In 1721, under the guise of wanting to consolidate peace, Philippe d’Orléans, then Regent of France, proposes to the King of Spain, Philip V, a marriage between the heir to the French throne, Louis XV, aged 11, and the very young Infanta of Spain, Anna Maria Victoria, aged four…
And he doesn’t stop there: he also proposes to give his daughter, Mlle de Montpensier, aged twelve, as a wife to the Prince of Asturias, heir to the Spanish throne, to strengthen his positions and consolidate the end of the conflict between the two kingdoms.
The exchange of the princesses takes place in early 1722, with great pomp, on a small island in the middle of the Bidassoa, the river that acts as the border between the two countries.
This exchange of young princesses is purely political. While the little girl adapts very well to the French court and becomes the darling of the Princess Palatine, Louise-Elisabeth cannot bear the Catholic rigidity in Spain and the madness of their king Philip V, interpreted by an unleashed Lambert Wilson.
Everything could go for the best. But nothing will go as planned…
A superb journey through time, which gives justice to characters mistreated by History. The reign of Louis XV has attracted little interest from cinema compared to his ancestor Louis XIV and his guillotined successor.
A magnificent and very varied cast, very accurate, with splendid imagery and a discreet and effective soundtrack. The filmmaking is classic and this is also the right choice that was made.
A well-crafted film, very well acted. Everything is well-chosen to convey the difficult lives of the heirs to the royal crowns. Not to be missed by those who love History and beautiful, rigorous cinema!
