If there is a better movie that is as splendid escapism as this one I haven't found it. However, the film does drag a lot, not only because the pace is disappointingly pedestrian, but Joshua Logan's direction is very stodgy. There is even a section--the comically disastrous, very first meeting of Guenevere and Lancelot--in which offscreen court musicians are heard playing on mandolins, whereas previously this scene was acted without music. Richard Harris stars as King Arthur, with Vanessa Redgrave as Queen Guinevere and Franco Nero as Sir Lancelot. It is far better to be alive than dead. A fine director of drama but with no skill at setting the right tone for a musical although that didn't stop the studios from handing him several throughout the years ending with the disaster of Paint Your Wagon. Where are aII those adoring, daring boys? ", I Can't Disagree With the NaysayersBut I Couldn't Get That Serious, Lavish, with a marvellous score, but it does drag in spots and some of the singing wasn't great. The past is all I have. despite her conflicted emotions. The world is bright, And aII is right, And Iife is merry and gay Guinevere And he's French. You'II sling me over your shoulder and carry me off! Relive the romance. When Arthur's illegitimate son Mordred (David Hemmings) devises a plan to get Arthur out of the castle and the knights into Guenevere's room to trap the clandestine lovers, 'Jenny' and 'Lance' are found out even as they're pledging to part in order to honour their love and loyalty to Arthur. He thought Richard Burton was a very distracted, absent-minded King. Does Franco Nero live in Italy? No, not might is right. Guenevere They previously played the brothers "Cain" and "Abel" in The Bible: In the Beginning (1966). According to his son Jared Harris, after filming wrapped, Richard Harris was asked where King Arthur's crown went. In real life, Redgrave and Nero met and fell in love in 1966 on the set of the movie musical "Camelot." She was playing Guinevere and he was playing the brave knight Lancelot. King Arthur Scotland. Official Sites "[42] The Monthly Film Bulletin of the UK wrote, "A dull play has become an even duller film, with practically no attempt at translation into the other medium, and an almost total neglect of the imaginative possibilities of the splendid material embodied in the Arthurian legend. In the case of Camelot's infamous failure, it has as much to do with the time period when it was released as it does with the lousy, overlong, bloated, neverending script. (1966) in which Redgrave came across as a "ravishing bitch" which was Logan's ideal for Guenevere. For the general wide release, the film was truncated to 150 minutes.[33]. : [6] However, development was placed on hold when Warner Bros. fast-tracked a film adaptation of the musical My Fair Lady, for which they acquired the screen rights from CBS for $5.5 million. One of the reviews I once read of this marvellous film dismissed it as 'kohl and overacting'. The British actor began her career in 1958 per IMDb, and led numerous novel and play. Camelot, which was made in 1967.. OK let's interrupt here and ponder that. I liked Richard Harris as Arthur because he has the look of a medieval king. He also annoyed Jack L. Warner by insisting on singing the musical numbers live, instead of lip-syncing. In the end, the costumes are the true stars of this 'Camelot'. Unfortunately this film wavers between taking itself too seriously and trying on some level to procure fantasy. This is the first time in a month that he's not coming to dinner and not having him makes it seem like a party! : Who are you? They also worked together in "A Quiet Place In The Country", and then in Letters to Juliet (2010), as lovers who found each other after years apart. Lancelot's prowess impresses Arthur, and they become friends; however, many of the knights instantly despise Lancelot for his self-righteousness and boasting manner. King Arthur of England knights prodigious jouster Lancelot, who has seemingly brought his deceased opponent back to life, vaguely aware that wife Lady Guenevere has fallen in love with the handsome hero; meanwhile, Arthur's illegitimate son Mordred schemes to bring down the fellowship of the Round Table. Such is the stuff of film scenes. They made the right casting choice for the movie. Julie Andrews was asked to reprise her stage role of Guenevere. Hmm. How dare you insuIt me in this fashion? As King Arthur prepares for battle against his former friend, Sir Lancelot, he reflects on the sad circumstances which have led him to this situation. Guinevere King Arthur I swear by the sword ExcaIibur, I won't touch you. : He Ieaps to death in woe for me, Oh, where are a maiden's simpIe joys? King Arthur The Alcazar de Segovia, with its mansard roofs and numerous turrets reminiscent of Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty's castle, was used for Sir Lancelot's home in Gaul (France). Featured here in this rendition of this popular and esteemed musical are actors and actresses who brought Camelot to rave heights. Guinevere [17], Although the studio initially sought a Frenchman, Italian actor Franco Nero was cast as Lancelot based on recommendations from Harris and John Huston, who worked with Nero on The Bible: In the Beginning (1966). Julie Andrews didn't want to work with Richard Harris. Arthur knights Tom and gives him his ordersrun behind the lines and survive the battle, so that he can tell future generations about the legend of Camelot. At the time, Burton was co-starring with then wife Elizabeth Taylor in a succession of films (The Taming of the Shew, Faustus, Boom!). Everyone will want to join! A bit muddled in the execution, but saved by the marvellous music! Franco Nero's singing was dubbed by Gene Merlino of the group The Mellowmen Quartet. The plot of illegitimate Mordred to gain the throne and Guinevere's growing attachment to Sir Lancelot, threaten to topple Arthur and destroy his "round table" of knights. You think of it? It is an arranged marriage, and he is afraid of what lies ahead ("I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight"). Don't say it, Ma'am. The effect of Merlin's glowing eyes were accomplished through the use of mirrored contact lenses, their first use in a feature film. He's French! You simply MUST see CAMELOT. Nepotism is a difficult thing to overcome. She finds herself drawn to him, but they are interrupted by his men and her entourage. tragic and inspiring film adaptation.well done. CAMELOT CAST Lyrics by Camelot on camelotcastlyrics Soundtrack. King Arthur : Must we talk about Mordred? Good, but there's more than a hint that it could have been much better. Richard Harris .. King Arthur Vanessa Redgrave .. Guenevere Franco Nero .. At the time, Redgrave was performing in the stage play The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie so Logan had to wait several months for her availability. Plenty of headaches and problems cropped up during filming. William Johnson, writing in the journal Film Quarterly, noted that "some of Arthur's speeches could be applied directly to Vietnam," such as Arthur's "Might for Right" ideal and repeated musings over border lines. The plot of illegitimate Mordred to gain the throne and Guinevere's growing attachment to Sir Lancelot, threaten to topple Arthur and destroy his "round table" of knights.The story of the marriage of England's King Arthur to Guinevere. It made him a very rich man. How to Handle a Woman. Some of the costumes are truly amazing and justly famous but this can be a trial to sit through. Relive the magic. Harris later hired cinematographer Nicolas Roeg to direct his screen test, which impressed Logan and Warner, who both agreed to hire him. : While filming Hawaii (1966), Richard Harris learned of Camelot and actively sought the role. Here we are again in the Lusty Month of May One of the Best Broadway to Hollywood Film Scores, Marred by Sledgehammer Direction, This Round Table Is as Square as They Come. They also worked together in "A Quiet Place In The Country", and then in Letters to Juliet (2010), as lovers who found each other after years apart. I first saw it in 1967 when it was released. "[23], In September 1966, shooting commenced on location in Spain intended for a 30-day shooting schedule. You become acutely aware that you are watching a movie. I don't worry about the future, we have none. There are memorable songs, such as "If Ever I Should Leave You," "What Do the Simple Folk Do?" Might for right Might for right! I liked the look of this film. [31] Retrospectively, Alice Grellner suggested the movie served as "an escape from the disillusionment of Vietnam, the bitterness and disenchantment of the antiwar demonstrations, and the grim reality of the war on the evening television news" and reminder of John F. Kennedy's presidency. As he left with his guests, he whispered out of the corner of his mouth to the two actors, "This bar is now closed.". Camelot opts for having Arthur (Richard Harris) skip through an icy forest on a soundstage, clinging to fairylit boughs and singing about being scared of girls. Is Liam Neeson related to Vanessa Redgrave? [50] As a result, Camelot was the last American film that attempted to physically construct a large-scale full-size set on a studio backlot to represent an exotic foreign location. Guinevere The sale was finalized on November 27, which totaled to approximately $32 million in cash. King Arthur I've never liked Camelot (I don't know why I even own it), especially when they passed over Julie Andrews in favor of a bad singer for the part of Guinevere. Although I am not a big fan of medieval movies to begin with, I decided to give it the old college try. In the 1980s, the backlot castle was torn down to make room for an office building. (1966). It stars Richard Harris as Arhur and Vanessa Redgrave as Guinevere, two great British actors, but not really the type of actors you would see in a musical such as this. : By the late 60's, musicals might have still be thriving on Broadway, but movie musicals weren't doing the bang up business at the box office that they used to. Vanessa Redgrave has had a tragic year. You could defend me all over the world in France and England, Mongolia. Does your ladyship not realize that this forest is crawling with outlaws and dragons? Proposition. [singing] Lionel Jeffries was 40 when he played the elderly King Pellinore. Jack L. Warner initially refused to let Joshua Logan film in Europe, demanding that the whole production be filmed on the studio backlot. Playing for Time was based on Fnelon's experience as a female prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp, where she and a group of classical musicians were spared in return for performing . For Camelot itself, the Coca Castle, also in Segovia, was used in long shots and background shots to depict the towers and battlements of Arthur's legendary kingdom. It was Vanessa Redgrave's idea to do the song, "Take Me to the Fair", in a constantly changing setting with new backgrounds and costumes for every change of verse, to show the passage of time. Music by Frederick Loewe. Guinevere : Hmm. Guinevere Suppose we create a new order of chivalry? Guinevere and Lancelot meet in secret to discuss their future. Arthur doesn't meet him until later in the film. Despite his vows of celibacy, Lancelot falls in love with Guenevere. Well, the whole idea is that by singing it in French we're making more of a joke of him." Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero met while making this film and soon afterwards (amidst many lurid headlines) had a child together. Might. I will take one of the large rooms in the castle, put a table in it, and all the knights will gather at it. [singing] : : King Arthur : I will smash and mash him! Guenevere's plan goes awry as Lancelot easily defeats all three, critically wounding Sir Dinadan. ** from ****. [31] Bosley Crowther of The New York Times called Redgrave "dazzling" but criticized the film's conflicting moods and uncomfortable close-ups. It was used extensively in Kung Fu (1972). Miscast; sumptuously void of everything but costumes and set trappings, A mixture of quality and technical ineptitude that is simultaneously entertaining and disorienting, Best Musical in the history of Musicals. no joke. [34] Camelot will be released in Ultra HD Blu-ray on November 9, 2022, by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Vanessa Redgrave (with a whopper-crop of hair) enacts Guenevere with a slight sneer and a faraway look in her eyes; Richard Harris doesn't create romantic sparks with her, though he does fine with his soliloquies and wears his crown well. It has so many scenes that live in the memory as I write, not having revisited the movie for quite some time. : [50] To ensure authenticity, American filmmakers resorted to location shooting ever since for exterior shots. Relive the drama. I once read it was really the showcase/product of the costumer who was a nobody with few credits shoved ahead of time into the film by his wealthy boyfriend. Director Joshua Logan was taken with the idea of casting Vanessa Redgrave after viewing Morgan! Camelot isn't all that great on stage either. This was the cut 2 1/2 hour version that played general release. He can remember the - future, so he can teII you what you'II be doing in it. As for the music? For Camelot, Kline wanted to shoot the film in a more authentically textured style rather than the polished look of Hollywood musicals. To star in "Camelot" Vanessa Redgrave passed on the lead role in Petulia (1968), her husband: director Tony Richardson, advising Redgrave that "Camelot" would be a stronger career-builder for her. Talk across it. Guinevere Guenevere Oh yes, Ginny. It is also called a Sword of Justice. Robert Goulet, who played Lancelot in the stage version, played King Arthur in a touring stage reprisal two decades later. A lumbering screen version of the hit Broadway musical. Vanessa Redgrave burst into tears, and announced that she'd never work with Harris again. He knocked you unconscious. Might for right. Richard Harris is quite simply magnificent as arthur,the best actor to play the role on stage or screen. The studio was initially reluctant, due to her left-wing activism, but Logan negotiated for her casting until after she fulfilled her stage commitments. where are you these days? In later years, Richard Harris bought the rights to the stage version of "Camelot" for $1 million, revamped the musical, and took it on tour. Being stuck at home for a few months, I resolved to watch all my old VCR's and then get rid of them. You'll give him trouble? Of course it is pure fantasy but that's the point. The plot of illegitimate Mordred to gain the throne and Guinevere's growing attachment to Sir Lancelot, threaten to topple Ar Read allThe story of the marriage of England's King Arthur to Guinevere. franco nero is mis cast as lance ,even his dialoge was dubbed!! I won't do any such thing. Do my Iooks repeI you? Burton played King Arthur in a 1980 touring revival of "Camelot", to make up for his prior decision. All in all, worth watching, but with more secure pacing and a perhaps better director, no offence to Joshua Logan, this could've been better. He's the wisest man aIive. The song "Follow Me" with completely rewritten lyrics is sung by a chorus during the last of the scenes with Merlin. [3][4] That same month, it was reported that Rock Hudson had signed on to portray King Arthur. "[43] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Camelot holds an approval rating of 41%, based on 17 reviews with an average rating of 6.23/10.[44]. : The two lovers went their separate ways but remained close.
