The Taking of Power by Louis XIV

1966 1h 35m FR

👍

7.1

SOLID

★7.1TMDB · 54

DramaHistory

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Cardinal Mazarin dies, leaving a power vacuum in which the young Louis asserts his intention to govern as well as rule. Mazarin's fiscal advisor, Colbert, warns against Fouquet, the Superintendant who has been systematically looting the treasury and wants to be prime minister. Fouquet believes Louis will soon tire of exercizing power and overplays his hand by offering a bribe to Louis' mistress to be his ally. She reports this to the king who arrests Fouquet. Louis and Colbert design a brilliant strategy to keep merchants making money, nobles in debt, the urban poor working and fed, and peasants untaxed.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

Criterion ChannelSubscription

Cast

Jean-Marie Patte
Louis XIV
Raymond Jourdan
Jean Baptiste Colbert
Silvagni
Cardinal Mazarin
Katharina Renn
Anne d'Autriche
Dominique Vincent
Madame Du Plessis
Pierre Barrat
Nicolas Fouquet
Fernand Fabre
Michel Le Tellier
Françoise Ponty
Louise de la Vallière

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Roberto Rossellini
Writers: Michelle Podroznik, Philippe Erlanger, Roberto Rossellini
Languages: French
Countries: France

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 6

ERA

Did you know

60 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Roberto Rossellini, shot by Jean-Louis Picavet. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Armand Ridel shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 6

CAST

Did you know

Jean-Marie Patte and Raymond Jourdan and Silvagni carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 6

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0060860 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 6

WILD

Did you know

Only 54 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Roberto Rossellini directs. Jean-Louis Picavet behind the camera. Armand Ridel cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in France. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

160 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2Directed by Roberto Rossellini, shot by Jean-Louis Picavet. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Editor Armand Ridel shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
4Jean-Marie Patte and Raymond Jourdan and Silvagni carry the top of the cast.
5IMDB entry: tt0060860 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
6Only 54 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.