Review of Perceval (1978) by Jean-Francois V — 04 Dec 2011

This is probably the most medieval film ever produced. Director Eric Rohmer translated the original work by Chretien de Troyes, a XIIth century French poet, and had the actors deliver the lines in a rather antiquated French. The narration is sung by minstrels accompanied by medieval instruments, or told by background characters, and sometimes even by the main characters themselves (who, for instance, will say: "He tells him the reason" instead of actually telling the reason.).

The whole film is shot on a very small set, almost a theater stage, with a few stylised trees, painted horizons, a few disproportionately small castles (as in medieval illuminations) and a few simple interiors.

The story itself is poorly structured by modern standards, like the original itself, probably, being interrupted by a side-story about another knight, itself left unresolved, and a short passion play in which Luchini himself is crucified.

I first saw this film about thirty years ago on French television and really enjoyed it. It was a real pleasure to see it again after all these years, all the more so as, having become a traditional Catholic in the meantime, I knew what the bleeding spear and the Grail were about, and I could even understand most of the unsubtitled latin of the passion play.

The film's greatest achievement is to treat the material with the utmost respect, resisting any temptation to sneer at its naivete, values (especially piety) or esthetics.

Having also greatly enjoyed Rohmer's "The Lady and the Duke", a visually innovative recreation of the French Revolution, I am curious to discover whether he has made other interesting films of the same caliber.