Lancelot du Lac (1974)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Robert Bresson

Writer:

Robert Bresson (written by)

Release Date:

26 September 1974 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | War

Plot:

A million miles away from 'Camelot' or 'Excalibur', this film ruthlessly strips the Arthurian legend down to its barest essentials...

Plot Keywords:

Legend | Knight | Horse | Forest | Path

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Luc Simon	...	Lancelot du Lac
Laura Duke Condominas	...	La Reine (The Queen)
Humbert Balsan	...	Gauvain
Vladimir Antolek-Oresek	...	Le Roi (The King)
Patrick Bernhard	...	Mordred (as Patrick Bernard)
Arthur De Montalembert	...	Lionel
Charles Balsan
Christian Schlumberger
Joseph-Patrick Le Quidre
Jean-Paul Leperlier
Marie-Louise Buffet
Marie-Gabrielle Cartron
Antoine Rabaud
Jean-Marie Becar
Guy de Bernis
Philippe Chleq

Directed by
Robert Bresson

Writing credits
Robert Bresson		(written by)

Produced by
Jean-Pierre Rassam	....	producer
François Rochas	....	producer
Jean Yanne	....	producer
Alfredo Bini	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Philippe Sarde

Cinematography by
Pasqualino De Santis		(director of photography) (as Pasqualino de Santis)

Film Editing by
Germaine Lamy

Production Design by
Pierre Charbonnier

Set Decoration by
Jean Boulet

Makeup Department
Elaine Marcus	....	key makeup artist (as Eliane Marcus)

Production Management
Michel Choquet	....	production manager
Philippe Lièvre	....	unit manager (as Philippe Lievre)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Robert Baroody	....	second assistant director
Gilles Berault	....	second assistant director
Bernard Cohn	....	second assistant director
Mylène Van der Mersch	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Pierre Cadiou	....	assistant production designer
Michel Suné	....	property master (as Michel Sune)

Sound Department
Bernard Bats	....	sound engineer
Jacques Carrère	....	sound mixer (as Jacques Carrere)
Daniel Couteau	....	foley recordist
Bernard Rochut	....	boom operator

Special Effects by
Alain Bryce	....	special effects
Leslie Gilles	....	special effects assistant

Stunts
Yvan Chiffre	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Jean Chiabaut	....	camera operator
Mario Cimini	....	camera operator
Jacques Dorot	....	assistant camera
Dominique Le Rigoleur	....	assistant camera

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Raymonde Ventura	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Arlette Lalande	....	assistant editor

Music Department
William Flageollet	....	music engineer

Other crew
Claude Bertonazzi	....	administrator
Robert Chevereau	....	administrator
Blanche Cochet	....	production secretary
Geneviève Cortier	....	script girl
Jean Pieuchot	....	general manager

Production Companies

• Mara Films
• Laser Production (as Laser Productions)
• Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française (ORTF) (as O. R. T. F.)
• Gerico Sound

Distributors

• Gaumont (1974) (worldwide) (all media)
• Compagnie Française de Distribution Cinématographique (CFDC) (1974) (France) (theatrical)
• MK2 Éditions (2005) (France) (DVD)
• Kinokuniya (2008) (Japan) (DVD) (box-set)
• New Yorker Films (1975) (USA) (subtitled)
• New Yorker Video (USA) (VHS)
• Prodimag (2006) (Spain) (DVD)
• Uniportugal (Portugal)

Other Companies

• Éditions Yanne  music publisher
• Grès  costumes
• Cartier  jewelry
• Carita  hair styling
• Eastman Color  tour print (as Eastmancolor)
• Paris Studios Cinéma  auditorium (as Paris-Studio-Cinema)
• Éclair  laboratory
• CTR  titles

Also Known As:

Lancelot of the Lake (USA)
Lancillotto e Ginevra (Italy)
Le graal
The Grail

Runtime:

Hong Kong:85 min | Argentina:88 min | USA:85 min

Country:

France | Italy

Language:

French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Portugal:M/12 | UK:PG | Argentina:13

Company:

Mara Films

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Camelot's demise, minimalist-style

Robert Bresson utilized a minimalist style in film, one that if anything brought more emphasis to the subtexts of his works. In this wonderful film, his focus is on the end of Camelot, and the death that accompanies it. The film itself it indescribable, relying almost completely on its style to convey its message. That said, I think it's a must see. Especially for fans of French cinema and the Arthurian legend.