Camelot (1982) (TV)

Director:

Marty Callner

Writers:

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

Release Date:

26 September 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Musical

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Broadway Musical | Filmed Play | Arthurian Legend | King Arthur | England

Awards:

2 nominations

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

Runtime:

150 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

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

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.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Version of King Arthur (2004)

The Most Congenial Spot!

This 1982 Stage production of 'Camelot" as filmed for HBO is about as perfect an adaptation of the Lerner and Loewe musical as you will ever see. The set design and lighting captures the magic of the piece brilliantly. Richard Harris was born to play King Arthur and he is even better here than in the 1967 film version. Full of passion,wistful humor and majesty His performance borders of the Shakespearean. Meg Bussert is a perfect Guenevere,Pretty,impudent and later heartbreaking. Her singing voice is wonderful and is excellently used in the production. Richard Muenz makes Lancelot funny at every turn during his well delivered "Ces't Moi" number and has some masterful double takes,Later he is touching as the dream of Camelot unravels due to his infidelity with the Queen. Barrie Ingham is the epitome of the the comical King Pellinore and nearly steals every scene he is in.Richar dBackus is evil personified as Mordred (His "7 Deadly Vitues' number is one of my favorite monents) and James Valentine is a hammy and thunderous Merlyn.

Highlights of the production are Harris' touching "Hoe To Handle A Woman" Bussert's show stopping "Simple Joys Of Maidenhood" and The rousing 'Guenevere" chorus lead by William Parry's Sir Dinadin. Although I like the film version quite alot,this Broadway production captured on tape is a gem to be treasured. To bad its not available on Video or DVD.