The Beloved Rogue

Unrated

3/12/19271h 39m

Theatrical Release (US)

Overview:

François Villon, in his lifetime the most renowned poet in France, is also a prankster, an occasional criminal, and an ardent patriot.

Director:

Alan Crosland

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

france
paris, france
swordplay
catapult
prank
food
torture
king
theft
patriot
martyr
adventurer
françois villon
burgundy
forced marriage
15th century

Cast

John Barrymore

~ as ~

François Villon

Conrad Veidt

~ as ~

King Louis XI

Marceline Day

~ as ~

Charlotte de Vauxcelles

Lawson Butt

~ as ~

Duke of Burgundy

Henry Victor

~ as ~

Thibault d'Aussigny

Slim Summerville

~ as ~

Jehan

Angelo Rossitto

~ as ~

Beppo - the Dwarf

Nigel De Brulier

~ as ~

Astrologer

Lucy Beaumont

~ as ~

Villon's Mother

Otto Matieson

~ as ~

Olivier

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

CinemaSerf
Written 3 year(s) ago
7
If you've seen "If I Were King" (either the 1920 or 1938 version), or read Sir Walter Scott's "Quentin Durward" (1823) then you will be familiar with the basis of this quite enjoyable, if a little slow, historical drama. François Villon (John Barrymore) is the populist poet who falls foul of King Louis XI (Conrad Veidt) when he offends the visiting Charles, Duke of Burgundy (Lawson Butt). Banished from Paris as a punishment, he must use his popularity - he has just been elected "King of the Fools" - and his contacts at the Court of Miracles, the ultimate den of iniquity, to keep his country from the encroaching Burgundians. Weidt steals this for me. He plays the shrewdly decrepit monarch remarkably well. Marceline Day is also quite fun as the pretty, and feisty, "Charlotte", the young girl to be traded to one of Charles' lieutenants "Thibault" (Henry Victor). Barrymore reminded me of a "Puck" style of character, mercurial and engaging with a sharp blade (and tongue) when required, and his efforts pay off well, most of the time. Apparently the bairn at the start is the young Dickie Moore whom you might recall from his 1933 title role in “Oliver Twist” - when he was but eight years old. It's a good watch, this film, and the inter-titles convey his wittily structured poetry effectively. I could just have done with a little more swashbuckling and a little less gymnastics.