Lancelot: Guardian of Time

Encountered this one insomniac night on HBO, really just looking for something to fall asleep to.

It wasn't good for that, as it kept on engaging my attention. Partly it was the cast; Katherine, the female lead, was played by the actress who played Ivanova on "Babylon 5," and I've always liked her; Sir Lancelot was played by the actor who was Dar in the "Beastmaster" movies -- he was always fun, and is so here as well. But more, it's the quirky plot and the movie's concept, which is that maybe gallantry and just plain being the good guys ought to be given another chance; sort of the Susan Faludi who's saying that men need a break meets, well, Sir Lancelot.

The movie would seem a likely candidate for being the kind of live-action cartoon that, say, "Xena" amounts to, but always edges away from that. Lancelot is played with a strangely compelling dignity that draws one's attention (and makes one think that possibly there's still a future for the actor), and the young Arthur is appropriately clueless in the "Once and Future King" mode. The interaction of the medieval characters with the Twentieth Century is not particularly well investigated, but some decent moments come from it.

Overall, a fun way to spend a couple of hours, albeit that it's understandable that the Academy overlooked this movie. Give it a try.

Marc Singer has to say some pretty stylized dialog in this film -- and darn if he doesn't make it stick: he speaks like a man who truly believes what he says. Surprising that Claudia Christian isn't a bigger name, as she navigates a fairly tricky balance between types, a decade before she voiced Adrianne Avenicci in Skyrim. John Saxon delivers yet another beautiful performance, villainous without feeling like a parody. Watching this for the second time, I found myself marveling at how convincing all the principals are, regardless of the wha-huh? Qualities of the plot. (And yes, I had also just been re-watching Beastmaster, why do you ask?)

How is it I ask myself, that a Z-grader like this, offering absolutely nothing innovative except maybe John Saxon prostituting his art, special fx from a bunch of six year olds with a slate-board, fully embarrassing fight-scenes, King Arthur running round like one of "The Goodies,' cringe-worthy dialog and bottom of the harbor production values, actually puts many mega-budgeted flicks to shame? I guffawed at the childish antics, shrieked with laughter at the would-be sincerity and just about called the paramedics when Lancelot swapped his trusty steed for a Mustang convertible.....but yet, I kept watching it ...and after a while I felt guilty for mentally trashing the thing, even hoping that Lance and Kate might get to share a pash or so. I was made aware of the child in me and how everything learned during adulthood counts for zilch ultimately.

Much of the complete innocence and appeal of this strangely gentle film is due to Singer's awesomely focused role as Lancelot of the Round Table displaced in time but not purpose. Surrounded by Z-grade everything - from actors to props. Singer stands unflinchingly tall and trustworthy....everything in fact that Lancelot ever represented.

To it's everlasting credit, the film offers no blood (the fight scenes are played for laughs rather than pain) not a skerrick of bad language and good of course triumphs (gently) over evil. It is a film that could cause no offense to any living person. Watching it, I was reminded very much of Shelly Duvall's "Faerie Tale Theater." If you want to laugh at this - feel free, just make sure though you're not actually laughing at yourself!

This isn't the kind of film that would have had a big theatrical showing, although I did see it several times on HBO. Nor is it the kind of film that will be easy to find in a video store. Which is too bad. This is a little charmer. Not a large budget, so the film relies on character. And in this case the characters are a lot of fun. We have seen the hero pulled from the past into the present before, but Marc Singer plays Lancelot with such seriousness that we really believe him. This is Lancelot the way we want to see him, concerned with righting wrongs and vanquishing evil. Without all that angst about Guenevere.

The villain, played by John Saxon, is another great characterization. This just demonstrates again why Mr. Saxon is one of the best "B" movie actors around. I was always a fan of his and it is nice to see him still having fun with a part.

If you can find this film for rent it is well worth the time.

I am ALWAYS a sucker for anything to do with Marc Singer! From V: The Mini-Series to Beastmaster III! This movie did not disappoint me in any way. I found it refreshing and wholesome, but not sickeningly so. It was funny in just the right places and dramatic where it needed to be. I am also a sucker for anything Arthurian in nature and Marc Singer makes the best Lancelot I have seen in quite a while! Claudia Christian is also one of my favorites and her performance was perfection and more! This movie had no sex, mild violence, mild cursing and lots of fun! If you enjoy a movie that everyone can watch, I would recommend that you watch this one! My hat is off to the cast and crew of this one! Thank you for making a movie that I can enjoy with a roomful of people!