Product Description

Experience Camelot’s "one brief, shining moment" as Lerner and Loewe envisioned it—live on a Broadway stage. Working at the top of his talent, Richard Harris heads an all-star cast in one of Broadway’s wittiest, most literate musicals, filled with memorable tunes. Recorded at New York’s historic Winter Garden Theatre in 1982, this production captures all the immediacy and intimacy of a live performance viewed from the best seat in the house.

Idealistic King Arthur longs to create a perfectly principled kingdom, but sees his dream undone by a tragic love triangle involving Queen Guenevere (Meg Bussert) and his best friend Lancelot (Richard Muenz). In this thoroughly engaging Tony®-nominated production, the medieval monarch’s vision—a place where "violence is not strength, and compassion is not weakness"—speaks to our time and for all time.

Recommended for family viewing by the National Education Association

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE original Broadway PLAYBILL® (DVD-ROM) and bios of Lerner & Loewe and Richard Harris.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15128 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-05-01
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 147 minutes

Amazon.com
A live-on-stage performance filmed for HBO in 1982, Camelot returns Richard Harris to the role he immortalized on film in 1967. Harris replaced the original King Arthur, Richard Burton, in this revival production as it was on its way to New York's Winter Garden Theatre, which turned out to be Harris' only role on the Broadway stage. Fifteen years later, he's an older and wiser Arthur, a little more world-weary but still with a twinkle in his eye. He's paired with Meg Bussert, whose Guinevere is not as beautiful as Vanessa Redgrave in the film, but a better singer and appropriately younger. Bussert, who was Tony-nominated for her role in Brigadoon the year before, sounds eerily like original Broadway star Julie Andrews at times. Richard Muenz (The Most Happy Fella revival) plays Lancelot, Barrie Ingham plays Pellinore, and Richard Backus is Mordred. Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's score is still a great classic, and here two songs cut from the movie are restored, "Before I Gaze at You Again" and "The Seven Deadly Virtues," but inexplicably cut is "Then You May Take Me to the Fair." Not surprisingly the production has a more stagebound feel compared to the sumptuous feature film, but it's good to have a more faithful version of the show available on DVD. --David Horiuchi

Connecticut Post
The charm of the story and the great score should keep most people watching right up to the sure-fire tear-jerker finale.

Los Angeles Family Magazine
It is an enchanting video, and provides a wonderful viewing experience. This is pure entertainment!

Customer Reviews

One Brief, Shining Moment
In 1982, this television production of Lerner and Loewe's musical was considered by many critics to be the finest stage-to-TV transfer of a live Broadway performance. Now, 25 years later, it still is. The folks at HBO joined with the producers of the Broadway revival and videotaped the show with loving care, and their love is evident in every frame. The visual presentation and sound quality were light years ahead of most other such offerings, and it was shot and edited to perfection.

I saw this revival onstage, then on HBO, and it is something to see. Richard Harris and Meg Bussert were just right together, and the supporting cast was excellent as well. The sets, costumes, and lighting added to the beauty of the evening. And nothing can top the sheer emotion of the story--it is one of the most powerful musicals ever written. If you've never seen CAMELOT, or if you're only familiar with the 1967 film version (also starring Harris), don't miss this stunning production. Thanks, Acorn Media, for releasing it on DVD at last!

Finally !!!
Back in the early 80s, I recorded this HBO production of Camelot on my VCR. I still have the tape and would watch it if I had a functioning VCR. I am a musical theater junkie and this production of Camelot with Richard Harris by HBO in 1982 is so wonderful. HBO is finally releasing this production of Camelot, filmed on stage at the Winter Garden Theater in New York, on DVD. I have pre-ordered it and cannot wait to see it on DVD, as my VHS tape is getting a bit worn. Bravo HBO!!!!

Hurray!
Like S. Williamson, I recorded this production from HBO onto video tape 25 years ago and the tape is starting to wear from repeated viewings. I am so happy HBO had decided to release it onto something that I can finally watch over and over. I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys this story.