Lancelot of the Lake
Lancelot of the Lake

Movie spotlight

Lancelot of the Lake

1970
Movie
139 min
French

This story is set in the 13th century, in Britain, where Lancelot, who was raised by Vivian, the Lady of the Lake, becomes one the Knight of the Round Tables and falls secretly in love with Guinevere, the wife of King Arthur, for whom he wants to accomplish many deeds.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Director: Robert BressonGenres: Drama, Fantasy, History

Plot Summary

In a bleak and war-torn Camelot, King Arthur's Round Table is fracturing under the weight of betrayal and ambition. Lancelot, the kingdom's greatest knight, finds himself torn between his loyalty to Arthur and his forbidden love for Queen Guinevere. As the quest for the Holy Grail falters and infighting escalates, the once-noble order begins to crumble, leading to inevitable tragedy.

Critical Reception

Robert Bresson's 'Lancelot of the Lake' is a stark and unconventional take on the Arthurian legend, noted for its minimalist style and philosophical undertones. It divided critics upon release, with some lauding its unique artistic vision and others finding it too austere and detached. However, it has since gained a reputation as a significant, albeit challenging, work of art cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its distinctive Bressonian aesthetic and profound exploration of chivalry's decay.

  • Criticized by some for its deliberate pacing and lack of traditional heroic sentiment.

  • Seen as a meditative and bleak deconstruction of myth and human fallibility.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews and their summary is not readily available for this film.

Fun Fact

Robert Bresson famously used non-professional actors for most roles, including Lancelot himself, to achieve a heightened sense of naturalism and detachment.

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