The Most Underrated King Arthur Movie Ever Made: Quest for Camelot's United We Stand - The Knights of the Round's Intro by Dan

Introducing the Movie

Quest for Camelot is a gem of a movie that’s very beautiful. It covers topics such as honour, knighthood, noblesse oblige, and strikes to the core of what makes Arthuriana what it is, in a modern adaptation. It is actually based off of the novel “The King’s Demoselle”, which is itself based off the story of the Red knight, of the story “Lynette and Lyonesse”.

Lynette is a more snobby sort, but under disguise she goes and begs the Knights of the Round to aid her in saving her sister, the beautiful Lyonesse. Together, with the younger brother of Sir Gawain, Gareth, who wanted his own exploits starting from the bottom, he took up the role of a kitchen hand, and he was chosen to assist Lynette in her quest to save her sister. She isn’t exactly a paragon of heroism, as she starts off as a rather cold figure to Gareth, but warms up to him. The story gets confusing, as suddenly he falls deep for her sister, which she snaps him out of the spell with magic. Gareth is then knighted at the end of the story, and is stated to be a teen in that story.

He was Gawain’s favourite brother, and was squired by Lancelot, and was one of very few people who could match Gawain and Lancelot in tournaments and combats. Unfortunately, after Gwenevere is sentenced to death on grounds of treason, Gawain abstain from being present as it would conflict with his oaths as the Lady’s knight, however Gareth and another brother, Gaheris are killed by Lancelot, something deemed a grave betrayal, which leads to the death of Gawain as well.

Lynette is then married to Gareth’s brother, Gaheris, who killed Morgause, his own mother in a fit of rage, earning the ire of both his older brothers, Gawain and Agravain, the latter who would turn against his family himself. In the end, Gaheris would work to redeem himself and would die in Arthur’s service alongside his little brother, Gareth, with Agravain becoming more of an anti-hero at times, and a troubled sort himself. Not as much is known about their marriage though.

The Arthurian stories are really vast and are very good reads, but now we need to focus on the song that is called “United We Stand”.

The song starts with the knights travelling to Camelot. There are background lyrics being sung for about a minute before the lyrics start, but I’m having trouble figuring out the meaning behind them. Some claim they are from another song, others claim it’s the opening chorus of the song in Gaellic, and others claim it’s in English. If anyone knows, they can share their information with me in the comment section.

The music takes a lot of inspiration from Celtic folk music, with the flutes and the fiddle. This is common music from Scotland, Ireland, and even Canada. The stories of King Arthur do take root in Celtic stories, even if the English claim him for their own. A note that there is a lot of green in the background, as it creates that connection between the movie and the celtic origins of the story.

Knights: United we stand, now and forever in truth, divided we fall.

Hand upon hand, brother to brother no one, shall be greater than all.

The background lyrics blend into the knights starting the song in itself, which is reminiscent of the oaths shared among King Arthur’s knights, and it certainly sounds like it. We also see the three circles on the door to the keep, which is a symbol associated with the Celts. This is a Celtic Catholic symbol, associated with the Trinity. It also represents the natural forces of life.

We are also introduced to the young Gareth as a farmhand, also referencing the role that Sir Kay set him up as, not recognising who Gareth was in the myths. Here he does dream of being a knight, which is very consistent with his namesake in the myths, who was the kindest of the brothers.

We also see two banners, one that looks like a Bear’s paw, the other a bear’s head, This is a reference to the meaning behind Arthur’s name, which means “Bear”. It also references that Arthur was a bear of a man.

Arthur: It's been ten years we celebrate, all that made our kingdom great, liberty and justice for all.

Arthur tells us that it’s been ten years since Camelot was founded, and he has indicated principals. At face value, it’s ideal that he believes in justice and fairness. Looking at the terms in Gaelic, liberty would translate to “saoirse”, which is closer to being free of captivity and oppression. It’s also linked to freedom and independence from foreign powers. Arthur might be referencing this, as it might be closer to his traditional culture of Gaelic.

Justice on the other hand, didn’t just mean punishment, but compensation for the victim of the crime. The law was to foster wisdom and guidance in order to avoid needless bloodshed, to punish terrible acts, and to motivate positive behaviour to encourage good in the nation.

Merlin is also seen in Green robes, indicating the connection he has to nature, with the bird Ayden by his side, which guides Garett in the movie.This does indicate that Merlin did guide the heroes from the shadows, and caring for Garett from a distance.

Each of us, we now divide and equal shares our countryside promising equality for all reside!

Arthur demonstrates that he wished for everyone to have their rightful due for all those in his nation. He didn’t want abuses of power from those in the higher echelons of society, imposing responsibilities. There’s a reason why his knights are held in high regard. As for equality, historically it was patriarchal, but women had a lot of rights, such as ownership of property, and had the right to education.

Ruber sneaks in, without the knights aware that he is there, as he was not the best knight around. The ceremonial rituals are very vivid, as the swords are drawn, and sheathed in sheaths on the back of the chairs, in order to ensure that there would be no violence, as it would be harder to bring out their blades in the event of a violent disruption.

Liberty! Justice! Trust!

Chorus: Shall be greater than all.

Freedom! Peace! Honor!

Chorus: No one greater than all.

Goodness! Strength! Valor!

These are the virtues and values that Arthur and Merlin entrust to the Circle, and they are important to the knights. There may be some modern values in there, however, these are all values respected in the myths.

The knights bring up their shields that grant it a mirror effect, as if God is blessing their shields and the virtues they wish to represent, and it does seem a bit like a prayer, in hopes that the meeting come with peace and good intention.

Chorus: Shall be greater than-

Ruber: ME!!

Now Ruber ends the song insisting that he is owed his due, and the Knights are singing that the virtues are greater than them all, as it is an ideal they have to hold praise for.

The Knights lower their shields, with the outer side facing down, as if it were to demonstrate that they are claiming to be unworthy in the eyes of God, as if prostrating to God and the King. Sir Lionel is seen next to Arthur, as he is considered not just a knight, but a personal friend to Arthur.

Ruber’s shield is the only one that is facing upwards, saying that he does not follow the teachings of a knight, and is arrogantly challenging God, something that is considered rude and vain.

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Also Crown of Blood has a new edition, with maps, character bios and more!