Angelique
In 17th-century France, beautiful country maiden Angélique marries wealthy neighbor Jeoffray de Peyrac out of convenience, but eventually, she falls in love with him. So when Jeoffray is arrested and then vanishes, she bravely sets out to find him. This is the first of many dramas based on Anne and Serge Golon's novels about strong-willed Angélique and her adventures during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King.
The film earned $22.0M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Angelique (1964) exemplifies carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Bernard Borderie's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 57 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Angélique de Sancé de Monteloup
Joffrey de Peyrac
Philippe du Plessis-Bellière
King Louis XIV
Baron de Sancé
Main Cast & Characters
Angélique de Sancé de Monteloup
Played by Michèle Mercier
A beautiful young noblewoman forced into an arranged marriage who must navigate court intrigue and discover her own strength in 17th century France.
Joffrey de Peyrac
Played by Robert Hossein
A brilliant but scarred nobleman and alchemist who becomes Angélique's husband, initially feared but ultimately loved.
Philippe du Plessis-Bellière
Played by Jean Rochefort
A charming courtier and Angélique's childhood love who represents the romantic life she cannot have.
King Louis XIV
Played by Jacques Toja
The Sun King himself, whose court politics and personal desires drive much of the conflict in the story.
Baron de Sancé
Played by Claude Giraud
Angélique's impoverished noble father who arranges her marriage for financial gain.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Angélique de Sancé is introduced as a free-spirited, beautiful daughter of an impoverished noble family in rural France, running through the countryside with childlike wonder and independence.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Angélique's father announces she must marry Count Joffrey de Peyrac, a wealthy but reportedly hideous and possibly sorcerous nobleman. Her dreams of romantic love are shattered as she realizes she is being sold to save her family.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Angélique arrives at Peyrac's grand castle in Toulouse and faces her new husband for the first time. Despite her terror, she chooses to go through with the marriage ceremony, stepping into her new life as Countess de Peyrac., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Angélique and Joffrey's love reaches its peak as they celebrate together at a grand ball. She proudly declares her love for her husband before the court, but their happiness draws the jealous attention of powerful enemies who covet Peyrac's wealth., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Joffrey de Peyrac is condemned to death for sorcery. Angélique watches helplessly as her beloved husband is taken to be burned at the stake. Her world collapses as the man who taught her to love is executed before her eyes., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Angélique resolves to survive no matter the cost. She vows to honor Joffrey's memory by living and eventually taking revenge on those who destroyed their happiness. Her grief transforms into steely determination., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Angelique's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Angelique against these established plot points, we can identify how Bernard Borderie utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Angelique within the adventure genre.
Bernard Borderie's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Bernard Borderie films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Angelique represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Bernard Borderie filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more Bernard Borderie analyses, see Angelique: The Road To Versailles, Untamable Angelique and Angelique and the King.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Angélique de Sancé is introduced as a free-spirited, beautiful daughter of an impoverished noble family in rural France, running through the countryside with childlike wonder and independence.
Theme
Angélique's nurse warns her that a woman's beauty and spirit can be both her greatest asset and her greatest danger in a world controlled by men—foreshadowing her journey of survival through love and loss.
Worldbuilding
The Sancé family's desperate financial situation is established. Angélique's father struggles to maintain appearances while creditors circle. Her brothers and the household dynamics reveal the precarious position of minor nobility in Louis XIV's France.
Disruption
Angélique's father announces she must marry Count Joffrey de Peyrac, a wealthy but reportedly hideous and possibly sorcerous nobleman. Her dreams of romantic love are shattered as she realizes she is being sold to save her family.
Resistance
Angélique resists the arranged marriage, dreading her fate. She hears terrifying rumors about Peyrac's scarred face and dark reputation. Her family pressures her while she contemplates escape, torn between duty and desire for freedom.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Angélique arrives at Peyrac's grand castle in Toulouse and faces her new husband for the first time. Despite her terror, she chooses to go through with the marriage ceremony, stepping into her new life as Countess de Peyrac.
Mirror World
Joffrey de Peyrac reveals his true nature to Angélique—a brilliant, cultured, and tender man whose physical scars hide a beautiful soul. Their first real conversation awakens unexpected feelings and introduces the theme of seeing beyond appearances.
Premise
Angélique discovers the wonders of Peyrac's world—his wealth, scientific experiments, artistic patronage, and most importantly, his genuine love for her. She transforms from reluctant bride to devoted wife, experiencing passion and happiness she never imagined possible.
Midpoint
Angélique and Joffrey's love reaches its peak as they celebrate together at a grand ball. She proudly declares her love for her husband before the court, but their happiness draws the jealous attention of powerful enemies who covet Peyrac's wealth.
Opposition
Court enemies, including those who desire Angélique and envy Peyrac's wealth, conspire against them. Accusations of sorcery and heresy are brought against Joffrey. Despite their efforts to fight the charges, the political machinery of Louis XIV's court closes in on them.
Collapse
Joffrey de Peyrac is condemned to death for sorcery. Angélique watches helplessly as her beloved husband is taken to be burned at the stake. Her world collapses as the man who taught her to love is executed before her eyes.
Crisis
Angélique is devastated by Joffrey's execution. Stripped of her title and wealth, she faces the utter destruction of everything she held dear. In her darkest moment, she must decide whether to surrender to despair or find the strength to survive.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Angélique resolves to survive no matter the cost. She vows to honor Joffrey's memory by living and eventually taking revenge on those who destroyed their happiness. Her grief transforms into steely determination.
Synthesis
Angélique escapes Paris and begins her journey of survival. She faces the harsh realities of life without protection or status, but her resilience and beauty become weapons for survival. She starts building the strength that will define her future adventures.
Transformation
Angélique stands alone but unbroken, transformed from a naive young noblewoman into a survivor. Her eyes hold both the memory of lost love and the fire of determination. The innocent girl is gone; a formidable woman has emerged.