The king loses his head, but this film keeps its crown — 1789's hottest mess.
Part 1: In May 1789, in Versailles, a game tug of war takes place between conservative and more progressive bigwigs. Part 2: As the people of Paris revolt, King Louis XVI finds it increasingly difficult to get the situation under control.
Acting
Bruno Cremer's Louis — sweating, stammering, doomed.
Production
Versailles recreated with obsessive period accuracy.
Writing
Political chess that makes Succession look simple.
Director
Lazare Iglesis
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Bruno Cremer spent weeks studying Louis XVI's actual handwriting to nail the king's timid physicality.
Released during France's 1989 bicentennial frenzy, this was the 'serious' alternative to the musical Les Misérables dominating theatres.
FR
