A Cursed Monarchy (2005– )
"Les rois maudits" (original title)

Based on the novel of the same name by Maurice Druon, Les Rois maudits (The Cursed Kings) is the second television adaptation of this seven-volume book which is widely agreed to be an ... See full summary »

Stars:

Jeanne Moreau, Claude Rich, Line Renaud

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jeanne Moreau	...	Mahaut d'Artois (5 episodes, 2005)

Storyline

Based on the novel of the same name by Maurice Druon, Les Rois maudits (The Cursed Kings) is the second television adaptation of this seven-volume book which is widely agreed to be an accurate representation of actual events. It is the early 1300's and the treasury of France, under the rule of Philippe IV (Philippe le Bel or Philippe the Beautiful), is empty. The king decides the only solution is to raid the treasures of the Knights Templar (amongst others) and concocts various charges of treason, heresy and deviance against the Knights and their Grand Master Jacques de Molay. Having confessed under torture to the crimes of which he is accused, de Molay is condemned to be burned at the stake. With his dying breath he curses the king, the king's advisor (Guillaume de Nogaret), the pope (Pope Clement V) and the thirteen succeeding generations of their families. There follows one of the most dramatic periods in French history, half a century of political intrigue, murder, treason, war ...

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Plot Keywords:

burned at the stake | knight templar | murder | lesbian interest | royalty | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

France 2 [fr]

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French Italian

Release Date:

7 November 2005 (France)

Also Known As:

A Cursed Monarchy

Filming Locations:

Château de Pierrefonds, Pierrefonds, Oise, France

Box Office

Budget:

€18,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Castel Film Romania, France 2 (FR2), France 2 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

500 min 500 min (5 parts)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Remake of Les rois maudits (1972)

User Reviews

An entertaining telling of an interesting period of history

Firstly I must state I have only seen part 1 of an apparent 5 part series.

And I am glad I did. I have great interest in this period of history and - told by the French - in French - made it all the more enjoyable.

The production is sublime with modern ... improvements like the lighting in castles sometimes obviously artificial (ie: not mere torches) and some racy female costumes (for the period).

The acting was excellent and includes long time favorites like Gerard - and the actress that plays Queen Isabelle is so pretty.

Generally this story is based on fact.

Unless part 2 is awful (doubtful) I am hooked already.

Recommended!