The Taking of Power by Louis XIV

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.

Director: Roberto Rossellini

Cast

Jean-Marie Patte

Louis XIV

Raymond Jourdan

Jean Baptiste Colbert

Silvagni

Cardinal Mazarin

Katharina Renn

Anne d'Autriche

Dominique Vincent

Madame Du Plessis

Pierre Barrat

Nicolas Fouquet

Fernand Fabre

Michel Le Tellier

F

Françoise Ponty

Louise de la Vallière