This hallucinatory yuletide fantasy baffled audiences on release, yet remains one of the greatest films in Arthurian cinema. And, yes, it’s a Christmas movie. Fight me.
I liked Rohmer's Percival pretty well. I don't feel that Excalibur has aged, but check out Liam Neeson talking about his first sight of Helen Mirren as Morgan le Fay.
In the 1960s, I saw a tv retelling of Sir Gawain and the Loathly Damsel (similar to the Wife of Bath's tale) but I the internet does not yield any indication of what that might be. It was right after I read Once and Future King, so I was susceptible. If anyone knows what I saw, I would love to rediscover it.
But I agree that Green Knight has the weirdness found in a lot of early Arthuriana: try the wildly antisemitic Perlesvaus in which Arthur's son has a penchant of sleeping with the head of a foe he has just slain. (Sir Kay murders the kid and steals the head, which leads to the death of Guinevere. Wild stuff.)
Not sure I've ever seen the Eric Rohmer movie, though I still love Excalibur for its crazy intensity. Very fond memories of T.H. White's beautiful writing in the first book of Once and Future King. Must admit, I'm probably more familiar with Greek myth than I am with Matter of Britain, but its mystery just makes it feel all the more enticing. If I ever find out anything about that 1960s Gawain show I'll get back to you. Thanks for reading, copans.
I have to admit that this movie didn't do anything for me when I watched it (and I was REALLY excited for it). After reading your review, I'll have to give it another try an see!
I've always loved the Green Knight legends - in large part because of their weirdness. Sounds like this film does them justice. It had completely passed me by, but I'll definitely be watching now. Wonderfully entertaining review!
I liked Rohmer's Percival pretty well. I don't feel that Excalibur has aged, but check out Liam Neeson talking about his first sight of Helen Mirren as Morgan le Fay.
In the 1960s, I saw a tv retelling of Sir Gawain and the Loathly Damsel (similar to the Wife of Bath's tale) but I the internet does not yield any indication of what that might be. It was right after I read Once and Future King, so I was susceptible. If anyone knows what I saw, I would love to rediscover it.
But I agree that Green Knight has the weirdness found in a lot of early Arthuriana: try the wildly antisemitic Perlesvaus in which Arthur's son has a penchant of sleeping with the head of a foe he has just slain. (Sir Kay murders the kid and steals the head, which leads to the death of Guinevere. Wild stuff.)
Not sure I've ever seen the Eric Rohmer movie, though I still love Excalibur for its crazy intensity. Very fond memories of T.H. White's beautiful writing in the first book of Once and Future King. Must admit, I'm probably more familiar with Greek myth than I am with Matter of Britain, but its mystery just makes it feel all the more enticing. If I ever find out anything about that 1960s Gawain show I'll get back to you. Thanks for reading, copans.
I have to admit that this movie didn't do anything for me when I watched it (and I was REALLY excited for it). After reading your review, I'll have to give it another try an see!
I've always loved the Green Knight legends - in large part because of their weirdness. Sounds like this film does them justice. It had completely passed me by, but I'll definitely be watching now. Wonderfully entertaining review!
Thanks, T K. Yeah, a great if challenging film.
Such a weird and fascinating movie. I first saw it on a plane, which was a weird enough situation as it was...
On a plane? Wow! That would be a suitably liminal space in which to watch it, for sure. :D
I'm not a big fan of Arthuriana, but I love Green Knight and Robert Bresson's Lancelot du Lac.
Not seen Lancelot du Lac in years. Pretty sure Lowery cited at as another influence on Green Knight! Thanks for reading!
THIS. Was good. Yes I will watch it again.
Thanks for making the time to write it. And thanks to everyone who made this film.