Camelot (TV 1982)

Part of the cable series "HBO Theatre", this is a videotaped presentation of the 1980 Broadway revival of the musical.

Director:

Marty Callner

Writers:

Alan Jay Lerner (play), Alan Jay Lerner (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard Harris, Meg Bussert, Richard Muenz

4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Richard Harris	...	King Arthur
Meg Bussert	...	Queen Guenevere
Richard Muenz	...	Lancelot Du Lac
Barrie Ingham	...	King Pellinore
James Valentine	...	Merlyn
Richard Backus	...	Mordred
William Parry	...	Sir Dinadan
Thor Fields	...	Tom Of Warwick
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jeanne Caryl	...	Nimue

Storyline

Part of the cable series "HBO Theatre", this is a videotaped presentation of the 1980 Broadway revival of the musical.

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Plot Keywords:

knight | sword fight | camelot | battle | king arthur | 

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Genres:

Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1982 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Winter Garden Theater - 200 Liberty Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

For this revival, Alan Jay Lerner used his screenplay for the 1967 film rather than his original 1960 stage play. The screenplay includes two scenes not included in the original stage play - the flashback structure seen at the beginning, and the sequence in which Arthur encounters Merlin while in the forest, followed by Mordred persuading King Arthur to stay in the forest.

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Quotes

King Arthur: The adage "blood is thicker than water" was invented by undeserving relatives.

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Connections

Version of Excalibur (1981)

User Reviews

Great- But not always best cast

Having been a fan of the Legend, book and film before hand, I was always going to have a bit of a treat when watching this, but i really did love it. The shows look is beautiful and captures the mood of the story almost perfectly throughout with as good a script the musical has ever had accompanied by some groovy stage effects.

I think its probably easyer and fairer to compare this to the Camelot experienced on stage in London and around the world a few months after filming (how it compares to the live experience) than to the film, which though also great was never going to be exactly the same as this rendition. On this account it comes out beautifully, it was the first time Camelot was turned into an effectual fairytale, and it really worked, adding a mythical quality that really strengthn'd it. The only negative slant i have on this plain, looking at both the film and London staging is how the cast is cirtainly a big weaker on some accounts in terms of performance. Richard Harris is absolutely brilliant as the kindly yet deeply troubled king torn apart by his wife and son. However, though perfectly acceptible, Meg Bussert is to me never really anything more. She is fair looking, and convincing enough, but you never really believe her Guinevere is worth tearing a kingdom apart over. Her voice is also a big operatic for me (though always note perfect) loosing any emotion in the more touching songs like 'before i gaze at you again'. Fiona Fullerton was definitely more suited in that sense. Muenz is also a little lacklustre in his portrayal of lancelot. Although the blind pride and arrogance is there, he really misses the charmming and charismatic side held by Franco Nero in the film, appearing a bit wooden in the emotional scenes. However, these, although a little upsetting, are only blemishes on this gleaming version which (also overlooking a completely OTT Merlin) displays the play in all the majesty and beauty once invisioned by Learner and Lowe.

Another compelling quality lies in how the play starts upbeat and very comic before stripping this slowly away until in the under three hours you spend watching it you get up thinking you've just witnessed a full blown arthurian tragedy.

Great Stuff, I believe its on DVD this month