The stage show captured the promise and hope of the early 1960s, the Kennedy Administration, and a peaceful future. By the time the film was released in 1967, a lot of that promise had dissolved. For me the film version is quintessentially 60s because of the casting of Franco Nero and Vanessa Regrave who both represent the freer, sexually charged aspects of the decade. Vanessa even reprises her undressed sex-kitten look in a bedroom scene with Richard Harris in the bath. Franco Nero's blue eyes are hard to resist (Ms. Redgrave didn't, they have a child together). And his chin could be used as his lance.
I've never seen this show on stage, so I can't comment on how the film differs from the stage show, but it feels very true to the original. The film blends its use of outdoor locations and indoor sets very well. The show is not without its challenges, though. It's long. It has too much exposition and manages not to introduce its villain Mordred until too late in the story-telling to create any real conflict.
I've often thought that Mordred gets short-shifted all around. His song "The Seven Deadly Sins" (not in the film version) is smart and funny. Doesn't that deserve some vocal follow-up? A duet? An "I'm defeated, but it doesn't matter" song? How about an "Oh, Mother get off my back" song? Well, Morgan le Fey doesn't appear in the film, so I guess that wouldn't work.
What was about casting other actresses to play roles originated by Julie Andrews? She owned the role of Gueneviere. It was written for her. Yet in the film, she is replaced by a woman who doesn't even sing for herself. I can understand Robert Goulet not being cast in the film. I actually like Richard Harris in the role and don't have a problem with him replacing Richard Burton. But Gueneviere? Was the vain, sexpot as portrayed by Redgrave how the role was conceived? Certainly the role is vain and a little self-absorbed. But I must believe that Andrews was more innocent and less Pirelli pin-up. Oh, well, maybe that's why Ms. Andrews bares all in the film SOB.
Camelot
Music by Frederick Loewe
Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Film by Warner Bros. released in 1967
Directed by Joshua Logan
Cast: Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Harris, Franco Nero, Lionel Jeffries
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