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Luc Simon, Humbert Balsan, Vladmir Antolek-Oresk, Patrick Bernhard, Laura Duke Condominas ... see more see more... , Arthur De Montalembert , Vladimir Antolek-Oresek , Patrick Bernard

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 s... read more read more...pin 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

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71% liked it

1,198 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

13 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.

Directed by: Robert Bresson

Release Date: January 1, 1974

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DVD Release Date: May 25, 2004

Stats: 78 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (78)

  • rubystevens
    December 25, 2008
    rubystevens
    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
  • gator681
    May 3, 2012
    gator681
    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 ev... read moreerybody 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.

View All Lancelot of the Lake Reviews

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

The style is intact but the content is missing. Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

It belongs with Pickpocket and Au hasard Balthazar at the highest level of Bresson's achievement. Full Review

August 28, 2006
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 with... Full Review

Michael E. Grost
August 22, 2006
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television

Richly symbolic drama, endlessly inventive. Full Review

Doug Cummings
December 1, 2004
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. Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus
August 22, 2004
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. Full Review

Phil Freeman
July 14, 2004
Phil Freeman, culturevulture.net

Bresson strips away frippery to such an extent that it should be a coma-inducing slog, but it's not. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
May 24, 2004
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

It has a magnificence that creeps out a little at a time, especially over repeated viewings. Full Review

Matt Bailey
May 17, 2004
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. Full Review

Zach Campbell
February 8, 2004
Zach Campbell, Slant Magazine

One suspects that Bresson wanted to interpret Arthurian legend in a way that would emphasize its petty emotions and physicalities. Full Review

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