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Poster for The Taking of Power by Louis XIV

The Taking of Power by Louis XIV

Seen it?

1966 | 95 min | Drama, History

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Les Misérables, start here.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 35 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1966: an older pace and style.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 9K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Roberto Rossellini

  • Jean-Marie PatteLouis XIV
  • Raymond JourdanJean Baptiste Colbert
  • SilvagniCardinal Mazarin
  • Katharina RennAnne d'Autriche
  • Dominique VincentMadame Du Plessis
  • Pierre BarratNicolas Fouquet
  • Fernand FabreMichel Le Tellier
  • Françoise PontyLouise de la Vallière
  • Joëlle LaugeoisMarie-Thérèse
  • Maurice BarrierD'Artagnan