Set in the seventeenth century, an Italian nobleman weds an impoverished countess, who is wooed by the King of Piedmont and faces pressure from his entire court to succumb to his wishes.
Read our editors' picks for the movies and shows we're watching in March, including "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," Boss Level, and Zack Snyder's Justice League.
Check out our gallery of the 2021 Golden Globe nominees in the leading and supporting acting categories, as the characters they so brilliantly played and in real life
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: The King's Whore (1990)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
4 nominations.
See more awards »
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Timothy Dalton | ... | King Vittorio Amadeo | |
| Valeria Golino | ... | Jeanne de Luynes | |
| Stéphane Freiss | ... | Count di Verua | |
| Robin Renucci | ... | Charles de Luynes | |
| Margaret Tyzack | ... | Dowager Countess | |
| Feodor Chaliapin Jr. | ... | Scaglia (as Feodor Chaliapin) | |
| Eleanor David | ... | Queen | |
| Paul Crauchet | ... | Duke de Luynes | |
| Arnoldo Foà | ... | 1st Priest | |
| Lea Padovani | ... | Countess Cumiana | |
| Anna Bonaiuto | ... | Countess Longhi | |
| Caterina Vertova | ... | Countess Bassani | |
| Federico Pacifici | ... | 1st Courtier | |
| Amy Werba | ... | Heloïse | |
| Francesca Reggiani | ... | Marie Christine | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (21) »
Storyline
The King of Piedmont is introduced to Jeanne, the beautiful young wife of one of his courtiers, with whom he falls madly in love the moment he sets eyes on her. Jeanne, very much in love with her own husband and wishing to be faithful to him, is disturbed by the king's advances and resists him. The king is obsessed with his desire for her and neglects his duties and his kingdom, until the entire court, including his wife and even Jeanne's own husband and his family, put pressure on Jeanne to give in to the king's wishes and become his mistress in order to save the king and the country. When her husband tells her it is her duty to serve the king and give in to his wishes, she goes to the king, but makes it very clear that she despises him and doesn't return his love for her. The king's passion for Jeanne never subsides and eventually goes so far that he loses a war when he returns home to nurse her through a near fatal illness instead of remaining with his troops and leading them in ...
Plot Keywords:
sword fight | refusal | obsessive love | fatal attraction | period drama |Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
Jeanne de Luynes: We would be happy anywhere your majesty.
Le Roi Vittorio Amadeo: You're very fortunate to believe that. People invest a lot of money arranging marriage contracts. If you're happy they'll think you've cheated them.
See more »
Written by Henry Purcell (as Purcell)
Performed by The Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra and The Equale Brass Ensemble
Directed by John Eliot Gardiner
Courtesy Erato Disques, SA, Paris, France
See more »
Did You Know?
Quotes
Le Roi Vittorio Amadeo: I hope you'll be happy here with us.Jeanne de Luynes: We would be happy anywhere your majesty.
Le Roi Vittorio Amadeo: You're very fortunate to believe that. People invest a lot of money arranging marriage contracts. If you're happy they'll think you've cheated them.
See more »
Soundtracks
Music for the funeral of Queen MaryWritten by Henry Purcell (as Purcell)
Performed by The Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra and The Equale Brass Ensemble
Directed by John Eliot Gardiner
Courtesy Erato Disques, SA, Paris, France
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Release Date:
14 November 1990 (France) See more »Also Known As:
The King's Whore See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
This is an outstanding, breathtaking history which astonished me. I recorded this film when it was emited on TV and I watch it 4 days a week. I know it could be strange to you, but I love this story. It is so moving. It's a masterpiece. The actors, the screenplay, th dialogues! Valeria Golino and Timothy Dalton are gorgeous. It doesn't matter who and what tells about this film - I love it!