When in doubt, just go with it.
As part of my quest to watch as many Arthuriana based movies and shows as possible (but with a continued stubborn refusal to risk getting burned by Merlin yes I know I know) I have just watched the 1978 French film Perceval le Gallois, which is based of the de Troyes poem.
Initially, I wondered if I was watching a stage production without realizing it, but nope. The costumes and sets are deliberately fake and theatrical, and the actions frequently exaggerated. There’s no attempt at realism or even a fantasy historical England. Instead, it fully embraces the chivalric fantasy and makes no real attempt at adjusting any actions or sensibilities for modern viewers. I’m less familiar with Percival than other parts of Arthuriana, but this appears to literally be translating de Troyes to screen, with characters frequently narrating their own actions and speech, and speaking in couplets.
Here’s the first 10 minutes:
I admit, I…pretty much thought Perceval himself was annoying and, well, basically an idiot (modern slang, not medieval use) throughout, but the movie and it’s approach were pretty interesting, if in a sometimes surreal way.
As best as I can determine, this is not currently available in the US (I can’t speak for elsewhere) unless you want to spend $60 on a used DVD. As such, I have a 1.36 GB AVI available for proper bribes, if anyone is interested.
Initially, I wondered if I was watching a stage production without realizing it, but nope. The costumes and sets are deliberately fake and theatrical, and the actions frequently exaggerated. There’s no attempt at realism or even a fantasy historical England. Instead, it fully embraces the chivalric fantasy and makes no real attempt at adjusting any actions or sensibilities for modern viewers. I’m less familiar with Percival than other parts of Arthuriana, but this appears to literally be translating de Troyes to screen, with characters frequently narrating their own actions and speech, and speaking in couplets.
Here’s the first 10 minutes:
I admit, I…pretty much thought Perceval himself was annoying and, well, basically an idiot (modern slang, not medieval use) throughout, but the movie and it’s approach were pretty interesting, if in a sometimes surreal way.
As best as I can determine, this is not currently available in the US (I can’t speak for elsewhere) unless you want to spend $60 on a used DVD. As such, I have a 1.36 GB AVI available for proper bribes, if anyone is interested.