Awesome / Merlin (1998)

• After Arthur has Merlin (and Lancelot) save Guinevere from the stake, Mordred continues his work to dissociate the lords from Arthur by portraying his father as a tyrant. Just as he calls for Arthur to be deposed Arthur strikes Mordred across the face, even though Mordred has supernatural strength and reflexes. Arthur is just a normal man, yet Mordred is visibly surprised.
  • Arthur's final battle with Mordred also qualifies, as the latter has Super-Strength and yet Arthur still beats him fairly.
  • The look of utter disbelief on Mordred's face when Arthur drives Excalibur through his black heart. It is deeply satisfying to see the perpetually smug look on Mordred's face be wiped off, for good this time.
• Merlin dispatching Vortigern, complete with this awesome one-liner:
  Vortigern: Are you going to use some of your magic on me, Merlin?
  Merlin: I'll kill you any way I can, Vortigern, but I will kill you.
• And then he not only shatters Vortigern's sword on Excalibur (resulting in a massive Oh, Crap! from the evil king) but uses but a single swing to crack the frozen river and suck him down into the icy waters. And that single stroke won the entire battle.
• Nimue gets one when she fearlessly confronts Vortigern and convinces him to set Merlin free, saving Merlin's life.
• Merlin's magical battles with Mab and the Great Dragon are quite well-done and thrilling. Special mention for the arrow-blocking shield Merlin materializes on his hand while Mab's arrows are flying at him, a very nifty special effect especially for its time and budget.
• Arthur drawing Excalibur from the stone counts in most adaptations, but this one goes the extra mile. While he is attempting to draw it, Mab uses her powers to turn it red hot. Despite burning his hands badly enough to draw blood, he doesn't let go and keeps pulling the blade. This may have been what helped convince the Rock of Ages that he was worthy of it.
  "THE SWORD. IS. YOURS."
• Don't forget how it came to be there in the first place. Seeing Uther was going to mis-user Excalibur to start a pointless war for his own lustful vanity, Merlin asked for it and promised to "cast a spell". Uther was misguided to believe Merlin was trying to aid him in his own quest, but Merlin jammed the sword into the Rock of Ages and asked him to hold onto it until "someone worthy" came along. Even with the Rock's cynical belief that he would be holding it forever, Merlin had at least removed the sword from being used for evil purposes.
  Uther: "You tricked me, Merlin!"
  Merlin: "Come now, I'm a wizard, that's my business."

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