The Mighty Oliphaunt (Karel ende Elegast)

Screenplay by Elena van Eeden, Martin Lagestee and Michael Baker, based on an original screenplay by Gerard Soeteman
 
Based on the medieval Dutch chanson the geste Karel ende Elegast.
Time: 800 A.D. Place: The Kingdom of the Franks under Charles the Great (Charlemagne).

The Mighty Oliphaunt is the romantic story of Elegast, son of a farmer, who falls in love with Gothelind, the daughter of King Charlemagne, after he rescues her from drowning in a bog. But instead of receiving a reward he ends up in prison.

His luck changes when King Charles, fearing for a conspiracy, issues a quest for the Horn of Roeland, the ultimate symbol of allegiance to the King. The Horn was last seen when Roeland was ambushed by the Saracens in Spain. The award: a castle AND the hand of Charles’ daughter Gothelind.

With the help of Gothelind Elegast escapes from his prison and becomes one of the competitors in the quest. He sets off to the land of the Saracens, where he manages to recapture the Horn very cleverly and with great dexterity. On his way home however, he is ambushed by Canelon, an important knight at Charles’s court, who steals the Horn from him.

Canelon presents the Horn to the King as if he has captured it himself, and is awarded the castle and – much against her will – the hand of Gothelind.

In the meantime Elegast, who barely escaped, is caught by a gang of robbers who start using him as a packhorse, but soon adopt him as their new leader.

Gothelind discovers that Canelon is laying a plot against her father. After Elegast abducts her from Canelon’s castle, together they warn King Charles. With the help of Gothelind and Elegast and his gang, Charles apprehends Canelon and his accomplices.

Canelon however denies all accusations. A divine judgement, by means of a duel between Canelon and Elegast, will determine who is the villainous liar and who the real hero…