Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

Audio:

• Featurette: Camelot: Falling Kingdoms (29:59 - in 1080P)

• 30-page Digi-book

• CD Sampler

Bitrate:

 

Description: The oft-told tales of Arthurian legend have always been fertile ground for art. With countless books, films and songs on the subject, there have been many interpretations of Merlin, the Knights of the Round Table, the glories of the kingdom of Camelot and the doomed love triangle of King Arthur, Lady Guenevere and Sir Lancelot du Lac. The musical Camelot, however, remains the most iconic. Consider the historical context of the piece. Originated for the stage in 1960, Camelot coincided with the presidency of a young John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was a big fan of Camelot; he identified with King Arthur and, according to the First Lady, she and the President would often listen to the soundtrack before going to bed at night. Tragically, and ironically, just as Arthur's rule lasted for one brief, shining moment, so did Kennedy's, and the press forever linked the two legendary leaders many hundreds of years apart. Camelot is emblematic of JFK and, as such, it is emblematic of an era.

***

Joshua Logan directs this lavish version of the Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe Broadway success with Richard Harris,... Vanessa Redgrave, and Franco Nero in the lead roles originally portrayed on Broadway by Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Robert Goulet. The musical, based on T.H. White's The Once and Future King, chronicles the legend of King Arthur (Richard Harris) and his tortured love affair with his queen Guenevere (Vanessa Redgrave). Arthur first encounters Guenevere, on the day of their wedding, in the enchanted forest surrounding Camelot. After the wedding, Arthur's bliss at his marriage to the lovely Guenevere prompts him to establish the Knights of the Round Table, a lofty order of chivalry in which all the member knights are bound by a desire the help the oppressed, keeping faith with trust and honor.

 

 

The Film:

In England long ago, King Arthur first encounters his bride-to-be, Guenevere, in the enchanted forest surrounding his castle at Camelot. Following their royal wedding, Arthur's happiness inspires him to establish The Knights of the Round Table, an order of chivalry in which all members will be bound by a common desire to aid the oppressed, keeping faith with trust and honor. A young knight, Lancelot Du Lac, journeys to England to join the order when Arthur's call reaches France. Brave and purehearted, Lancelot quickly becomes the most celebrated of all Arthur's knights. Guenevere at first resents his popularity, but after watching him apparently breathe life back into the body of a knight he has wounded in a jousting match, her scorn turns to admiration and ultimately to love. Despite their deep affection for Arthur, Guenevere and Lancelot become secret lovers. Arthur refuses to pay heed to the rumors circulating throughout his court and sends into exile all those who defile the names of Lancelot and Guenevere.

Excerpt from TCM located HERE

Image :    NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Camelot looks just wonderful on Blu-ray from Warner. I'd use the term 'brilliant' for much of the appearance. This was always a visually impressive film with some outstanding sets and now in 1080P seems to come to life especially compared to my old snapper-cased SD. Colors are definitely brighter and truer than SD could relate and contrast is deft with solid black levels and no noise. Camelot is a 3-hour film (with 'Overture' etc.) and the dual-layering exports an acceptable bitrate. This Blu-ray supports the film extremely well. I've never seen it look this good - big thumbs up on the visual-front.

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I though the DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3989 kbps sounded superb. There are both crisp separations and some subtle fidelity. I couldn't find a flaw at it - it easily surpassed by expectations and is a quantum leap ahead of the last DVD in this regard. The Lerner and Loewe songs are all so memorable - listed here: "I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight" (King Arthur); "The Simple Joys of Maidenhood" (Guenevere); "Camelot" (chorus & King Arthur); "C'est moi" (Lancelot); "The Lusty Month of May" (Guenevere & chorus); "Follow Me," "Children's Chorus" (chorus); "How To Handle a Woman" (King Arthur); "Take Me to the Fair" (Guenevere, Sir Lionel, Sir Dinaden & Sir Sagramore); "If Ever I Would Leave You" (Lancelot); "What Do the Simple Folks Do?" (King Arthur & Guenevere); "I Loved You Once in Silence" (Guenevere); "Guenevere" (chorus). It will get multiple play in my household with the sharp-as-a-tack musical numbers sounding incredible in lossless. Wow. There are optional subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

Extras :

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
I've said it before and I'll say it again - one of my 3 favorite musicals. What a great cast and wonderful turn on the classic myth. Camelot has some magnificent scenes and this is all the more impressive in 1080P. Lerner and Loewe add a brilliant soundtrack with uncompressed crooning by Harris + Redgrave - Franco Nero (Lancelot) was dubbed by Gene Merlino with the emotional "If Ever I Would Leave You". I am really keen on this film and have always wondered why the critical response is so... unenthusiastic. I'm scratching my head. Regardless, the Blu-ray does a super job - nice new supplements and a tremendous musical - one of the best, IMO. That is a big recommendation.   

Gary Tooze

April 18th, 2012

 

Coming out in Standard Blu-ray packaging on July 17th, 2012