One of the most popular adventure films in world cinema is Angelica and the King. The actors participating in the filming of this film brought fame not only in France, but also abroad. The film was released in 1966, was nominated for the Golden Screen Award.
But it is precisely audience recognition that is the main achievement of the creators of the historical and adventurous film "Angelica and the King." The cast, plot and interesting facts are presented in the article.
Main roles
About thirty years ago, everyone knew the name of the leading woman in the film "Angelica and the King." The actor who played Geoffrey de Peirac was no less famous. Today, the star of the cinema of the 60s is somewhat forgotten. At least outside of France. So, who played the lead roles in the movie Angelica and the King? Actors Michelle Mercier and Robert Hossein.
Michel Mercier starred in more than fifty films. She tried in vain to get away from the cinematic stereotype imposed on her after the release of the movie Angelica and the King. The actor and the role played successfully, are sometimes inseparable. The directors stopped seeing anyone other than Angelica in Mercier. All her subsequent works in the cinema were hardly noticeable.
Robert Hossein, unlike the partner on the set, was able to realize his acting potential. In 1956, he played Raskolnikov in the French film adaptation of Dostoevsky’s novel. Then there were many different roles. And after the release of the last episode of Angelica, the actor received many offers from the directors. Hossein played in such films as Les Miserables, Day of Reckoning, and Wax Mask.
It is worth telling about the plot of the film "Angelica and the King." Actors who played other characters will be named later.
Louis's design
“Angelica and the King” is a film adaptation of the famous novel by Anne and Serge Golon. The film takes place in France, during the reign of Louis XIV. Angelica loses her husband, Marquis Philippe de Plessis-Belleri, who dies in the war against the Dutch. She goes to the estate of her husband, where she leads a calm lifestyle: brings up children, participates in horse riding.
At this time, the Persian Ambassador Bachiari Bey decides to visit France. Louis, taking this opportunity, wants to sign an agreement with Persia. This issue cannot be settled diplomatically, and Louis decides to go the other way. He asks Angelica to charm the ambassador and help him establish cooperation with him. The Queen of Versailles - Madame de Montespan - fears that Angelica intends to win the king’s heart, therefore she is negative about her arrival.
Angelica, with the permission of Louis, returns to the house of the first husband of Joffrey, who was executed. According to some signs, the marquise begins to doubt that the execution took place. It seems to her that Geoffrey is still alive, but this is only speculation.
Diplomat from persia
The ambassador draws attention to Angelica and invites the girl to his mansion. Bachiari Bey behaves rudely and cynically. Meanwhile, Louis from the police learns that the ambassador brutally cracked down on a dozen French women. He was about to send dragoons to Angelica for help, but he stopped, thereby exchanging the fate of the marquise for maintaining a friendly relationship with the ambassador.
King's favorite
Help comes from the Hungarian prince Ferenc Rakoczy, who wrests Angelica from the hands of the ambassador. It turns out that the prince has long and secretly in love with the marquise. They are developing a plan for further action. In parallel with these events, the ambassador nevertheless decides to sign an agreement with France, but only if he gets it. The king makes a knight's move, declaring Angelica his favorite. But this was not included in the plans of the marquise, what will she do?
The film is thought out to the smallest detail, starting from the selection of actors and ending with magnificent costumes. Stunning field shooting, picturesque places of Paris allow you to feel like a hero of this story, from the side watching the events. The film also featured Jean Rochefort, Samy Frey, Claude Giraud, Jacques Tozha, Jean Parede, Pasquale Martino, Fred Williams, Estella Blen.