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The Taking of Power by Louis XIV poster

The Taking of Power by Louis XIV

La Prise de pouvoir par Louis XIV

1966 · 1h 35m · Drama, History · France

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, Jean Gruault, Roberto Rossellini
Starring
Jean-Marie Patte, Raymond Jourdan, Silvagni, Katharina Renn
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6.5Smart score

The TMDB rating, pulled toward the movie average (6.03) as if it had 82 extra average votes. Few votes means more pull.

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54 TMDB votes · IMDb page

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Criterion Channel: available in 2 countries
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Style & content

17th centurybiopicfrench historylouis xivmonarchy

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