This four-hour fantasy miniseries, elaborating on the Arthurian legend and filmed in England and Wales, offers a portrait of the wizard Merlin (
Sam Neill), following his life as a youth (Daniel Brocklebank) to his later conflicts with the evil Queen Mab (
Miranda Richardson) and his love for Nimue (
Isabella Rossellini), who is kidnapped by Lord Vortigern (
Rutger Hauer). Amid battles and displays of magic and mysticism (courtesy of London's Framestore and the
Jim Henson Creature Shop), Merlin strides the English countryside encountering Excalibur, the unbreakable sword, and a Camelot cast of colorful characters including the morphing manservant Frik (
Martin Short), Morgan le Fey (
Helena Bonham Carter), King Arthur (
Paul Curran), Lancelot (Jeremy Sheffield), and Guinevere (Lena Heady). Premiered April 26, 1998 on NBC. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide