The Beloved Rogue

1927

1h 39m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

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Drama

Action

Adventure

History

François Villon, in his lifetime the most renowned poet in France, is also a prankster, an occasional criminal, and an ardent patriot.

Directors

Alan Crosland

Writers

Paul Bern(screenplay by)

Stars

John Barrymore

Conrad Veidt

Marceline Day

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Top cast

John Barrymore

François Villon

Conrad Veidt

King Louis XI

Marceline Day

Charlotte de Vauxcelles

Duke of Burgundy

Thibault d'Aussigny

Jehan

Beppo - the Dwarf

Astrologer

Villon's Mother

Olivier

The Abbess

Margot

Duke of Orleans

Tristan l'Hermite

Baby Francois (uncredited)

Mack Swain

Nicholas

Directors

Alan Crosland

Writers

Paul Bern(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

If you've seen "If I Were King" (either the 1920 or 1938 version), or read Sir Walter Scott's "Quentin Durward" (1823) then you will be familiar with the basis of this quite enjoyable, if a little slow, historical drama. François Villon (John Barrymore) is the populist poet who falls foul of King Louis XI (Conrad Veidt) when he offends the visiting Charles, Duke of Burgundy (Lawson Butt). Banished from Paris as a punishment, he must use his popularity - he has just been elected "King of the Fools" - and his contacts at the Court of Miracles, the ultimate den of iniquity, to keep his country from the encroaching Burgundians. Weidt steals this for me. He plays the shrewdly decrepit monarch remarkably well. Marceline Day is also quite fun as the pretty, and feisty, "Charlotte", the young girl to be traded to one of Charles' lieutenants "Thibault" (Henry Victor). Barrymore reminded me of a "Puck" style of character, mercurial and engaging with a sharp blade (and tongue) when required, and his efforts pay off well, most of the time. Apparently the bairn at the start is the young Dickie Moore whom you might recall from his 1933 title role in “Oliver Twist” - when he was but eight years old. It's a good watch, this film, and the inter-titles convey his wittily structured poetry effectively. I could just have done with a little more swashbuckling and a little less gymnastics.

Geronimo196706 Jun, 2022