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rolanni...aka Le Bossu, was the title of last evening's film. In French with English subtitles. Not quite as much Actual sword-fighting as I had been led to believe, quite silly in spots, but charming overall.
Synopsis
Lagardere is an acrobat-turned-swordsman who initially annoys and then wins the friendship of the spoilt and whimsical Duke of Nevers, who in a fit of whimsy makes Legardere a chevalier.
The Duke receiving news of the birth of his heir -- whom he believes to be a son -- to a lady of noble house, the two men set off to her father's mountainous estate. The Duke marries the lady, but shortly after the ceremony, the entire wedding party is murdered by agents of the Duke's cousin who was, until the advent of the child, also the Duke's heir.
Despite being almost supernaturally good with a sword (the Duke has developed a peculiar killing stroke, which he has taught to Legardere), the Duke is overwhelmed by sheer numbers; his lady taken by assassins. At the proper dramatic moment, Legardere -- who had stayed behind to distract the trailing company -- reappears and it looks as if they might win free with the baby. Then the Duke falls to a treacherous and dishonorable stroke. He entrusts his child -- and his vengence -- to Legardere.
The swordsman and the infant fall in with a company of players and travel with them for sixteen years, returning at last to Paris, where Legardere is determined that the girl, Aurore (who believes him to be her father), will reclaim her birthright.
The plot rapidly becomes more convoluted from here, involving impersonations, murder, stock market manipulation, and the revelation that Aurore's lady mother, presumed all these years to be dead, is very much alive and will do anything to have her daughter back with her.
A warning for those who are squicked by such things: There is an older-man-younger-woman love interest.
The scenery and the costumes are quite beautiful and may even be period-correct. The villain -- Count Gonzague -- is so wonderfully Evil, his body language so rich, that I forgot for whole scenes that he was speaking French.
I had a great time with it. A keeper.
Synopsis
Lagardere is an acrobat-turned-swordsman who initially annoys and then wins the friendship of the spoilt and whimsical Duke of Nevers, who in a fit of whimsy makes Legardere a chevalier.
The Duke receiving news of the birth of his heir -- whom he believes to be a son -- to a lady of noble house, the two men set off to her father's mountainous estate. The Duke marries the lady, but shortly after the ceremony, the entire wedding party is murdered by agents of the Duke's cousin who was, until the advent of the child, also the Duke's heir.
Despite being almost supernaturally good with a sword (the Duke has developed a peculiar killing stroke, which he has taught to Legardere), the Duke is overwhelmed by sheer numbers; his lady taken by assassins. At the proper dramatic moment, Legardere -- who had stayed behind to distract the trailing company -- reappears and it looks as if they might win free with the baby. Then the Duke falls to a treacherous and dishonorable stroke. He entrusts his child -- and his vengence -- to Legardere.
The swordsman and the infant fall in with a company of players and travel with them for sixteen years, returning at last to Paris, where Legardere is determined that the girl, Aurore (who believes him to be her father), will reclaim her birthright.
The plot rapidly becomes more convoluted from here, involving impersonations, murder, stock market manipulation, and the revelation that Aurore's lady mother, presumed all these years to be dead, is very much alive and will do anything to have her daughter back with her.
A warning for those who are squicked by such things: There is an older-man-younger-woman love interest.
The scenery and the costumes are quite beautiful and may even be period-correct. The villain -- Count Gonzague -- is so wonderfully Evil, his body language so rich, that I forgot for whole scenes that he was speaking French.
I had a great time with it. A keeper.
