Another five years pass. The climate must be perfect all the year. The crown has made it clear. Guenevere, Arthur's intended bride, comes to the woods. A young, pretentious and over-religious Frenchman from Joyous Garde named Lancelot du Lac has heard of the Round Table, and is determined to come to Camelot and join Arthur's knights, confident that he is perfect for the post ("C'est Moi"). He was called "the natural successor to Olivier" by critic and dramaturge Kenneth Tynan. In the stage version, when Nimue is seducing Merlyn, she sings "Follow Me". $5.00. Arthur then left alone, ponders both his subjects and his own feelings about the intended nuptials ("I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight?"). Directed by Joshua Logan. She does not like the idea of being Queen, preferring to live an ordinary life- at least, an ordinary rich life- ("Simple Joys of Maidenhood"). Arthur is preparing for battle against Lancelot, at the insistence of his knights who want revenge, and England appears headed back into the Prior to the battle, Arthur stumbles across a young boy named Several songs were omitted from the film version: "The Jousts", a choral episode in which the jousts, which occur offstage in the play, are described (in the film they are shown); "Before I Gaze At You Again", sung by Guenevere to an offstage Lancelot; "The Seven Deadly Virtues", sung by Mordred; "Persuasion", sung in a scene not in the film, in which Mordred persuades In both the stage and film version, Merlin has disappeared from Arthur's life as an adult. Merlyn persuades Arthur to climb down and chides him for his unkingly behavior. Lancelot's prowess impresses Arthur, and they become friends; however, many of the knights instantly despise Lancelot for his self-righteousness and boasting manner. When the film came out, I saw it and didn't warm to it. The World of Burton 552,543 views. He soliloquizes to his sword Many years later, Guenevere and Lancelot are still tormented by their unfulfilled love. But Mordred and several knights are waiting behind the curtains, and they catch the lovers together. The plot returns to the opening. They offer to face up to justice in England, but Arthur will not see Guenevere burned or Lancelot beheaded. Arthur hears someone coming and scampers up the tree again. Before the final battle, Arthur meets Lancelot and Guenevere. Richard Burton, CBE (/ ˈ b ɜːr t ən /; born Richard Walter Jenkins Jr.; 10 November 1925 – 5 August 1984) was a Welsh actor. Mordred, meanwhile, has devised a plan to ruin Arthur and his kingdom permanently. Nevertheless, she remains faithful to Arthur, and helps him in carrying out the affairs of State. shipping: + $2.80 shipping . Arthur dreams up and explores with Guenevere his idea for a "Round Table" that would seat all the noble knights of the realm, reflecting not only a crude type of democratic ideal, but also the political unification of England. However, Lancelot and Guenevere's affair and Mordred's machinations come to a head when Mordred and some of the Knights of the Round Table interrupt, accuse Lancelot of treason, and try to take him prisoner. Camelot Song Lyrics. For the sake of his own honor and that of Camelot, Arthur must now wage war against Lancelot. Morgan has a sweet tooth, and though she likes Arthur, Mordred manages to bribe her with a large supply of sweetmeats, to build one of her invisible walls around Arthur for one night, so that when he goes on his hunting trip the next day, he will not be able to get back to the castle ("The Persuasion"). In the film, this is assumed to have occurred long before the meeting with Guinevere, and Merlin is excised from this scene. He tells Guenevere the story of how he pulled the sword from the stone and became king, and she finally agrees to marry him. ARTHUR: It's true! He is eventually inspired, with Guenevere's help, to establish the Round Table with the motto "might for right." As it happens, the shrewd King Arthur guesses that Lancelot and Guenevere have feelings for each other, but hopes it will blow over, as he does not wish to upset the tranquility of Camelot. At the execution, Arthur watches from a distance as Mordred taunts him for his failures; he is torn between upholding his law and doing his duty as a king, or sparing Guenevere, whom he still loves in spite of everything. $4.30. 1:59:26. Eventually, word of Arthur's Round Table spreads to France. John Cullum also made his Broadway debut as Sir Dinadan; Bruce Yarnell was Sir Lionel. In the summer of 1980, Richard Burton – now post-Liz, and in failing health – made a brief, poignant return to Camelot and Broadway, but had to give way to Harris, again, for the balance of the tour.