Lancelot of the Lake

Cast & Crew

Luc Simon
Lancelot du Lac

Laura Duke Condominas
La Reine (The Queen)

Humbert Balsan
Gauvain

Patrick Bernard
Mordred

Arthur De Montalembert
Lionel

Robert Bresson
Director

Robert Bresson
Writer

Alfredo Bini
Producer

Jean-Pierre Rassam
Producer

Jean Yanne
Producer

Francois Rochas
Producer

Chretien de Troyes
Writer (Story)

Philippe Sarde
Original Music

Pasqualino De Santis
Cinematographer

Germaine Artus
Film Editor

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Critic Reviews for Lancelot of the Lake (Lancelot du Lac)

Audience Reviews for Lancelot of the Lake (Lancelot du Lac)

• Mar 06, 2013

  Robert Bresson's low-budget attempt to de-romanticize the King Arthur myth has no romance, no gallantry, no smiles, almost no score and just a smidge of what might be called "acting." Instead, the film is mostly about Bresson's strange obsession with incidental sound. Lasting impressions of this film are not about dialogue or plot, but rather rattling armor and listless, unnaturally loud footsteps trudging across forest duff and castle floors. Not exactly compelling. Violence usually occurs off-camera, though the bloody opening minutes can't help but evoke Monty Python & the Holy Grail's notorious "only a flesh wound" scene. The homely, untrained cast is just another way to rob the viewer of any easy pleasures. The story itself skips all the glories of Arthur's court and picks up after the failed search for the Grail, so the mood is nothing but bleak. Approach at your own risk, and don't bother bringing a shrubbery.
  

  Eric B Super Reviewer
• May 03, 2012

  Returning empty handed in his two-year search for the Holy Grail after having made a wrong turn somewhere, Lancelot(Luc Simon) is given a warm welcome back from King Arthur(Vladimir Antolek-Oresek). Mordred(Patrick Bernhard) emerges from the shadows just long enough to remind everybody that he told them so, before slinking back to his hole. All Queen Guinevere(Laura Duke Condominas) wants to know is why her knight, Lancelot, is not wearing her ring anymore. To start, "Lancelot of the Lake" takes an intriguing approach to violence, with the only graphic detail in its opening sequence(if it looks familiar, it should be pointed out that "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" was made the following year), before pretty much avoiding it for the rest of the film, which speaks volumes to the knights' worthiness, considering their history of bloodshed and pillaging. This film is set during the downward slide of Arthur's rule, as he has no wish to replace any fallen knights. Otherwise, the movie can be talky, focusing more on relationships, which confirms the eternal power of this venerable tale.
  Walter M Super Reviewer
• Sep 10, 2008

  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
  Stella D Super Reviewer

Lancelot of the Lake (Lancelot du Lac) Quotes

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