A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1989 TV Movie) User Reviews (5)

Not suitable for people with refined taste

[johannesaquila · 5/10 · 2 November 2021]

This is a children's movie. Unfortunately it's one of those that use their target group as an excuse for deficits such as poor dialog and poor acting which supposedly don't matter when a film is 'only' for children. This is really a pity because there are a lot of good ideas here that I would have liked to see executed properly. The sets and costumes are also nice.

Maybe the original reason for this film's existence is a pun? In any case, the Connecticut Yankee in this film isn't a late 19th century blacksmith but Karen, a late 20th century 12-year-old black girl played by Keshia Knight Pulliam, known from the Cosby Show.

The film is full of interesting ideas that I think are original, such as Karen falling from a horse after school, and bringing a Polaroid camera with her rather than matches. But for me it is spoiled by people constantly behaving in totally implausible ways and the actors not even trying to make their weird behavior believable. A lot of the dialog just doesn't make sense.

A great movie for everyone!

[rainstorm159 · 16 March 2003]

I first saw this movie when i was about 10, and loved it. Although it doesn't have any big special effects, the movie doesn't need it. The plot may sound a little dull, but the actors portray each character very well. Rene Auberjonois, who plays Merlin adds humor to the movie and Hogo Blick, who plays Mordred, is simply evil, yet you have to like him. Whip Hubley (Lancelot) i think did the best job of all. He is so sweet and courageous, that you cant help but to adore him. Overall this movie is a enjoyable and funny adventure for all ages.

Cheesy, but fun. Don't compare to the book.

[bailiffquimby-30286 · 8/10 · 21 January 2019]

So long as you go into it recognizing that it has virtually no resemblance to the Twain novel of the same name, and that this film is clearly made for kids, it is enjoyable. And wth Rudy from the Cosby Show, the Dad from Family Ties, and Odo from Deep Space Nine, there's plenty to amuse parents as well.

Fun, with memorable characters

[ZoeBean · 18 January 2001]

This was one of my favorite movies when I was younger. My brother and I (I was 9, he was 7) adored it and watched it repeatedly. It was so simply, yet perfectly done -- it took the classic book and turned it into a modern-day tale, but it didn't try to be a classic itself. It just tried to be funny, and it succeeded. The is the story of Karen, who finds herself in Camelot and impresses everyone with her "magical" twentieth century contraptions, and makes everyone call her Sir Boss. She's a sweet kid, and very eighties, but she's one of the best things in the movie. But I can't not mention the supporting actors -- without them, this movie wouldn't be quite the same. Hugo Blick, who plays Mordred, just LOOKS like an evil villain, and the lines he delivers are so corny and so, just, evil villainy, that you KNOW you should hate him but you secretly like him. And Whip Hubley, who plays Lancelot, is attractive and lovable. Emma Samms plays the Queen Guenevere with lightheartedness and beauty. The movie is rarely boring; there's one adventure after another. Fun for kids, and a decade later, I still think it's funny.

A suprisingly fun movie!

[elleeeeeeeee · 20 March 2023]

This movie was really fun! It wasn't the most amazing movie ever, but the protagonist was likable and felt like a real person, which isn't super common in '80s movies with younger stars. Her lines felt organic, and she had some genuinely funny moments. Honestly, funny is a pretty good summation of the whole movie! The storyline isn't super complex, there are plenty of things that happen just for plot convenience, and it's definitely geared toward a younger audience, but if you're willing to go in with an open mind, you'll really enjoy this movie!

If you've read the original Mark Twain book this movie is based on, you'll know this adaptation exchanges an older white man from the 1800s for an African American tween girl from the 1980s. It kept nearly all of the best parts, and made the references a lot more understandable for me. I'm sure I still missed a bunch since I am not from the '80s, but I didn't have to google every five minutes, so I'm counting it as a win. The ending felt a bit cheap, but I didn't love the original ending either, and this one left me less angry. Once again, a win!