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If I Were King

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6.8/10 • 11

1938-09-281h 41m

AdventureHistory

His Love-Making Was as Dangerous as His Sword-Play

King Louis XI masquerades as a commoner in Paris, seeking out the treachery he is sure lurks in his kingdom. At a local tavern, he overhears the brash poet François Villon extolling why he would be a better king. Annoyed yet intrigued, the King bestows on Villon the title of Grand Constable. Soon Villon begins work and falls for a lovely lady-in-waiting, but then must flee execution when the King turns on him.

Directors
Frank Lloyd
Editors
Hugh Bennett

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Ronald Colman

    Ronald Colman

    François Villon

  2. Basil Rathbone

    Basil Rathbone

    Louis XI

  3. Frances Dee

    Frances Dee

    Katherine de Vaucelles

  4. Ellen Drew

    Ellen Drew

    Huguette

  5. C. V. France

    C. V. France

    Father Villon

  6. Henry Wilcoxon

    Henry Wilcoxon

    Captain of the Watch

  7. Heather Thatcher

    Heather Thatcher

    The Queen

  8. Stanley Ridges

    Stanley Ridges

    Rene de Montigny

  9. Bruce Lester

    Bruce Lester

    Noel de Jolys

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jun 20, 2022

7/10

This is a cracking bit of swashbuckling adventure with Ronald Colman ("Villon") and particularly Basil Rathbone (Louis XI) on top form. The former is a poetic vagabond, Robin Hood style, character who pinches what he can to help feed the population of a besieged Paris, whilst their King sits in his palace living the life of Riley. When the King's personal store is raided, the King's guard step up their searches and it isn't long before "Villon" is apprehended. The King is a wily old buzzard, though, and realising potential in this man of the people, appoints him to command the city and his armies and before long the people begin to change their previously hostile views of Louis XI and everyone focuses on the looming Burgundian attacks. Coleman reminded me of Errol Flynn here; he displays a charming intimacy with both his colleagues and the audience that is engaging. Rathbone - who lost out on the Oscar to Walter Brennan for "Kentucky" (1938) - is also excellent as the shrewd monarch who must hold his kingdom together, despite some pretty obvious character flaws! Frank Lloyd keeps the whole thing moving along swiftly, with plenty of action, pithy dialogue and duplicity writ large. If you like the genre, then you ought to love this - I really enjoyed it.

Media

  • If I Were King poster
  • If I Were King poster
  • If I Were King poster
  • If I Were King poster
  • If I Were King poster
  • If I Were King poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
paris, francebased on novel or bookimprisonmentcowardicepoetromancetorturekingimpersonationnobilitystarvationpoorturncoat15th centurybattle of witsthievesleadershipwittyidealsbesieged cityrabble