Angélique

There are 5 movies in the Angélique saga:
1. Angélique, marquise des anges (1964)
2. Merveilleuse Angélique (1965)
3. Angélique et le roy (1966)
4. Indomptable Angélique (1967)
5. Angélique et le sultan (1968)

which all were directed by Bernard Borderie. I haven't read the books, but I enjoyed watching the 5 movies. I like the first movie the most, in which we are introduced to the heroine. Angélique Sancé de Monteloup is told that her future husband, Joffrey de Peyrac, is old and hideous (but very rich, of course). On the wedding day, she finds that Joffrey is actually not that old, but his face is scarred and he has a limp. Gradually she learns to love him because he does not only can produce pure gold, but is also very kind. People who work for him will not hesitate to die for him, if needed. Their happiness is shattered when a monk accuses Joffrey of practising witchcraft, and King Louis XIV himself is jealous of Joffrey's wealth.

The saga starts with Angélique as a teenager with her playmate Nicholas, who later will help her after Joffrey's death at the stake, and goes on with her success as a business woman and a diplomat. Although she marries again to her cousin Le marquis de Plessis-Bellières, Angélique's great love is still Joffrey. Being the most beautiful woman in France does not always bring happiness, for she suffers several rapes, almost becomes a victim due to female jealousy, and at last she is sold and kidnapped for Sultan Moulay-El-Raschid. The last ending is not very satisfying to me; I hoped she was rescued by The Rescator and not the sultan's guards. In all, this series is a enjoyable adventure.


The theme song is beautifully nice and Robert Hossein, who plays Joffrey, has a melancholic look. The cast is perfect. One memorable scene: Angélique, Joffrey, and the statue.