New Showbiz

You are here:
Angelique and the King

Angelique and the King

1966

Director

Bernard Borderie

Runtime

100 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Soon after her latest husband death, the King himself (Louis XIV) meets with our heroine and begs her to help convince the Persian Ambassador to agree to a treaty. However, what they didn't realize was that the handsome Persian was in fact a sexual sadist. So, it is up to the King's half- brother, some Hungarian prince, to save Angélique from the evil troll's clutches.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.4/10

Limited

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The story focuses on heteronormative romantic and political tensions. There is no evidence of non-cisnormative identities or critiques of traditional romantic structures.

Gender Representation

Fair

Angélique possesses high agency as a diplomatic driver, yet the plot relies on the damsel in distress trope. Her safety is ultimately secured by a male counterpart.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

International elements appear through a Persian Ambassador and a Hungarian prince. However, the Ambassador is framed through a villainous, potentially exoticized lens.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The film celebrates the grandeur of the French monarchy and royal hierarchies. It operates strictly within the framework of traditional Western historical institutions.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities portrayed or utilized as plot devices within the narrative.

Strengths

  • The female protagonist, Angélique, is granted significant agency and a central role in diplomatic maneuvering.
  • The film introduces international characters, such as a Persian Ambassador and a Hungarian prince, providing some ethnic variety.

Areas for Improvement

  • The narrative relies on the 'damsel in distress' trope to resolve conflicts through male characters.
  • International characters risk being framed through exoticized or villainous tropes common to mid-century cinema.
  • The story adheres strictly to traditional Western hierarchies and heteronormative romantic structures.

AI Analysis

Angélique and the King is a traditional historical adventure that centers on the power and grandeur of the French monarchy. While the film provides a strong female lead who navigates complex political waters, the narrative structure remains tethered to mid-century genre conventions. The film's approach to international characters serves the plot's conflict rather than offering nuanced cultural exploration. The inclusion of diverse figures often serves to reinforce existing hierarchies or provide a villainous foil for the protagonists. Ultimately, the film prioritizes romanticized historical escapades over systemic deconstruction, leaning heavily on established tropes of the era.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.