#456: ROSSELLINI, Roberto: The Taking Of Power By Louis XIV (1966)

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ROSSELLINI, Roberto (Italy)
The Taking Of Power By Louis XIV [1966]
Spine #456
DVD


Filmmaking legend Roberto Rossellini brings his passion for realism and his unerring eye for the everyday to this portrait of the early years of the reign of France's Sun King, and in the process reinvents the costume drama. The death of the chief minister Cardinal Mazarin, the construction of the Palace of Versailles, the extravagant meals of the royal court; all are recounted with the same careful, humane attention that marked the director's contemporary portraits of postwar Italy. The Taking of Power by Louis XIV dares to place a larger-than-life figure at the level of mere mortal.

94 minutes
Color
Monaural
in French
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2008
Director/Writers


Written and adapted by Philippe Erlanger and Jean Gruault.

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Sixteen-page booklet featuring an essay by critic Colin MacCabe.

Commentary

None.

Taking Power

A multimedia essay by Tag Gallagher, author of The Adventures of Roberto Rossellini.
Video interview 1

With artistic adviser Jean-Dominique de La Rochefoucauld and script supervisor Michelle Podroznik.
Video interview 2

With second-unit director Renzo Rossellini, Roberto’s son.
Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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