La putain du roi

The storyline of the King's Mistress may seem like your basic Barbara Cartland novel but this is not the case with this movie. It is a bit difficult to watch since it is a foreign film for the most part but the actors do a fine job and if you stay with it the story line becomes a bit surprising. If you can find it, give it a watch. And if you are expecting to lust after Dalton when you see him in that wig, forget it, he's a somewhat pitiful bad-guy in this movie and you'll end up feeling sorry for the character and again aware of what a fine actor Dalton really is. (I had to buy this movie on e-bay so you may have to look for it!)

I have no idea how on earth I missed this film. It threatens to become a new favourite Timothy Dalton appearance. Simply put, this 1990 gem is one of the best movies I've seen about the power of true love. What an epic example of acting magnificence from Timothy Dalton! With another 7 years of acting under his belt after Jane Eyre, his portrayal of the King is authentic, magnetic, deep, raw, with hints of Jane's Eyre's Rochester only more powerful. He makes no mis-steps in this piece, plus he has a sword and oh boy can he use it! So if you're a fan of Timothy Dalton, find this film and enjoy the treat. And if you're not a fan, you are about to discover a top performance by one of the finest actors of our time. You're welcome.

This is an outstanding, breathtaking history which astonished me. I recorded this film when it was emited on TV and I watch it 4 days a week. I know it could be strange to you, but I love this story. It is so moving. It's a masterpiece. The actors, the screenplay, th dialogues! Valeria Golino and Timothy Dalton are gorgeous. It doesn't matter who and what tells about this film - I love it!

This movie was simply long and drawn out. Its plot was extremely shaky and the acting was less then exceptional. Basically it is about a King who in his wise decision-making decides to take on a lady(who he falls in love with). The lady was supposed to be wed to someone else, so things get messed up. The movie goes through their lives and shows the final end. I would not bother seeing it though, I almost fell asleep.

I enjoyed this movie but it did fall short of the great film that it should have been. Main strengths were the stunning visual aspects and Timothy Dalton's mesmerising performance. Surely he has to be the most underrated actors of our time. His portrayal of psychological complexity in his characters in unmatched. Weak points are the jumpy plot, erratic editing (apparently a lot of scenes were cut) and lack of bodice ripping scenes. There is plenty of emotion but the steaminess is mostly implied. Still worth seeing, particularly for Dalton fans or for lovers of historical costume drama.