Siege of the Saxons

About this Broadcast

King Arthur is betrayed and killed by one of his knights, who has formed an alliance with an invading Saxon horde and intends to seize the throne himself. However, the dead monarch's daughter is rescued by an outlaw, who seeks the aid of Merlin in ensuring the crown passes to her instead of the villainous usurper. Medieval adventure, starring Ronald Lewis, Janette Scott and John Laurie

1963 HD subtitles

Adventure Historical/Period Drama Movie/Drama

Cast & Crew

Ronald Lewis (Actor) .. Robert Marshall

Janette Scott (Actor) .. Katherine

John Laurie (Actor) .. Merlin

Ronald Howard (Actor) .. Edmund of Cornwall

Mark Dignam (Actor) .. King Arthur

Jerome Willis (Actor) .. Limping man

John Gabriel (Actor) .. Earl of Chatham

Michael Mellinger (Actor) .. Thief

Nathan Juran (Director)

More Information

Did You Know..

Ronald Lewis (Actor) .. Robert Marshall

Janette Scott (Actor) .. Katherine

John Laurie (Actor) .. Merlin

Born: March 25, 1897 in Dumfries

Best Known For: Playing Private James Frazer in Dad's Army.

Early-life: John Paton Laurie was born in Dumfries on March 25, 1897 to William and Jessie. After serving in the First World War, John trained to become an actor at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and landed his first stage role in 1921. Between 1922 and 1939, he played a number of Shakespearean parts at the Old Vic or Stratford-upon-Avon. During the Second World War, he served in the Home Guard.

Career: Laurie made guest appearances in a number of TV shows during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, including The Scarlet Pimpernel, Kidnapped, The Citadel, Steptoe and Son, Z Cars, Emergency Ward 10 and The Avengers. In his best known role, he played pessimistic undertaker and Home Guard soldier Private James Frazer in the hugely popular BBC sitcom Dad's Army. The show ran from 1968 until 1977 and remains popular today with modern audiences. His film credits include Henry V (1944), Treasure Island (1950), Richard III (1955), Dad's Army (1971), One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing (1975) and The Prisoner of Zenda (1979). He died from emphysema at the age of 83 on June 23, 1980. His ashes were scattered at sea.

Quote: "We're doomed, I tell ye!"

Trivia: Laurie was one of the storytellers on BBC children's series Jackanory.