Camelot's Great Hall and Great Sets

Camelot the television series was a short-lived program that ran for only a season.  Sadly I personally think that part of the reason for its demise was the miscasting of the lead role of Arthur.  Several of the roles were extremely well cast (Eva Green, Joseph Fiennes, Claire Forlani) and the actor who played Arthur just couldn't keep up.  But I digress.  One thing the show did get right was the set and costumes.  Eva Green delighted in drool-worthy ensembles.

But the star of the show, at least to me, was Camelot...all of it, but specifically the Great Hall.

In this version of the story, Camelot was not built, but re-built from old ruins.  Therefore when Merlin first takes Arthur to his castle, it is wild and abandoned and overrun with nature.

Sounds pretty Domythic already, right?

(all images are much larger if clicked)

It's only a model.  (I had to say it)

The castle ruins with trees growing through the floor.  Yes please.

A hole in the Great Hall roof.  I don't think they ever quite show that this was repaired, but one would assume so.

Wild nature everywhere.

Arthur's followers come to swear alliegance.

What a gorgeous (and entirely CGI) view.

The upstairs halls overlooking the Great Hall are hard to navigate from vines and leaves.

What I absolutely love about this show, however, is that they don't completely strip away nature once the castle becomes a real thriving community.  It still is present in the vine-covered walls and occasional tree growing inside.  It is simply restrained a little to make room for the people also living within the walls.

The same hall later on in the series.

Looking down from the upper gallery.

The motivation of a wedding inspires Igraine to decorate the Great Hall

Trestle tables are put up and groaning with fresh flowers and food.

The centerpiece is this organic garland and dried floral arrangement.

Each of the doorways are strewn with flower garland.

This really makes me want to make tons of garland this Christmas.

Banners are hung from the greenery on the walls.

Do you think they would notice if I stole the chairs?  The garland?  The walls?  Okay everything?

The private spaces in the castle become much more stunning as well.  Igraine's chambers are incredible.

Merlin's rooms are perfectly befitting a studious wizard.

And Guinevere and Lancelot's room is light, airy, and lovely.

Morgaine has her own castle, with much more jewel-toned and sumptuous decoration, but despite my love of deep colors, I still prefer the organic Camelot.