Camelot

Given that Joshua Logan's 1967 film adaptation of Lerner & Loewe's 1960 Broadway musical detailing the romantic triangle involving King Arthur, Queen Guenevere, and Sir Lancelot is widely regarded as disastrous, it's nice to have an alternative. Originally shown on HBO, this 1982 filming of the Broadway revival starring Richard Harris (who also played Arthur in the feature film) is hardly a great production—then in his early 50s, Harris was not only too old for the King (Richard Burton was 35 when he originated the role), but he also overacts and under-sings (some wags of the time called the show Hamelot). But Meg Bussert is a good Guenevere, and Richard Muenz an even better Lancelot. The sets and costumes aren't opulent by current Broadway standards, but they're acceptable, and television director Marty Callner varies the camera setups nicely to avoid a stagy feel (though the Superman-like opening credits are jarring). Of course, the score remains wonderful, and this DVD allows one to savor the alternately witty and dramatic parts of Lerner's book without having to suffer through Logan's bad cinematic choices (even if the 25-year-old sound is only adequate, Dolby Digital stereo notwithstanding). But ultimately one wishes all the more that even a blurred kinescope of the original with Burton and Julie Andrews had survived. DVD extras include production notes by Bussert, text bios of Harris and Lerner & Loewe, and a copy of the 1981 Playbill. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (F. Swietek)