Versailles

One of those shows it took me some time to get round to watching, but after binge watching Series 1 I have to say it is excellent viewing, I'll agree with other reviewers who highlight there are very definitely historical inaccuracies, the birth of the Queen's baby etc, but they can be overlooked, as the drama is somehow addictive. It is very raunchy, lots of sex scenes, and lots of gay sex scenes, shock horror.

The sets and costumes are incredibly lavish, you cannot helped but be wowed by the sheer majesty of the buildings and surroundings, The Palace of Versailles itself almost takes on the role of an extra character, it's so impressive. It is visually always on the money, the filming, music etc, are first rate, utterly faultless.

I'm so glad they chose not to put on dodgy French accents, so often spoil historical dramas.

George Blagden is an outstanding lead actor, he looks so incredibly different in costume, I think he's wonderful in the role, masses of charisma. So well matched is Alexander Vlahos, who plays his brother, totally suited to the part, fair to say he adds masses of variety to the show.

Great to see that Series 3 has been commissioned, meaning plenty of Versailles to come. Great show. 8/10

This drama is about the rise of Louis xiv, the Sun King, Louis the Great, who moved the executive from Paris, the centre of the known world to Versailles, a great bog.

With his father long dead, his mother recently dead, he was alone except for his brother and those he trusted. His political marriage to a Spanish princess was not happy.

He is primarily concerned with how to rule a growing French Empire. This French court evolved into something strange - where dancing and etiquette were critical politically.

This is made in English (to ease it commercially) but by the French so it is made with taste. There are attractive actors, lavish costumes, special effects (to pretend it was shot in the Palace itself) and of course scenes of violence and sex. After all, its good to be the King.

Looking forward to Season 2 !

I've been waiting for what seems like ages for a series to come along that I look forward to each episode. This is it. Absolutely gorgeous, stunning settings, costumes and sets.

The actors are fascinating. I don't care if it is minute by minute historically accurate as I can read a history book about Versailles and life there, but this is super interesting as a drama within that palace and time frame. Everyone is just so real. They are horrible, loving, scheming, nasty, lavish, flamboyant, crafty and violent, but isn't that what real life and humans are all about? I am loving the costumes, jewels, food, florals, decor and art.

Fingers crossed for Season 2.

Yet another fantastic TV-series that makes me want to learn more about history. I thank the creators of this for making me more curious about what really happened. Very beautiful and well acted.

I have binge-watched this twice in three days, so I think I can offer my opinion. It is very good TV!

Blagden and Vlahos perform excellently; the plot is very much about two brothers, a new and fresh angle of the Sun King I haven't seen before. It is also about building a home, a palace, and also about building a country.

I doubt a proper historian would approve, but I don't mind. This is good TV and I like it a lot.

Since I already googled the crap out of Monsieur Philippe d'Orléans, I guess I have made my point. This made me learn a bit more about this era, and also see how it influences the oligarchy in our present time.

Very well crafted entertainment - I recommend you watch it at least twice. That way you will get to know the characters better. Season two? Can't wait!

We do not expect historical accuracy from a series featuring French royalty. Rather, we expect opulence, much action and intrigue, with a fair amount of sex and decadence. Well, Versailles has that in spades, and not knowing much about the France of that period, I am taking much of it with a pinch of salt, but I think this is really good television.

The plot meanders a bit at times, and of course Louis was building his nation, and at times Versailles seems more important than his country, but of course it represents France and all that we associate with it most splendidly, even today.

Beyond the nation building, Louis had to deal with a troublesome group of noblemen who seemed to spend all their time plotting against him and killing off people to whom he was attached. No wonder the poor French got rid of their royalty eventually, it must have seemed very troublesome to those whose lives were harder and less important.

It is superb television and I think the scriptwriters can take real credit for building a series where Louis plays members of his court (and even his own family) off against each other with skill and aplomb. He was clearly born to be a king.

This is great TV and I can't wait for Series 2 which I am told is in the pipeline.

Mary Gumsley