The Taking of Power by Louis XIV
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.
Directed by Roberto Rossellini · Written by Philippe Erlanger
Where to Watch
Streaming
Cast
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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
- Joëlle Laugeois Marie-Thérèse
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Maurice Barrier D'Artagnan -
André Dumas Le Père Joly - François Mirante M. de Brienne
Make it a double feature
3h 17m together
The Taking of Power by Louis XIV
The Night of Counting the Years
Both from Roberto Rossellini.
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