Le Chevalier de Pardaillan (1962)
Directed by Bernard Borderie

Film Review

Le Chevalier de Pardaillan is typical of the kind of swashbuckling adventure film that was enormously popular in France in the 1950s and 1960s.  Based on historical novels, the films generally had excellent production values and featured high profile actors such as Jean Marais in the role of the heroic master swordsman.   Whilst it isn't the best example of its kind, Le Chevalier de Pardaillan is a well-paced, enjoyable film, with plenty of gutsy action scenes and a likeable hero portrayed by the dashing Gérard Barray.  The film was directed by Bernard Borderie who is most famous for directing two of the most successful series of films ever made in France, the first featuring FBI agent Lemmy Caution, the second based on the popular Angélique novels.   After the success of this film, Bernard Borderie directed a sequel, Hardi Pardaillan! (1964), with Barray again playing the lead role.

Film Synopsis

Intent on deposing Henri IV, the ambitious Duke de Guise plans to marry a woman who has a stronger claim to the throne than he does, and thereby make himself the rightful King of France.  The only person to know of the woman's existence is the Duke himself - she is presently living as a gypsy girl under the name Violetta, completely oblivious to the royal blood coursing through her veins.  The Duke's first attempt to kidnap Violetta is thwarted by the brave knight Pardaillan, who in doing so makes himself de Guise's sworn enemy.  Violetta's luck does not hold out - on his second attempt, the Duke succeeds in capturing her and taking her off to his castle.  Never one to admit defeat, Pardaillan enlists the help of a clown and a strongman so that he can abduct the Duke's original intended bride, Fausta, whom he then intends to swap for Violetta.  It's a cunning plan but unfortunately things do not go quite as the resourceful knight had hoped...