It's hard to imagine anyone else as Arthur in this remarkable film. His voice and mannerisms; the agony and joy in his eyes as he brought life to this character. Couple that with an equally lovely work of genius by Loewe and Lerner...this is a classic among classics.
I was privileged to see Mr. Harris on stage in Camelot more than 30 years ago. He was a bit long in the tooth to be playing King Arthur then, but no one cared. All in attendance we're thrilled at seeing him perform and hearing him sing. What a genuine delight.
I was SO in love with Richard Harris, especially him in this role, oh, my what a handsome, beautiful voiced man. Got to actually SEE him in this show in Memphis in the late 80s. Awesome. Where oh where are the wonderfully romantic movies like this, today?
I took 500 high school sophomores to see Camelot in a multiplex theater when it first came out. We had been studying myths & legends in my English class. The girls cried, the boys hooted, but in general they were well behaved. The theater manager gave me 2 tickets so I could come back with my husband to HEAR it as well as see it! Saw it twice in one day because of that and began my love affair with Camelot. I saw Richard Harris on stage in it several times.
It's a long way from a mill in Ireland to Camelot but Richard Harris was perfectly suited to this great role. Together with Richard Burton and Peter O Toole Harris was one of a group of great actors, boozers and general rabble rouser's the likes of which will never be seen again. Great men, great storytellers, and they had such charisma they could say anything and get away with it. This movie more than made it's money back but it really was the making of Richard Harris financially. He bought the rights to the stage play and in a few years he became a multi millionaire with a private island in the Bahamas. He was the best King Arthur by far.
I fell in love (figuratively) with Vanessa Redgrave when I first watched Camelot in the theatre oh so many years ago. She is still one of my very favorite actresses. I love Richard Harris, too.
My wife and I watched the show in Minneapolis many years ago and we clearly remember that it didn't take long before it became clear that Mr. Harris was quite intoxicated. It was not free from being embarrassing, but it did create a great laughter when he and his future queen was on the stage together where she was pretending to hide behind some trees. As he was looking for her, a baby cried out in the audience which caused Harris to yell out: "Did you bring a baby, Guinevere?" THAT was the highlight and memorable part of the show.
Richard Harris is perfection in this role. How it brought memories back. I often think of the wonderful films that we had then and sad for young people today who don't have the same quality for inspiration and aspiration. Thank you for this wonderful video.
Many versions of the myth end with the implication that Guinevere loved Arthur as much as he did, and the two were soulmates, with Lancelot being a fling, as after hearing of his death at Mordred's hands, she enters such a deep depression at the loss of her husband, that she flees from Camelot, joins a convent and neither speaks nor smiles the rest of her life,
I SO agree! Richard Harris is so much more charming, talented and appealing! Lance never seemed to master a good French accent, his singing was dubbed, and his acting skills left much to be. desired. What was Vanessa thinking, indeed!
The truth is that we will never see this type of acting again, the film makers and program makers of today put to much in to life, when life is really simple. We just want to love and be loved.
Franco Nero and Lancelot du Lac are two different people. One is an actor and the other is/was an historical person/character. Maybe your mom would choose one or the other versus Richard Harris ;)
If only our generation lived like this...But who knows, maybe one day there will be a better age and better men. Maybe one day there will be a brief, but shining moment called Camelot.
***** Several years ago the Camelot traveling group including Richard Harris came to Nashville.Early in the show I noticed that my wife had fallen asleep. The only time she had a chance to see a real star studded play. Most of the Broadway shows that come to Nashville feature young women just barely dressed. The long stocking body suits and what they don't show they advertise. Needless to say that we will not be returning for a second show.
Alwey Wong How could your wife fall asleep? I know a man who slept through the original "Les Miserable" on Bway. I just don't understand....Did you enjoy "Camelot?" :-)
How absolutely wonderful he was in the film. Quite a challenge to compete with Richard Burton in the theatre production, but he did a total excellent interpretation of King Arthur. He touched me so in the film.
I met Richard Harris in a Broadway theatre during intermission ( Richard III with Al Pacino). I said, “Had I been Guenevere , I never would have left you for Lancelot.” He replied, “Quite right, my dear, quite right!” We both laughed. He was so handsome, his voice was magnificent. I was swooning. After the show I met Al Pacino and got his autograph. What a night!
M...this movie is playing on TMC right now as I write this. Aside from my email that suggested that you come here to view this clip, this is one of the most romantic movies ever made. Hence, I thought of you...this song says so much...amazing emotion & feeling by the incomparable Richard Harris. Mark me well and I'll tell you sir; the way to handle a woman is to love her, simply love her, merely love her. GNM
This role was made for this Lad ,love his every way , what a Kool dude , romantic way ,what a voice . Love his emotion in this song , always loved his style . . .
Wow, that brought back a flood of feelings. I'm no longer able to discern whether the feelings bring back specific memories. It's not important. This is really the center-piece of the whole "Camelot" play tragedy. If you are worth a lick of salt, you have to identify with Arthur (played very beautifully by Richard Harris). Therein, is the entire tragedy. You "merely" see a man missing his own wife and can't figure out where she has been. But, as the viewer you know more than Arthur. His wife is getting it on with his best friend -- not just a best friend but someone whom Arthur trusts and values above all others. Arthur's song of "merely love her," is a testament to his trust and altruism. These qualities create a giant sense of betrayal once he figures out what's been going on. The film kind of got sacked because it was all filmed in Hollywood sets, and some portion of the critics/audience expected a more grand scale. But I have to disagree with them. The way this was filmed is very close, very personal -- so no need of giant spectacles. Just as the stage play presents, this is all about a few characters and how they react to one-another. Amazingly good stuff that I fear newer generations will dismiss.
I saw this film with my roommate and his girlfriend...who i had fallen in love with too...in November of 1968. It has stayed one of the unforgettable moments of my life. Tonight..the first day of the new year...I'm having nostalgic memories of those euphoric and fleeting moments of my life. Great movie and great memories I will carry to the end of my days.
Oh Wow, I'm swooning!...He was a beautiful man and actor with a lovely melodic voice...Remember watching this film when I was a teenager, with my soul mate...They're both gone now, but the memories remain....
I just watched the movie, "The Piano". The lead man is faced with a similar situation and cuts off his "beloved's" index finger and sends her back where she came from. Life is full of difficulty, much sorrow. I love the storyline of King Arthur taking the "high road", choosing to love and forgive his two most cherished friends who betray him.
I've just watched to this movie, and I loved it. Arthur becomes, here, an intellectual trying to bring law instead of violence to solve conflicts among people, a romantic gentleman, although shy and a little clumsy. I did know some of the songs. His great victory is not in the force of arms - although everyone knows he will, even at the cost of his own life, after all defeat Mordred -, but in the memory of everything he's done. The hero of the Battle of Camlann shall be the boy that runs back.
I saw Mr Harris about 2001, drinking Guinness in the Cole Hole pub off the Strand. He had a grey beard and was drinking with another gentlemen, who also had a grey beard...They looked identical.
+Neil McNally No. definitely not Peter O'tool, but the other guy had long white beard and hair, just like Harris. I do know that right next door to the Coal Hole pub is the Savoy hotel where Harris had a permanent suit
No you aren't ignorant at all. Glad you asked. Yes, they are one and the same - Sir Richard had acting training but never singing and his voice is just wonderful and soooo endearing. He is also terribly funny (Irish of course) and wrote a book of poems. You can see him on t.v. interviews on u-tube recounting stories and you will laugh your head off. After Richard - they broke the mold. He was teasing people and joking even on the way to hospital when he died. (London, Savoy Hotel) Do enjoy.
