"Camelot" was adapted from a Broadway musical that opened at the Majestic Theater in New York on Dec. 3, 1960 and ran for 873 performances. Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet were in the original cast.
Marianne Faithfull was suggested by her agent for a role.
Richard Burton won the 1961 Tony Award (New York City) for Actor in a Musical for "Camelot" and his only Tony win for his role as King Arthur.
Richard Burton, who had played the role of King Arthur on Broadway in the original 1960 production, was offered the role in the film. Burton had had a huge success with Lerner & Lowe's show, winning a 1961 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, but he turned the film down. Burton subsequently played King Arthur in the 1980's Broadway revival of "Camelot".
Simon Oates, Michael Latimer, Robert Morris and Nicholas Pennell were interviewed for various knights.
Lionel Jeffries was only forty when he played the elderly King Pellinore.
Richard Harris desperately sought the lead role, despite being repeatedly refused due to his limited singing ability. At one point he even paid a man to carry a board down the Strand that said, "Harris Better than Burton, Only Harris for Camelot".
Richard Harris disliked having to wear a wig and heavy eye shadow as King Arthur. He also annoyed producer Jack L. Warner by insisting on singing the musical numbers live rather than miming.
Richard Harris, a three pack a day smoker, lost his voice several times during filming.
Julie Andrews was asked to reprise her stage role of Guenevere, but had become such a popular film star by this time that she was unable to accept the role. Ironically, Jack L. Warner, who produced the movie version of Camelot, was the same man who produced the film version of My Fair Lady, and who had given the role of Eliza Dolittle to Audrey Hepburn because he thought that Julie Andrews would not be a big enough box-office name.
David Burke screen tested for Sir Dinedan.
Hugh Griffith was asked to play King Pellinore.
Dyson Lovell screen tested for Sir Sagamore.
Alan Jay Lerner used the film screenplay, rather than his original stage version, as the basis for the 1980's Broadway revival of "Camelot".
Franco Nero was cast because he had the right look to play Lancelot.
Basil Hoskins was interviewed for both Sir Paul and Sir Mellion.
Barry Justice screen tested for Mordred.
David Andrews was offered a key role but was not free.
David Saire also screen tested for this film.