Roland des Roncesvalles is a legendary knight from the age of chivalry in France. In the 11th-century epic La Chanson de Roland, he is depicted as a key figure in halting the advance of the Arabs into France. In this story, the 10th-century legend is staged by a group of 12th-century pilgrims using the 11th-century poem. Their acting is interrupted by a violent peasant uprising, which kills many of the pilgrims. However, one of the survivors, is converted to the peasant cause and later speaks out in favor of more just treatment for the downtrodden.
Klaus Kinski
as Roland / Klaus
Alain Cuny
as Turpin/der Mönch
Dominique Sanda
as Anna
Pierre Clémenti
as Olivier / Le clerc
Jean-Pierre Kalfon
as Marsile / Turold / Charlemagne
Monique Mercure
as Marie
Niels Arestrup
as Le commerçant / Oton
Serge Merlin
as Pair Marsile / Ganelon / Thierry
László Szabó
as Duc Naimes / Chevalier hongrois
Mario Gonzales
as Blancandrin / Jeannot, le voleur
Yvan Labejoff
as Turgis / L'esclave noir
Isabelle Mercanton
as Femme commercant
