Thursday, March 4, 1976
'Lancelot' knightly saga
By CHUCK SACK
Reviewer
Director Robert Bresson's "Lancet mo Luc," is a starkly beautiful and mysterious treatment of the Arthurian legend. Like the bards of the Middle Ages, Bresson has freely adapted the tale to his own purposes, changing minor events, but retaining the primary figures and their chivalric codes to make them fit his theme.
Because the saga is so well-known, there is never any doubt about the fate of the heroes. Yet, the inevitability of the outcome has not diminished. Bresson has used the popularity of the legend to best advantage. The narrative is kept to a minimum, allowing the viewer to supply connections in the familiar world that concentrates on his own embellishments.
The story begins with the return of the knights and King Arthur to Camelot, their ranks decimated by the fruitless two-year search for the Holy Grail. The film opens with the prophecy of the deaths of Lancelot and the other survivors of the quest.
LANCELOT HAS had a vision of the Grall and has vowed to discontinue his adulterous affair with Queen Guinevere. When the Queen refuses to release him from a bond to her, Lancelot to turn between his spiritual needs and his baser desires.
Bresson focuses on the maze of conflicting allegiances and obligations of the knights. They are bound to a rigid code of honor, and their forces disintegrate as the ambitions Mordred schemes to wrest the throne and the Queen from Arthur.
refusal to violate either of his vows turns him into an ascetic, and causes a crisis in leadership. Gradually only Gawain and Lilon support him. While Mordred recruits him as an assassin, the track is frequently punctuated with the shrill whimies of their idle horses.
The tone is dark and somber. Lancelot's
BRESSON'S STYLE is severe, but the richness of the legend comes to his aid. Just when it seems that the careful tension will be slackened, he shifts gears slightly and weaves in the tale of Lancetol's unheralded father. It would have defeated Mordecil'msed as the White Knight.
review
Throughout "Lancelot du Lac" the knights are depicted as cold cheese pieces.
removes his arm, and then just for a few minutes to embrace Guinevere. The rest of the three the Knights are sheathed in metal, and the knights their principles into clanking machines.
For example, Sir Gawain loves Lancelot and supports him in all decisions. But when Lancelot kills Gawain's brother while rescuing Guenevere from Mordred's clutches, Gawain is duty bound to avenge his brother by challenging his friend.
BRESSON DERHUMANIZES the characters by emphasizing their mechanical aspects. Helmets often obscure the actors' features, and flags, ornaments and coats of arms are used repeatedly to identify characters. During the important tournament, the camera avoids showing the players' faces in order to ritualize the content and the repeated insults Medord receives while Lancelot unsets every dissenter.
University Daily Kansan
Filmed in color, "Lancetor du Lac" is deceptively simple in look. Greens andburnished greys dominate, and the occasional splashes of bright reds, blues andyellows of the knights' saddle blankets are striking. But the austerity of the visuals isin perfect harmony with the story of Lancetor's quest for salvation.
Plans 30 days ahead on Clinton Parkway
Plans for the Clinton Parkway project are running about 30 days ahead of schedule after clearance earlier this week of an expansion. The project will be by the council on Environmental Quality.
An April 15 deadline for the report's clearance had been hoped for by Douglas Cannon.
The clearance follows a Congressional appropriation last week of $2.6 million, which will enable officials to begin acquiring right-of-way for the parkway, Dean Sanderson, county engineer, said yesterday.
Clinton Parkway is a proposed extension of 2%d, west from Iowa. The 4.1-mile parkway connects Iowa with the north end of the Clinton Dam, which is currently under construction.
The $2.6-MILLION appropriation is part of $4.13 million that officials hope to receive from Congress. The total projected cost of the pavilw is $5.9 million.
The other $1.77 million needed to fund the project is to come from Douglass County and Kennebunk.
per cent of the remaining costs, or
100,000, and the city is to pay 40 per
cent, or 120,000.
INITIAL WORK on the right-of-way planning will involve field surveys, Sanderson said, with the Army Corps of Engineers studying gracies, ditches and slopes. In the office planning, officials will be ready to purchase right-of-way property, he said.
Purchase negotiations should begin in the fall of 1976.
"My guess would be that it will be at least late 1977 before any contracts (for constructive purposes)."
A QUARTER-MILE stretch of proposed right-of-way on 23rd is owned by the University of Kansas Endowment Association.
BRESSON HAS found an ideal story to illustrate his themes of self-denial and spiritual honor. As in earlier films, such as "Diary of a Country Priest" and "A Man Escapes," the director stresses the impossibility of the task.
University facilities on the land include an old school house, which is now used as a botany and entomology lab annex, and several football playing fields.
Martin Henry, property manager for the Endowment Association, said the purchase of right-of-way would have no significance for those University purposes.
"Poor mad Lancelot," sighs the frustrated Guinevere, "trying to stand firm in a shrunken world." This may also be the case of the centers on eternal purification through the most temporal of the arts. Nonetheless, "Lancelot du Lac" is a masterpiece and stands as first testimony to the value of ancient vision of a committed artist in cinema.
Senate ...
From page one
the administrative placement office and establishing a summer job clearing house.
The committee will work with the Union board on the development of the satellite union and assist the service organizations that are funded by the student activity fee.
Tashef recommended that the Sports committee consider merging men's and women's intercollegiate sports, work on a plan for purchasing joint football and basketball tickets at enrollment and discuss the title of Title IX on scholarships and awards.
It is also to represent student interests in the development of the new Recreational Advisory Board and the new recreational facility in Iowa, Clinton Reservoir and Robinson II.
THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
is accepting applications for the following positions:
PRESIDENT
VICE-PRESIDENT
TREASURER
And for Chairperson of each of the following committees:
Careers Human Sexuality Non-Traditional Students Political Action Communications & Publicity
Women and Religion Women's Recognition Women's Athletics Research Campus Health Care
If you have another topic of Interest, please contact Linda, 864-2221, or Joyce, 842-5251. Applications are available at the Dean of Women's Office, 222 Strong. They must be completed and returned by March 12, 1976.
This organization is funded from the Student Activity Fee
DEAN OF MEN
228 Strong Hall
864-3611
WANT TO HEAR SOMETHING THAT IS EALLY INCREDIBLE?
The offices of the Dean of Men and Dean of Women are proud to offer the students of the University of Kansas a Reading and Study Skills Program (RSSP) that provides an opportunity to improve reading and comprehension skills as well as an opportunity to learn effective study techniques.
Effective Reading and Comprehension Program
The ERP (Effective Reading Program) is similar to other commercial speed reading programs BUT very distinct in price! The Effective Reading Program is available to students at approximately ten percent (10%) of commercial offerings.
- Use of specially selected study improvement books. Most Residence Halls have RSSP Centers.
- Special Programs in Residence Halls throughout the year addressing a variety of Reading and Study concerns.
*45 handouts outlining Study Skills, Exam Taking Helpful Hints, and Writing Skills.
DEAN OF WOMEN
220 Strong Hall
864-3552
For more information come by or call:
The RSSP Coordinator in your Residence Hall or
At this price, it's no wonder why it goes so fast.
The 1976 Fiat 124 Spider. '5759 Base Price
FIAT
A lot of car. Not a lot of money.
John Haddock IMPORTS
23rd and Alabama
Ph.843-3500
Full service Fiat dealer.
Specialized parts and
service technicians..