Backdrop image for movie The Taking of Power by Louis XIV

The Taking of Power by Louis XIV (1966)

Cardinal Mazarin dies, leaving a power vacuum in which the young Louis asserts his intention to govern as well as rule. Mazarin's fiscal advisor, Colbert, warns against Fouquet, the Superintendant who has been systematically looting the treasury and wants to be prime minister. Fouquet believes Louis will soon tire of exercizing power and overplays his hand by offering a bribe to Louis' mistress to be his ally. She reports this to the king who arrests Fouquet. Louis and Colbert design a brilliant strategy to keep merchants making money, nobles in debt, the urban poor working and fed, and peasants untaxed.

  • Drama
  • History

Top billed cast

  • Photo of Jean-Marie PatteJean-Marie PatteLouis XIV
  • Photo of Raymond JourdanRaymond JourdanJean Baptiste Colbert
  • Photo of SilvagniSilvagniCardinal Mazarin
  • Photo of Katharina RennKatharina RennAnne d'Autriche
  • Photo of Dominique VincentDominique VincentMadame Du Plessis
  • Photo of Pierre BarratPierre BarratNicolas Fouquet
  • Photo of Fernand FabreFernand FabreMichel Le Tellier
  • Photo of Françoise PontyFrançoise PontyLouise de la Vallière
  • Photo of Joëlle LaugeoisJoëlle LaugeoisMarie-Thérèse
  • Photo of Maurice BarrierMaurice BarrierD'Artagnan

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