Blu-ray Review: Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave in Classic Musical ‘Camelot’

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CHICAGO – I’ve never been a huge fan of “Camelot” but I love musicals of this era (including a few Lerner & Loewe hits like “Brigadoon” and “My Fair Lady”) and I adore both Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave. So I approached the recent Blu-ray release hoping that the many years since I had last seen “Camelot” would improve the film. Sadly, it’s still not one of my favorites even if this is a strong HD release.

Blu-ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

“Camelot” is the latest Warner Bros. catalog film to get the booklet treatment, in which the film is upgraded to HD and, partially because it’s not been given any new special features, presented in new packaging that resembles a hardcover book. This is a release for true fans only, who will probably love the soundtrack sampler that includes “I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight,” “Camelot and the Wedding,” “How to Handle a Woman,” and “If I Ever Would Leave You — Love Montage.” Yes, the HD restoration is beautiful but the lack of new bonus material combined with the fact that this Lerner & Loewe hasn’t held up as much as others makes it a lesser title in the WB catalog.

Camelot was released on Blu-ray on April 24, 2012
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Synopsis:
The legend of King Arthur has enchanted generation after generation. His pure, perfect kingdom was shattered because of the tragic passion between Queen Guenevere and the Round Table’s bravest knight Lancelot. Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe shaped that saga into the 1960 musical Camelot. Seven years later the stage hit became a triple Academy Award winner with glowing performances by Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave, and Franco Nero and a glistening score. Experience anew the melodic romance of that “one brief, shining moment” known as Camelot.

Special Features:
o The Story Of Camelot
o The World Premiere Of Camelot
o Camelot: Falling Kingdoms
o Commentary By Stephen Farber
o 5 Theatrical Trailers
o CD Soundtrack Sampler With 4 Songs

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com