Camelot

I have seen many performances of Camelot, and this is by far the best. I hope it will soon be released on DVD so everyone can enjoy this truly fabulous production! The "film" versions of Broadway musicals have always lacked the special feeling of "live theater"- but this production truly captures the unique feeling of the New York stage.

The opening includes beautiful glowing night-shots of Manhattan with the overture of Camelot, as if Manhattan was the legendary kingdom itself, and the Wintergarten is the palace. Behind the curtain is a lavish production with gorgeous costumes and sets. Better singing and acting with real emotion. In this version Guinevere and Lancelot are not portrayed as lust-driven traitor-friends... but quiet lovers who suffer greatly because they both love the King, and each other. It is passionate, sad, and shows the vulnerability with much grace. Not to mention, the comical lines are laughable in this version... unlike the movie musical. The joyful spots are truly memorable and funny. All-in-all the best version I have ever seen and the performances are wonderful. SO grateful this is finally out on DVD!!!!!

I love this Cable T.V. broadcast of "Camelot"! Richard Harris was outstanding and Meg Bussert was Beautiful! The singing far surpases the Original film version and the supporting cast is wonderful.Barry Ingam's Pellinore is a riot! Find this production if you can! Its not on Video yet!

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 Backus is evil personified as Mordred (His "7 Deadly Vitues' number is one of my favorite moments) 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 a lot,this Broadway production captured on tape is a gem to be treasured. To bad its not available on Video or DVD.

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