Lancelot of the Lake (1974)

92% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(1,198 ratings)

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… More 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Robert Bresson
Written By: Robert Bresson
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1974 Limited
On DVD: May 25, 2004

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
The style is intact but the content is missing.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
It belongs with Pickpocket and Au hasard Balthazar at the highest level of Bresson's achievement.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
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.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Richly symbolic drama, endlessly inventive.
Doug Cummings, Filmjourney
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.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
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.
Phil Freeman, culturevulture.net
Bresson strips away frippery to such an extent that it should be a coma-inducing slog, but it's not.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It has a magnificence that creeps out a little at a time, especially over repeated viewings.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
For Bresson fans, this is as good as it gets...for now at least.
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
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.
Zach Campbell, Slant Magazine
One suspects that Bresson wanted to interpret Arthurian legend in a way that would emphasize its petty emotions and physicalities.
Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt
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.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Casts a magical spell over an old legend and reinvents it.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
Bresson's style may not be for everyone, but one has to respect his strength as an artist.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stella D

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
Walter M

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… More
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.

Cast

Luc Simon
as Lancelot
Humbert Balsan
as Gawain
Vladmir Antolek-Oresk
as King Arthur

See full cast

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Lancelot of the Lake (1974)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Stella D

Walter M

Cast

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