A knight of the Round Table defends Camelot from internal plots and external threats in this swashbuckling adventure serial.
Sir Lancelot of the Lake (William Russell) arrives at the court of King Arthur (Bruce Seton, later Ronald Leigh-Hunt) and proves himself to be the bravest of all the knights of the Round Table. With his loyal young squire, Brian (Robert Scroggins), Lancelot undertakes quests on behalf of Arthur and Queen Guinevere (Jane Hylton). He remains a steadfast defender of justice and chivalry, often clashing with the more cautious counsel of the court magician, Merlin (Cyril Smith). Each episode finds Lancelot facing danger in the form of rival knights, invading Vikings, corrupt barons, and treacherous sorcery.
Produced by Sapphire Films for Lew Grade’s ITC network, this series was a direct attempt to replicate the international success of The Adventures of Robin Hood. It holds a notable place in British television history as one of the first series to be filmed in colour; a decision made specifically to appeal to the American network NBC, even though UK audiences saw only the monochrome prints. The final fourteen of its thirty episodes were shot in this format, a considerable expense that demonstrated the production’s transatlantic ambition. The series also employed several American screenwriters blacklisted during the McCarthy era, including Ring Lardner Jr. and Ian McLellan Hunter, who wrote under various pseudonyms.
Broadcast: ITC – ABC Midlands, 30 Episodes, 15 September 1956 – 20 April 1957
Writers: Ian McLellan Hunter, Ring Lardner Jr., Adrian Scott, Leslie Poynton, Peggy Phillips
Directors: Ralph Smart, Arthur Crabtree, Bernard Knowles, Lawrence Huntington, Terry Bishop, Peter Maxwell, Anthony Squire
Executive Producer: Hannah Weinstein
Producer: Dallas Bower
Main Cast: William Russell (Sir Lancelot), Robert Scroggins (Brian), Jane Hylton (Queen Guinevere), Ronald Leigh-Hunt (King Arthur), Bruce Seton (King Arthur), Cyril Smith (Merlin), David Morrell (Sir Kay)
