As with his earlier Trial of Joan of Arc, French-filmmaker Robert Bresson effectively casts unknowns in his interpretation of the Knights of the Round Table saga. Breaking with the standard romantic spin on this legend, Bresson offers us a selfish, ruthless Lancelot, no better than the other grubby "nobles" who seek but fail to find the Holy Grail. Returning from his futile mission, Lancelot callously renews his affair with King Arthur's Guenevere, who likewise is depicted in less than
sympathetic terms. Expectedly, the dream of "Camelot" is dashed to bits; Bresson argues that Camelot was never any more than a dream--or rather, a delusion. The mudcaked cinematography of Pasqualino de Santis adds to the iconoclastic flavor of Lancelot of the Lake. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Bresson's stripped-to-the-bone adaptation eschews the traditionally heroic, spectacular, fabulous, and exaltedly romantic aspects of the legendary saga in order to lay bare the confusion and pain within the human soul.
It's often characterized as a 'despairing' film in Bresson's late oeuvre, but in fact, it's an elegiac lamentation...beautifully rendered in loving, rhythmic care.
Cuts to the heart of the Arthurian tragedy… strips away the early grandeur of Camelot, leaving only the demoralized foundering in the wake of the failed Grail quest.
Even with a well-known story as its backdrop, it is only upon the third or fourth viewing that one can even begin to contemplate the larger questions at work in the film.
Having seen Bresson's filmography in full (including this film twice), I'm convinced that Lancelot of the Lake is on par with his very best and most transcendent work.
i love the tales of king arthur, from excalibur to monty python :P this is of course the most minimalist version possible. and it's bloody! those who've seen a bresson film will know what to expect. for the rest, read bort16's review; i think he's said it all
September 10, 2008
Stella Dallas
Super Reviewer
Very interesting. This is my first experience with a Bresson film but after seeing this I will no doubt see some of his others. It's based on the legend of the knights of the round table but strips down all the romance and mysticism and gives way to stark realism. The film is extremely art house in nature by way of
constant symbolism and unusually framed shots but it is by no means existential. It is however, unsentimental, even towards the hero, Lancelot, in its portrayal of the purity of men. Not much emotion is displayed on screen but through the dialogue and the plot progression the viewer can deduct the stirring hearts hidden within the hard demeanors of the characters. The most striking aspect of the film is its cinematography, which speaks mounds for the story; it is subtle yet elegant when capturing small moments, one of the more memorable being the tracking of Guenivere's hand move across her lap between Lancelot and her scarf.
I feel I would benefit from a second viewing yet am a little apprehensive given the patience this film requires. I still was captivated by much of what I saw, and the 80+ minute runtime made it easier to sit through. It is a refreshing take on the Camelot legend and filmed in a style that we don't see much of anymore. I would recommend this to anyone who's a fan of art house cinema and knights in armor flicks.
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