Angelique and the King
Soon after her latest husband death, the King himself (Louis XIV) meets with our heroine and begs her to help convince the Persian Ambassador to agree to a treaty. However, what they didn't realize was that the handsome Persian was in fact a sexual sadist. So, it is up to the King's half- brother, some Hungarian prince, to save Angélique from the evil troll's clutches.
The film earned $52.8M 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 and the King (1966) showcases meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Bernard Borderie's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Angélique de Peyrac
King Louis XIV
Philippe de Plessis-Bellières
Monsieur de Lauzun
Madame de Montespan
François Desgrez
Main Cast & Characters
Angélique de Peyrac
Played by Michèle Mercier
A beautiful and resourceful noblewoman navigating the dangerous intrigues of Louis XIV's court while searching for her lost husband.
King Louis XIV
Played by Jacques Toja
The Sun King of France, whose desires and political machinations create conflict for Angélique at Versailles.
Philippe de Plessis-Bellières
Played by Robert Hossein
A nobleman and potential suitor who offers Angélique protection and companionship at court.
Monsieur de Lauzun
Played by Jean Rochefort
A courtier and military officer entangled in the romantic and political intrigues surrounding Angélique.
Madame de Montespan
Played by Estella Blain
The King's ambitious mistress and rival to Angélique, wielding considerable power at court.
François Desgrez
Played by Claude Giraud
A lieutenant of police who aids Angélique in her investigations and struggles.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Angelique lives independently as a wealthy widow in Paris, having survived her previous adventures. She maintains her beauty and status while navigating courtly society.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when King Louis XIV directly summons Angelique to Versailles and makes clear his intention to make her his mistress, disrupting her carefully maintained independence.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Angelique makes the choice to enter the King's world more deeply, accepting a position at court despite the dangers. She commits to playing the game of power rather than fleeing., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: Angelique is publicly accused or humiliated, loses the King's favor, or faces arrest/exile. A close ally may betray her or be lost. Her reputation and position at court collapse., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale: Angelique executes her plan, confronts her enemies, reveals the conspiracy to the King, and reclaims her position. She demonstrates both her intelligence and integrity, resolving the political crisis on her own terms., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Angelique and the King's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Angelique and the King 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 and the King 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 and the King 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 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Bernard Borderie analyses, see Angelique, Angelique: The Road To Versailles and Untamable Angelique.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Angelique lives independently as a wealthy widow in Paris, having survived her previous adventures. She maintains her beauty and status while navigating courtly society.
Theme
A courtier mentions that "true power lies not in refusing the King, but in how one submits" - foreshadowing Angelique's struggle between independence and obligation to Louis XIV.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Angelique's world at the court of Louis XIV, the political intrigue, her past reputation, and the various suitors and enemies who surround her. The King's interest in her becomes evident.
Disruption
King Louis XIV directly summons Angelique to Versailles and makes clear his intention to make her his mistress, disrupting her carefully maintained independence.
Resistance
Angelique resists the King's advances while navigating court politics. She seeks counsel from allies and debates whether to submit to royal power or maintain her autonomy, knowing refusal could mean exile or worse.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Angelique makes the choice to enter the King's world more deeply, accepting a position at court despite the dangers. She commits to playing the game of power rather than fleeing.
Premise
The "fun and games" of court intrigue: Angelique navigates Versailles politics, manages the King's attention, outmaneuvers rivals, and enjoys the power and luxury while maintaining her dignity and autonomy.
Opposition
Court enemies and rival women close in on Angelique. Plots against her intensify, the King becomes more demanding and unpredictable, and her position becomes increasingly precarious as her past is used against her.
Collapse
All is lost: Angelique is publicly accused or humiliated, loses the King's favor, or faces arrest/exile. A close ally may betray her or be lost. Her reputation and position at court collapse.
Crisis
Angelique confronts her darkest moment, questioning whether survival at court is worth the cost. She processes the loss and recognizes what truly matters versus what she's been fighting for.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: Angelique executes her plan, confronts her enemies, reveals the conspiracy to the King, and reclaims her position. She demonstrates both her intelligence and integrity, resolving the political crisis on her own terms.