Angélique et le sultan (1968)
Directed by Bernard Borderie

Film Review

The fifth and final instalment in the Angélique saga of films is, despite some impressive production values, clearly the weakest.  It lacks the cosy sentimentality of the earlier films and seems overly preoccupied with shocking its audience with scenes of graphic violence.  Michèle Mercier has far less to do in this film and the actress looks frankly fed up with the part (who can blame her?), her performance lacking its usual warmth and conviction.

Thanks to a weak script, the action scenes are excessively and needlessly protracted, the dialogue is laughably bad in places, and the plot seems to drag, relying far too much on coincidence to be remotely credible.  The result is a stuttering historical romp that impresses with its visuals but is painfully lacking in charm and substance.  It's a disappointing end to an otherwise entertaining series of films.

Film Synopsis

Angélique has scarcely been reunited with her first husband Joffrey de Peyrac when she is abducted by the ruthless slave trader Escrainville.  Arriving in Algiers, she is sold to Mezzo Morte, who intends that she will join the harm of the Sultan of Mikenez.  To rescue his beloved Angélique, Joffrey allows himself to be captured and made a slave.  He escapes and is soon resuming his quest for his lost wife.  Meanwhile, Angélique refuses her new role as the Sultan's concubine, but her act of rebellion leads her to be whipped.  Fearing that this newcomer will take her place in the harem, the Sultan's favourite attempts to kill her...