Angélique (1964)
"Angélique, marquise des anges" (original title)

In the first of the Angélique series, the beautiful feisty teenage heroine becomes entangled in a political assassination plot and is betrothed to a stranger who is twelve years her senior and a reputed sorcerer.

Director:

Bernard Borderie

Writers:

Anne Golon (novel), Serge Golon (novel),

Stars:

Michèle Mercier, Robert Hossein, Jean Rochefort

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michèle Mercier	...	Angélique Sancé de Monteloup
Robert Hossein	...	Jeoffrey de Peyrac
Jean Rochefort	...	Desgrez
Claude Giraud	...	Philippe de Plessis-Bellieres
Giuliano Gemma	...	Nicolas
Charles Regnier	...	Conan Becher
Jacques Toja	...	Louis XIV
Madeleine Lebeau	...	La Grande Demoiselle
Jean Topart	...	Bourié
Bernard Woringer	...	Bernard D'Andijos
Philippe Lemaire	...	De Vardes
Jean Ozenne	...	Le marquis de Plessis-Bellières
François Maistre	...	Le prince de Condé
Robert Porte	...	Monsieur
Etchika Choureau	...	Hortense

Storyline

In this first part of the Angélique cycle, set in Mid-17th century France under the young Sun King Louis XIV, still struggling for his throne, while beggars and brigands roam the country, Angélique de Sancé de Monteloup, fifth child of an impoverished country nobleman in the Poitou marshlands, expected to struggle for a meager subsistence, educated in a nunnery, is betrothed at 17 to Joffrey de Peyrac, the 12 years older rich but cripple Comte de (count of) Peyrac de Morens and seigneur (Lord) of Toulouse, scarred in the face and said to be a sorcerer, in fact practicing oriental mining techniques which make his vast fortune. For the sake of her family, Angélique reluctantly agrees to the match but refuses the advances of her husband, who does not enforce his conjugal rights, wishing only to win her heart. As Angelique gradually discovers virtuous Peyrac's remarkable talents as scientist, musician and philosopher, she falls passionately in love with him. Joffrey's unusual way of life ...

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Plot Keywords:

king louis xiv | mining | conspiracy | inquisition | noblewoman | 

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Genres:

Adventure | History | Romance

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Details

Country:

France West Germany Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

8 December 1964 (France)

Also Known As:

Angélique

Filming Locations:

Abbaye de Fontenay, Montbard, Côte-d'Or, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compagnie Industrielle et Commerciale Cinématographique (CICC), Fono Roma, Franco London Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Italian censorship visa # 44361 delivered on 18-12-1964.

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Connections

Followed by Untamable Angelique (1967)

User Reviews

A breathtaking spectacle

I really do not understand how it is possible that one of the greatest movie series of 1960`s has got such a small amount of comments on this site. This opening movie of the five-part series is in my opinion one of the best. We can see a successful portrayal of rural France of 17th century, the splendour of the golden age of Lous XIV., the debauchery of the court of Versailles etc. Michelle Mercier is simply beautiful, Toja as Louis XIV. is very good as well. The film features some very well-acted scenes. I can recommend it to anyone who loves historical spectacles. This is one of the best ever filmed, I have doubts whether the present film-makers would manage to match it!