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Lancelot du Lac [1974]
![Lancelot du Lac [1974]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511CGBJe7rL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £11.98 (subject to change)
Bresson's Lancelot
Review date: 2008-09-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
Lancelot du Lac is similar to other films by Bresson. The story is presented very fast and efficient: in the intro we are shown a few shots of knights being killed and horsemen riding through the woods: the knights of the round table are on their way home, decimated and having failed in the quest to find the grail. Also, like other films by Bresson, the scenes are usually in small settings or relayed through close ups: we are not given any grand views of castles (just interiors) or landscapes (trees mostly). And the actors are "models", that is they do not act by expressing emotions that explain their actions and show their personalities - instead dialogue are delivered in a monotone way and feelings are barely expressed. This is not intended to be a "realistic" film, and it is far away from the Hollywood dramas or detailed depictions of the middle ages.
The core of the film is the return of Lancelot and how this causes conflicts between the knights for and against him, and a moral conflict where Lancelot must decide if he's going to take Guinevere away from king Arthur. It gets quite suspenseful and dramatic, despite the lack of special effects. I like how battles are barely shown: in the tournament we see mostly glimpses of lances and knights repeatedly falling to the ground, and other times we are just shown a short glimpse of a knight with blood flowing from the throat.
What I lack in this DVD from AE is extra material (there are none). But considering the excellent transfer and a price under 10GBP it is great value for money anyway. If you're into Bresson or cinema in general, this is a must buy. If you're more into Hollywood films like Robin Hood you may watch this as an interesting alternative way of telling a story.
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Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Vladimir Antonek- Oresek
Laura Duke Condominas
Humbert Balsan
Luc Simon
Creators:
Luc Simon (Primary Contributor)
Laura Duke Condominas (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Artificial Eye
Manufacturer: Artificial Eye
EAN: 5021866367309
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-04-28
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 81 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1974
Language: French (Unknown)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Original Language)