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Review
One of the most unusual of French cinema’s historical dramas, La Chanson de Roland
tells a tale of heroism, faith and human suffering. With its naturalistic performances
and convincing location sets, it resembles less a historical film and more a documentary
filmed in the Middle Ages. The artistic style of the film is similar to that of
Robert Bresson’s Lancelot du Lac, although somewhat less austere in its cinematography.
The film switches between a re-enactment of the exploits of a 10th Century knight Roland and a 12th century pilgrimage, a curious melange which illustrates the importance of folklore in medieval culture – past heroism somehow giving some sense to today’s otherwise meaningless existence. With an exceptional cast (which includes Klaus Kinski, one of Germany’s premier league actors) and close attention to period detail, La Chanson de Roland is a supremely artistic film. With its explicit depiction of human suffering and depravity, this should be an immensely depressing film – but it isn’t. Rather, it is a beautifully painted, immensely spiritual work which evokes optimism and celebrates the better qualities in human nature. © James Travers 2003 Write a review for this film...User Comments
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Director:
Frank Cassenti
Starring: Klaus Kinski, Alain Cuny, Dominique Sanda, Pierre Clémenti, Jean-Pierre Kalfon Synopsis
In the Twelfth Century, a group of travelling storytellers accompany peasant pilgrims
on their long journey to the holy town of Saint- Jacques- de-Compostelle. They sing
and enact the exploits of the valiant Roland, a Tenth Century knight who, in the reign
of King Charlemagne, helped stem the advance of Arabs into France, before being betrayed
by the armies of King Marsile at Roncevaux. On their gruelling journey on foot,
both pilgrims and actors must fend off marauding bandits, whilst contending with near-starvation
and disease, all of which rapidly depletes their number. Moved by the suffering
endured by the peasants, one of the actors, Klaus, later gives up his life to champion
their cause.
Credits
 More French Drama |
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