she is using her knowledge to free the sorcerer from his prison.
Fourteen year old Ritchie Gould (Byron Taylor) is plunged into the age-old battle when his father dies and Ritchie's mother (Jennifer Steyn) moves them to her former home in England. When Ritchie arrives, Merlin's spell is already all but destroyed by Maxwell's meddling.
Arthur and his knights are awake, fifteen hundred years out of place, and Mordred is preparing to forge a dimensional gate to freedom. The only thing standing between Mordred and success are the ragged loyalties of Lancelot (Adrian Paul) and Guinevere (Julie Hartley) whom Merlin banished along with Mordred.
In a tale of myth, mythology, demons and duels spanning fifteen centuries, the forces of good and evil once more do battle. And at stake is the world, as we know it...
