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Actors: Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave, Franco Nero, David Hemmings, Lionel Jeffries, Laurence Naismith
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Camelot |
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Arthur ("Wart") pulls Excalibur from the stone and becomes King of all England. He doesn't want to be King until his eyes befall Guinevere, his betrothed. He envisions a world where knights fight for right and creates the Round Table, which Lancelot joins after hearing about it in France. Lance is very arrogant and disliked by all but Arthur; Guinevere plots against him, but falls in love when his "miraculous powers" enable him to bring a fallen knight back from the dead. He too falls for her, and they fight their passion until they can no longer.
Arthur senses it and vows that he will stand by them. Mordred comes to Camelot, and turns the knights against Arthur and finally catches Lance and Jenny together; Lance escapes and rescues her at the stake. Mordred is Arthur's illegitimate son whom he had intended to recognize but couldn't bring himself to do. The movie ends with Arthur being forced to fight Lancelot, and just as he is falling into despair, a boy named Tom who stowed away tells of the tales of Camelot, might for right, and Arthur realizes it was not all for nothing; that Camelot will go on forever...
--Judy Wilkinson, Resident Scholar
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"Mythical" King Arthur (Richard Harris) is a self-proclaimed "bachelor," until his pre-arranged married to Lady Guinevere (Vanessa Redgrave). Lady Guinevere's Father presents Arthur with a wedding present (The Round Table), in order for Arthur to build his army of distinguished Knights. During recruitment, Lancelot (Franco Nero) immigrates from France to join Arthur's Kingdom. Soon after, Lancelot falls in love with Guinevere (even though Guinevere attempted to bed several of Arthur's Knights as she could, prior to seducing Lancelot). Hence, Arthur's marriage eventually breaks down. Arthur's half Brother, Mordred, plots a conspiracy to overthrough Arthur. In conclusion, Arthur prevails, with Merlin's guidance, although tarnished, but remains steadfast in his convictions to the Crown.
--Jeanne Fritsch, Resident Scholar
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This adaptation of the Broadway musical depicts the moral dilemma faced by a righteous and loving ruler (king Arthur) when he learns of the adultery of his wife (Guenevere) with his first knight and best friend (Lancelot). He believes in "might for right" and seeks the greater good rather than self gratification. A beautiful film with great moral and ethical lessons. Arthur is "real" in his hurting as a man, but must act as the noble King of Camelot in acting for what is best for all.
--debby, Resident Scholar
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King Arthur marries Guenivere, then gets the idea of making Britain a better place. Then along comes Lancelot. Then along comes Mordred. Then all heck breaks loose. This version of the King Arthur story has the most emotionally convincing love triangle between Arthur, Lancelot, and Guenevere. Adapted from the stage play which was based on the Novel "The Once and Future King."
--Zorikh Lequidre, Resident Scholar
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"Camelot," long a successful stage production, fails to transcend the media differences here and the Merry Month of May seems more like late November! Miscast as Arthur, Richard Harris (an excellent actor in his own right) fails to convince us that he's the "once and future king," and Vanessa Redgrave is equally unconvincing as Guenivere, although, personality-wise, she perhaps is closer in reality! Of course, the familiar stage tunes bounce about (new tunes were also enlisted--but do nothing to enrich the film). Still, it's difficult to destroy an Arthurian legend and this production isn't all bad. Just most of it!
--Bill Hobbs, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Camelot |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- middle ages
Job/Profession/Poverty Story?
Yes
Job:
- prince/king/queen/knight
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Age:
- 40's-50's
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- can talk to animals
Hair color?
- brunette (Brown)
Body type
- (man) muscular
Events of movie makes character more...
- sensitive
- sad
Ethnicity/Nationality
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- soggy whimpering jelly muffin
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Ethnicity/Nationality
- British
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 20%
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard wavey
Body type
- (man) skinny
Ethnicity/Nationality
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
Forest?
Yes
Misc setting
- castle
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Sex/nudity in movie?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references only
Any profanity?
- None
If lots of song/dance...
- lot of singing
- lot of singing and dancing
If soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Broadway musical
Is this movie based on a
- play
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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