The Vagabond King

King Louis XI of France (the competent O.P. Heggie) hasn't his problems to seek. The Burgundians are at the gates of Paris and his subjects within are all a bit disgruntled. They are being stirred up by the rebellious poet "Villon" (Dennis King) who repeatedly suggests that Louis is an incompetent f ... ool. He voices those opinions a bit too freely one evening and finds himself arrested by none other than the King himself. Hanged? Well, the rather shrewd monarch decides to see if this loudmouth can do any better. He ennobles him, puts him in charge and tells him his survival depends on him defeating the marauders outside the city walls. Meantime, his time in the palace introduces him to "Katherine" (Jeanette MacDonald) with whom he quickly becomes smitten. Now he has to save the city, get the girl and, ideally, avoid the gallows! It's quite good fun this, when it concentrates on the action. There is some acrobatic sword fencing and great ensemble fight scenes with tables and chairs and bottles used to full effect. The singing, though - well we had to have it, but the mediocre songs do rather break up the pace and there isn't really much chemistry between the rather hammy King and an off-form and pretty unremarkably flat MacDonald. It does look great though, with some stylish and authentic looking scenarios presented, but in the end I was a bit disappointed with this rather muddled historical adventure. read more