In this video essay, I explore the various adaptation strategies employed by T.H. White in his mid-century fantasy classic The Once and Future King. Conceived as a modern retelling of Thomas Malory’s medieval prose epic Le Morte D’Arthur, the book effectively engages with its source material in a way that both preserves the enduring impact of the Arthurian legend and connects with modern readers.
SPOILER ALERT:
A few important plot points are covered. The general shape of the book’s story doesn’t stray too far from the original, so if you’re at all familiar with the story of King Arthur, there shouldn’t be any big surprises. All the same, consider yourself warned.
Sections:
00:00 Introductio...