The Legend Of Percival...And His Search For the Holy Grail

Ostensibly aimed at junior high age to mid-teens, this iconographic animated retelling of the legend of Percival offers the equivalent of a comic-book version of the 13th century German poet Wolfram von Eschenbach's epic Parzival. Lacking the wit and rich medieval subtexts of courtly love and rules of chivalry found in Eschenbach, The Legend of Percival--the cartoon--combines static pictures with melodramatic narration to tell the highlights of Percival's quest for knighthood. We follow Percival as he manhandles a maiden early on, defeats the dreaded Red Knight, meets the Fisher King and sees the Holy Grail (Christ's chalice from the Last Supper--though in Eschenbach the Grail is a stone not a cup), pledges his devotion to Blanche Fleur, and jousts with three of King Arthur's knights. The program concludes with a religious message under cover of a performance of the Passion Play. My guess is that this is not going to wean anyone away from X-Men; besides, I'm not entirely convinced that medieval aggression--polite or not--is the best role model for young boys today. Not a necessary purchase. (R. Pitman)