The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2008)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rise and Fall of Versailles is a French docudrama which premiered in 2008. A miniseries in three parts.

 

The history of the famous palace is told by presenting the lives of the last three kings who ruled France before the revolution of 1789.

 

Here is some basic information about this film:

 

** Director: Thierry Binisti

** Language: French

** Subtitles: English

** Available on Amazon Prime Video

** Available on the ROKU Channel

** Available on Tubi TV

 

The docudrama is a combination of two elements.

 

(1) A traditional documentary film where modern experts (known as talking heads) appear from time to time

 

(2) A drama in which historical scenes are reconstructed by modern actors.

 

The historical scenes are filmed on location: inside and outside the Palace of Versailles. The cinematography is excellent.

 

Here is some basic information about the three episodes:

 

 

Episode # 1

English: Louis XIV: The Dream of a King

French: Versailles: le rêve d’un roi

Run time: 59 minutes

 

 

Episode # 2

English: Louis XV: The Palace of Pleasure

French: Louis XV: le Soleil Noir

Run time: 59 minutes

 

 

Episode # 3

English: Louis XVI: Countdown to Revolution

French: Louis XVI: l’homme qui ne voulait pas être Roi

Run time: 49 minutes

 

What do reviewers say about this film? On IMDb the three episodes are listed as three independent films:

 

Episode # 1 = 75 percent

Episode # 2 = 66 percent

Episode # 3 = 67 percent

 

On Amazon there are at the moment 25 global ratings and 14 global reviews of this product. The average rating is 4.1 stars, which corresponds to a rating of 82 percent.

 

Here are the details:

 

5 stars = 54 percent

4 stars = 10 percent

3 stars = 25 percent

2 stars = 10 percent

1 star = 0 percent

 

As you can see, the average rating is good but not great. I understand the average rating and agree with it. This docudrama is good but not great.

 

It is a good introduction. It covers the basic facts, but there are not enough details. This is why I want to offer a rating of four stars (80 percent).

 

RELEVANT RESOURCES

 

# 1. Docudramas (in French)

 

** Portraits: Louis XIV (2012) (2014)

French title: Louis XIV - Les Passions du Roi Soleil

Run time: 1 hour 56 minutes

 

** 1715: The Sun King is Dead (2015)

French title: La Mort de Louis XIV

Run time: 54 minutes

 

** The Private Life of Marie Antoinette (2008) (2014)

French title: Marie Antoinette intime

Run time: 1 hour 51 minutes

 

** Marie Antoinette: The Trial of a Queen (2018)

A film in two parts:

Episode one: The Trial of a Queen

Run time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Episode two: The Last Days of Marie Antoinette

Run time: 52 minutes

 

# 2. Books (in French and English)

 

** Marie Antoinette: The Last Queen of France by Evelyne Lever (2001) (2006)

 

** Juger la reine by Emmanuel de Waresquiel (2016)

 

** King of the World: The Life of Louis XIV by Philip Mansel (2019)

 

** The Sun King at Sea: Maritime Art and Galley Slavery in Louis XIV’s France by Meredith Martin and Gillian Weiss (2022)

 

*****

Versailles: A Biography of a Palace

by Tony Spawforth

(Hardcover 2008)

(Paperback 2010)

 

 *****