LA PRINCESSE & LA MARQUISE: Princess Soraya and Angélique Marquise des Anges

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LA PRINCESSE & LA MARQUISE: Princess Soraya and Angélique Marquise des Anges
by Darius Kadivar
03-Jun-2010
 

Angélique, Marquise des Anges is a French film, based on the novel by Anne and Serge Golon, set during the reign of King Louis XIV. Starring Michèle Mercier and Robert Hossein. Mercier was briefly courted by the Shah as a possible bride, shortly after his divorce from Soraya. The Successful series of the Swinging 60's have become something of a Cult in France, airing regularly each summer on French TV. In one of the series Angélique et le Roy, the beautiful French courtisan is caught in a diplomatic intrigue involving the Persian Ambassador Bakhtiary Bey ( Sami Frey) who tries to seduce her by force ( basically rape her) but eventually she escapes with the help of French outlaws. She eventually gains the Persian Ambassador's respect and becomes a key player in ensuring a happy conclusion to the establishment of friendly diplomatic ties between France and Shah Abbas' Persia. The character of Angélique was fictitious but the Persian Ambassador's visit to King Louis XIV was historically accurate. His visit is as a matter of fact immortalized in a portrait which is displayed in the Chateau of Versailles to this day ( See related blog). Princess Soraya was to briefly undertake a promising career as a movie Star in an Italian movie directed by Antonioni named Three Faces of a Women opposite Italian Movie Star Alberto Sordi and British theater and movie star Richard Harris.

Angelique La Marquise des Anges:

Angélique and Joffrey de Peyrac ( Robert Hossein) in quest of their eternal yet impossible love for one another:

Princess Soraya in Three Faces of a Women:

Scene from the TV Series Soraya Starring Anna Valle in the title role and German Erol Sander as the Shah:

Photo Essay and Tribute to TV series Soraya:

Two other Scenes from Soraya's Screen debut in Three Faces of a Women with Co Star Alberto Sordi( German Dubbing):

Part I:

Part II:

La Comedie Française and the adventurous life of french dramatist Moliere in Movie Trailer (2007):

  

Plot Angélique, Marquise des Anges:

In Mid-17th century France: young Louis XIV is struggling for his throne, beggars and thieves haunt Paris and brigands roam the countryside. Fifth child of an impoverished country nobleman, Angélique de Sancé de Monteloup grows up in the Poitou marshlands. Her logical destiny would be to marry a poor country nobleman, have children and spend her life fighting for a meagre subsistence. Destiny has other plans in store for her. At 17, on returning from her education in a convent, she finds herself betrothed to the rich count, Joffrey de Peyrac, ( Joffrey Comte de Peyrac de Morens, Lord of Toulouse), 12 years her senior, lame, scarred and reputed to be a wizard. For the sake of her family, Angélique reluctantly agrees to the match but refuses the advances of her husband. Peyrac respects her decision and does not pursue his claim to conjugal rights, wishing rather to seduce than use force.

With the passing of months, Angelique discovers the talents and virtues of her remarkable husband: scientist, musician, philosopher; and to her surprise falls passionately in love with him. But Joffrey's unusual way of life is threatened by the ambitions of the Archbishop of Toulouse, and soon arouses the jealousy of the young king himself, Louis XIV. Joffrey is arrested and charged with sorcery. Angélique will single-handedly take on the might of the royal court and, survive murder and poison attempts on herself in a supreme effort to save Joffrey from the stake, to no avail. Instinctively, her whole being intent on revenge and her determination to survive, Angélique, alone and desperate, plunges into the darkness of the Paris underworld.

Related Pictory:

Queen Soraya greeted at the French Comédie Française

Related Blogs:

Diplomatic History: Persian Ambassador at French Court of King Louis XIV

BATHING BEAUTIES: Shahbanou Farah and Friends In Bathing Suits at Caspian Sea Resort (1974/75)

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