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 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 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 Angélique has established herself at Versailles, navigating court life as a widow while the King's interest in her grows increasingly apparent.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when King Louis XIV makes his intentions toward Angélique unmistakably clear, demanding she become his official mistress—a command she cannot easily refuse without dire consequences.. 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 indicates the protagonist's commitment to Angélique chooses to resist the King's advances, committing herself to a dangerous game of evasion at court while secretly hoping to find another path to security., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Angélique and Philippe declare their love for each other and secretly marry, believing they have found a way to escape the King's clutches through legitimate union., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Philippe is killed in battle—a death many suspect was arranged by the King to eliminate his rival. Angélique is devastated, widowed again, and now completely vulnerable to royal power., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Angélique discovers that her first husband Joffrey de Peyrac may still be alive. This revelation gives her new purpose and the courage to defy the King entirely., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Angelique and the King'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 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 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.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Angélique has established herself at Versailles, navigating court life as a widow while the King's interest in her grows increasingly apparent.
Theme
A courtier remarks that at Versailles, one must choose between freedom and favor—no woman can have both when the King desires her.
Worldbuilding
The opulent and treacherous world of Louis XIV's court is established, with its rigid hierarchies, jealous mistresses, and political intrigue surrounding Angélique's precarious position.
Disruption
King Louis XIV makes his intentions toward Angélique unmistakably clear, demanding she become his official mistress—a command she cannot easily refuse without dire consequences.
Resistance
Angélique debates her impossible situation, seeking counsel and weighing her options between submission to the King's will and maintaining her independence and honor.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Angélique chooses to resist the King's advances, committing herself to a dangerous game of evasion at court while secretly hoping to find another path to security.
Mirror World
Philippe du Plessis-Bellière, a noble soldier, enters Angélique's life, offering the possibility of genuine love rather than royal possession—representing the freedom she craves.
Premise
Angélique navigates the glittering dangers of Versailles, attending lavish entertainments, deflecting the King's pursuit, and developing her relationship with Philippe while enemies plot against her.
Midpoint
Angélique and Philippe declare their love for each other and secretly marry, believing they have found a way to escape the King's clutches through legitimate union.
Opposition
The King's jealousy intensifies as he learns of Angélique's marriage. Court rivals, particularly Madame de Montespan, scheme against her while Philippe is sent to dangerous military campaigns.
Collapse
Philippe is killed in battle—a death many suspect was arranged by the King to eliminate his rival. Angélique is devastated, widowed again, and now completely vulnerable to royal power.
Crisis
Angélique mourns Philippe and faces the crushing reality that the King's will seems inescapable. She questions whether any happiness is possible for her at Versailles.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Angélique discovers that her first husband Joffrey de Peyrac may still be alive. This revelation gives her new purpose and the courage to defy the King entirely.
Synthesis
Angélique makes her final stand against the King's demands, using her wit and the information about Joffrey to secure her freedom and prepare to search for her true husband.
Transformation
Angélique leaves Versailles a changed woman—no longer a victim of circumstance but an active agent of her own destiny, setting out to find Joffrey with renewed hope and determination.