Part I: Merlin tells his story as an elderly man – he describes a Britain faced with invasions and tyrant kings, and of Fairy Queen Mab who sought to reclaim her power by drawing people back to worship The Old Ways. To do so, she created Merlin to champion her crusade. Merlin's mother dies giving birth to him, and he is raised by his guardian, Ambrosia. He later discovers that Mab let his birth mother die and he swears to use his powers only to defeat Mab. Years pass, and when Mab uses her powers to make Uther obsessed with Igraine, Merlin can see his degenerative madness and the risk of Britain sliding once more into war. He tricks Uther into handing over the sword Excalibur and strikes a deal with Uther that in return for bedding Igraine, Merlin will take their first born, Arthur…

Part II: Merlin tutors Arthur, and the suicide of Uther causes a battle for the kingdom – yet none can draw the sword from the stone...except Arthur. The nobles unite behind him but Mab is ever ready to make trouble, by infatuating Morgan Le Fay with love for Arthur and seducing him – and he is not aware they are half-siblings… Arthur marries Guinevere and Mab takes Morgan’s child, Mordred, to raise in evil so he may bring about Arthur’s downfall...Also stars Helena Bonham Carter, Rutger Hauer; James Earl Jones and Martin Short.  https://cosmiccauldronbooks.com.au/products/dvd-merlins-apprentice-sam-neill-miranda-richardson-john-reardon