After being disappointed by the last few films by Robert Bresson, this turned out to be an underrated gem, taking the legend and showing a more honest version where the characters are far from perfect.

The scenes with Guinevere are great, but the rest of the film does little for me. Its deconstruction of genre I found silly and tedious - we get it, you think pointing a camera at someone's feet for much of the film subverts our expectations of medieval knights in shining armor flicks - and the clunky, even cheesy, fight scenes are irritating. Most of the film is just a bit bland, though certainly not bad. Bresson has a definite way with images, I just don't click with his style much.

Richly symbolic drama, endlessly inventive.

I would say the unromantic portrayal of knights is very welcome, but the problem is it's all based around something insipidly romantic. Bresson doesn't seem to know exactly what he's trying to say here. It's really missing his touch in areas, for instance, the gore (yes, gore in a Bresson movie) looks terribly fake. The cinematography also seems to lack that static, perfectionist touch.

" One suspects that Bresson wanted to interpret Arthurian legend in a way that would emphasize its petty emotions and physicalities." - Zach Campbell

This is a fine movie in that it's exceptionally well-crafted and, as far as I can tell, executes exactly as Bresson wanted. There are some amazing scenes, such as the joust tournament but overall it's just not my thing.

#488

Obscure Arthurian-themed work from Bresson's later nihilistic period. For fans only, and even then... Besides the occasional remarkable visuals and stark atmosphere, the best part about this film for me was the music. A disappointment overall however.

I prefer Bresson's earlier, funny movies.

# 395

My god, this movie sucks hard. The most wooden acting you've ever seen. What's the big deal about people using "non-actors"? Why am I supposed to want to have a job done by someone who doesn't know what they're doing? You wouldn't hire a "non-plumber" to fix your toilet. Anyway, this movie was totally lifeless and boring and pointless. I've never seen so many shots of feet. Bresson at his worst.

Bresson's worst movie, which would be a great for anyone else.

Bresson's minimalistic style is in full force, and it's not bad, but with none of the depth you'd expect from a Bresson film. There's also little of the excitement or rich story telling you'd expect from a film based on Arthurian legend, which leaves the film without much to hold the viewer's interest.

I had to watch this movie during a medieval film class... boy... this movies sucks... Bresson plays with camera perspectives that lead you to crick your neck because you think you might actually see something when you do that. Besides, the acting was really low as well as was the story itself.

445

437

This is not my favorite Bresson movie. But this is probably the one where his characteristics as a director are clearer. Very classy, and a grower.