Vive Henri IV... vive l'amour! (1961)

Director:

Claude Autant-Lara

Writers:

Jean Aurenche, Henri Jeanson

Stars:

Francis Claude, Danièle Gaubert, Jean Sorel

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Francis Claude	...	Henri IV
Danièle Gaubert	...	Charlotte de Montmorency
Jean Sorel	...	Le prince de Condé
Roger Hanin	...	Ravaillac
Armand Mestral	...	Bassompierre
Vittorio De Sica	...	L'ambassadeur d'Espagne
Danielle Darrieux	...	Henriette d'Entragues
Simone Renant	...	Charlotte de Trémoille
Pierre Brasseur	...	Le connétable de Montmorency
Bernard Blier	...	Sully
Nicole Courcel	...	Jacqueline de Bueil
Francis Blanche	...	Le prieur
Melina Mercouri	...	Marie de Médicis
Julien Carette	...	Epernon
Jean Danet	...	Concino Concini

Storyline

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

5 April 1961 (France)

Also Known As:

Long Live Henry IV... Long Live Love

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hoche Productions, Da.Ma. Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

Long live love!

"Vive Henri IV ,vive l'amour" is part of Autant-Lara's weak era (roughly from 1958 to 1961) an era when he was filming rubbish.They say he had to accept the dirty work to be able to make his "Tu ne Tueras Point" (1961-1963) ,the only French film dealing with conscientious objection.

"Vive Henri IV ,vive l'Amour" looks like a poor man's Guitry in spite of Jeanson who occasionally comes up with one good line or two.It's cardboard characters history ;they are as much alive as in a wax museum .Some actors have only one scene or two (Blier as Sully,Danielle Darrieux,Nicole Courcel).The plot revolves around the king's desire for Mademoiselle de Montmorency who could be his granddaughter (she's 17,he's 57).He marries her to Prince de Condé,provided that His Majesty will replace him for the wedding night.But young handsome Condé is not prepared to accept it and he runs away with his wife to the monarch's great displeasure.

Overall,it is entertaining stuff ;if you forget history, Melina Mercouri who overplays as queen Marie de Medicis,and an unpleasant scene in a monastery where Condé is mistaken for a homosexual,the rest is bawdy moderately enjoyable stuff.If you do not ask too much,you can watch...