Watch Lancelot du Lac

Lancelot du Lac is a French film directed by Robert Bresson in 1974. The movie is a retelling of the story of Lancelot and his love for Queen Guinevere, and their affair which ultimately leads to the downfall of King Arthur's court. The film is entirely in French and features English subtitles, with a runtime of just over an hour and a half.

The story begins with Lancelot, played by Luc Simon, returning from his quest to possess the Holy Grail. He is greeted by a prince who informs him that the kingdom is now in dire straits and that he is needed to defend King Arthur and his kingdom from invaders. Lancelot agrees to help and sets off to the court, where he is quickly welcomed by the king and queen.

Lancelot is portrayed as a stoic and silent character, who is focused solely on his mission to serve and protect his king. As the movie progresses, the audience is shown various scenes of Lancelot performing feats of strength and skill, as he tries to uphold his reputation as the most skilled and loyal of all Arthur's knights. His strength and bravery are continuously put to the test, as the kingdom faces more and more challenges from outside forces.

It is not long before Lancelot and Queen Guinevere, played by Laura Duke Condominas, seem to develop an attraction towards each other, which quickly turns to full-blown love as they embark on a secret affair. The two are shown stealing away to secluded corners of the castle, exchanging longing glances, and engaging in passionate embraces. The affair is frowned upon by Arthur, who is aware of the situation but does nothing to intervene, which ultimately leads to the downfall of his court.

There are several elements at play in Lancelot du Lac, which makes it a unique retelling of the legend of King Arthur. Firstly, the movie portrays Lancelot and Queen Guinevere as human characters with real emotions, rather than as the archetypal characters seen in most adaptations of the story. While Lancelot is still the skilled and loyal knight, he is also shown to have a softer side, with a longing for love and companionship. Similarly, Queen Guinevere is not just a passive object of affection but an active participant in the events that unfold. Her emotional struggles and the guilt she feels over her betrayal add depth and complexity to the character, which in turn adds more layers to the film's story.

Another unique aspect of Lancelot du Lac is its use of slow and deliberate pacing. The movie is filmed in a stark and minimalist style, which adds to the overall effect of the story. The slow pace of the film forces the viewer to spend time with the characters, to appreciate the beauty of the cinematography and to absorb each detail of the story. It also makes the violent and intense scenes all the more shocking and memorable.

Overall, Lancelot du Lac is a thoughtful and challenging film that explores the deeper themes of love, loyalty, and betrayal. With its minimalist style, realistic portrayals of the characters, and its use of myth to explore human emotion, Lancelot du Lac is a unique and compelling film that is well worth watching. The performances by the lead actors are superb, with each bringing a depth and nuance to their characters that makes them come alive on screen. If you are a fan of classic literature and enjoy exploring the deeper themes of love and tragedy, then Lancelot du Lac is a film that you simply must see.