Versailles

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

For Lovers of History who can forgive some inaccuracy for decadence and intrigue. Absolutely love this show. Visually rich and very nice attention to detail and character development. Great acting in general but no doubt props going to George Blagden as Louis XIV (who is also amazing in Viking another epic show) and Alexander Vlahos as Philippe (a very great character analysis).

This show reminds me a bit of The Tudors with Jonathan R Meyers but so far much better about pacing and accuracy.

I seriously want three maybe more of Louis XIV and hope they continue with other rulers i.e Louis XV aka Beloved and Louis XVI with Marie Antoinette. Seriously need more shows like this. History is far more interesting than made of stuff half the time.

Great job cast and crew.

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 !

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!

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.