Cardinal Mazarin dies, leaving a power vacuum in which the young Louis asserts his intention to govern as well as rule. Mazarin's fiscal advisor, Colbert, warns against Fouquet, the Superintendant who has been systematically looting the treasury and wants to be prime minister. Fouquet believes Louis will soon tire of exercizing power and overplays his hand by offering a bribe to Louis' mistress to be his ally. She reports this to the king who arrests Fouquet. Louis and Colbert design a brilliant strategy to keep merchants making money, nobles in debt, the urban poor working and fed, and peasants untaxed.

Directed by: Roberto Rossellini
Written by: Jean Gruault & Roberto Rossellini & Philippe Erlanger
Runtime: 90 minutes
Cast:
Maurice Barrier Maurice Barrier
D'Artagnan 
Gilette Barbier Gilette Barbier
Pierrette Dufour 
Jacques Préboist Jacques PrĂ©boist
Mousquetaire 
Rita Maiden Rita Maiden
Une paysanne 
Paula Dehelly Paula Dehelly
Mme d'Elboeuf 
Jean-Marie Patte Jean-Marie Patte
Louis XIV 
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Also known as:
  • The Rise of Louis XIV
  • The Rise to Power of Louis XIV
  • The Taking of Power by Louis XIV