Arthur (Nigel Terry) is a legendary hero destined to be king. Wielding the mythical sword Excalibur, Arthur must rely on the counsel of the wise wizard Merlin (Nicol Williamson) to protect him against the force of his evil sister, Morgana (Helen Mirren), and their wicked son, Mordred (Robert Addie), born of incest and magic. Directed by John Boorman. With Gabriel Byrne, Nicholas Clay, Paul Geoffrey, Patrick Stewart and Liam Neeson. Categories: Adventure, Fantasy. Year: 1981.
1981 in Excalibur
When a spy ship sinks at sea, James Bond (Roger Moore), the dashing British secret agent, is sent to recover a valuable encryption device from the wreckage of the ship. With the Soviet military desperate to get their hands on the equipment, Bond must find the device before the Soviets use it to take over the entire British navy. Directed by John Glen. With Lynn-Holly Johnson, Carole Bouquet and Julian Glover. Categories: Action, Adventure, Thriller, James Bond. Year: 1981.
1981 in For Your Eyes Only
Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is a professor of archaeology who travels the world hunting down priceless artifacts and treasures, while occasionally making it home in time to teach his classes at the university. In his first adventure, Indiana must retrieve the Lost Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis hand it over to Adolf Hitler, who plans on using its power to guarantee his global conquest. Directed by Steven Spielberg. With John Rhys-Davies, Paul Freeman and Ronald Lacey. Categories: Action, Adventure, Thriller. Year: 1981.
1981 in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Alone in the desert wasteland, Max (Mel Gibson) ekes out a solitary existence among the devastation of future Australia. When he stumbles upon a gasoline-rich enclave of civilians, he begrudgingly agrees to help protect them from a murderous bike gang eager to get their priceless supply of oil. Directed by George Miller. With Bruce Spence, Michael Preston, Max Phipps and Vernon Wells. Categories: Cult Classics, Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure. Year: 1981.
1981 in Mad Max 2
After hearing radical American journalist John Reed (Warren Beatty) give a lecture, writer Louise Bryant (Diane Keaton) flees her unhappy marriage to follow the Communist activist. After becoming involved in labor and political disputes in the US, the couple travels to Russia when John is assigned to cover the Russian Revolution. Inspired by the Communist victory, John and Louise return to the US, hoping to lead a revolution of their own. Directed by Warren Beatty. With Edward Herrmann, Jack Nicholson, Paul Sorvino, Maureen Stapleton, M. Emmet Walsh and Gene Hackman. Categories: Biography, Drama, Romance. Year: 1981.
1981 in Reds
John Winger (Bill Murray) has lost it all: his girlfriend, his job, his home and, most dramatically, his pizza. With nowhere to go but up, Winger convinces his friend Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis) to join the Army with him. In boot camp, Winger is a champion of the underdogs in his unit and an utter failure as a soldier. Using his wit and classless charm, Winger finds ways to make Army life bearable and ends up becoming an unlikely hero. Directed by Ivan Reitman. With John Candy, Sean Young, P.J. Soles and John Larroquette. Categories: Comedy. Year: 1981.
1981 in Stripes