Versailles

I think the casting is superb. Add beautiful surroundings and great acting and add the story of Louis XIV and you will have a show that pulls you into the middle of life in Versailles. I know they took liberties with the story, and sexed it all up, but not in a bad way. There is no 21st century holier-than-thou attitude, which is nice. They did things differently back in the 1600's and here is a show that portrays some of that, without preaching. It is rare that audiences are given credit for having brains enough to form opinions of their own about the characters. Things in Versailles are not all black and white, good and bad--there are many, many shades of gray here. It takes a lot to be able to show all those shades, and I think Versailles succeeds admirably.

Forget about the sun King Louis XIV, this show introduces us to his eccentric, fabulous, incredibly smart brother often under the shadow of the sun. The actor perfectly delivered the emotional dimension, complexity of the character, and I couldn't help but be a fan. I also ended up searching historical facts about Philippe, what a truly interesting character he was! Alexander Vlahos deserved a grammy for this.

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 !

This king was a showman, not an insecure philosopher, spectacularly controlling, not a bit shy. To him the only crime was to be a bore. You might start with a makeover of the look and let the acting follow. Please do a better job with the men's hair and costumes. This is France, not dowdy old England. Although I do like the Mark Farner '70s rock star chevelure imagined for the king (who is very well cast with a short actor), all portraits of him show a cloud of curls from cradle to grave (wigs, of course). The fabrics are couture, but too neutral. That little red bow tie over the white lace cravat would have been three times as wide and multiplied by seven, like a holiday bottle of cognac. (Again, look at the portraiture.) Conspicuously absent: the fabulous music of Marc Antoine Charpentier and Lully, the Paintings of Le Brun, Mignard and Le Moyne, the solid silver furniture that nearly bankrupt the nation. Look to the movie, Vatel, for better food and fete inspiration. Monsieur said it best when Louis chided him about the 50,000 ecus shoe note with: "But you haven't seen the shoes!" No, we haven't.

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.