Perceval le Gallois () is a 1978 historical drama film written and directed by Éric Rohmer, based on the 12th-century Arthurian romance Perceval, the Story of the Grail by Chrétien de Troyes. Synopsis The film chronicles Percival's knighthood, maturation and eventual peerage amongst the Knights of the Round Table, and also contains brief episodes from the story of Gawain and the crucifixion of Christ. Cast Fabrice Luchini as Perceval André Dussolier as Gauvain Arielle Dombasle as Blanchefleur Marie Rivière as Garin's daughter Pascale de Boysson as widow lady Presentation Unlike other screen adaptations of Arthurian legend, the film makes no attempt at situating the characters in a natural or supernatural world. Instead, Perceval and his cohorts inhabit a colorful theatrical realm replete with rudimentary props, stylized backdrops, and a singing chorus that participates in the drama. At many points, characters narrate their own actions and thoughts rather than expressing them manifestly, and dialog is frequently spoken lyrically in rhyming couplets taken directly from the original text. The film's deliberate artificiality, ironic vision of youthful valor, and frequently shifting narrative modes prevent emotional attachment to the story while leaving space for a more cerebral engagement with the elements of storytelling Rohmer has interpreted from 12th-century literature. References External links 1978 films 1970s French-language films 1970s historical drama films Arthurian films Films based on French novels Films based on poems Films based on works by Chrétien de Troyes Films directed by Éric Rohmer Films produced by Barbet Schroeder Films produced by Margaret Ménégoz Films shot in Île-de-France French historical drama films German historical drama films Italian historical drama films West German films Works based on Perceval, the Story of the Grail 1970s French films 1970s Italian films 1970s German films