The story takes place in France around 1650. Angelique (Michèle Mercier) is in love with the young, handsome, but also poor Nicholas (Giuliano Gemma),yet is forced to marry the rich Count Peyrac (Robert Hossein) who has a stiff leg and bears an ugly scar across his face. After she got to know him better, Angelique recognizes an amazing, strong character behind that face, though, and falls in love with her husband despite his outer appearance, better late than never... After some time of peace and happiness, coming events cast their dark shadows before. The Holy Inquisition mistrusts Peyrac's scientific experiments, and the couple also makes enemies at the King's court. Peyrac is accused of sorcery. Can Angelique do anything to save him at the trial?

Classic costume drama which spawned no less than 4 sequels, though none of them exceeded the qualities of the first part. One reason for its success is most likely that it had a female lead character whereas other movies of the genre, from Robin Hood to the 3 Musketeers, usually had male stars. With a good deal of love story added, it appealed a lot more to a female audience in the 1960s, but the action scenes are also well paced and directed. I voted 8/6/7/6/6 for the 5 movies of the series.

I have not seen this movie for many years but I remember it fondly. I used to be a huge fan in my early teenage years. Along with my friends, we had seen "Angélique, marquise des anges" no less than ten times at the cinema, and we all fell in love with green-eyed, sensual Angelique, her mysterious and brilliant husband, the Count Jeoffrey de Peyrac (Robert Hossein),her sharp and clever friend, Desgrez (Jean Rochefort),with the atmosphere of 17th century's France, its picturesque country sides, splendor of Paris and Versailles and dark secrets of the Lous XIV court. Very French movie at its best. I also would like to mention that the movie is based on the first book in the series by Anne and Serge Golon, and all books are absolutely marvelous.

I must admit at the outset that I have never read the Angélique books, so I cannot compare this movie to the original character in the Anne and Serge Golon stories. My review is simply that of an American who knew nothing about the films and watched "Angélique, Marquise Des Anges" because one of my students is French and she said these movies are her favorites. Well, after seeing this first film, I can see why. The film was quite adventurous and romantic--exactly the sort of film a teenage girl would probably enjoy. Once I have seen the other four films in the series, I will post reviews for them as well.

The film begins with the vivacious Angélique innocently running about the countryside with her sweetheart. However, you soon learn that Angélique is an aristocrat and the young man is just a poor peasant and their love is doomed. In fact, soon after the film begins, the girl is married to one of the richest men in France and she has very little to say about this arranged marriage.

At this point in the film, in some ways you like Angélique and in some ways you don't. She is sweet and brave--having saved the king's life by stealing poison meant for the royal family. On the other, though, she is rather immature and can't stand her new husband because she is disfigured as a result of his many adventures. While he is a very good and amazing man, all she can see are his huge facial scars and limp. As for this Marquis, he is really cool--sort of an action hero and adventurer. Believe it or not, he's like a 17th century version of 'Buckaroo Bonzai' or 'Baron Munchausen' (without the lying and actually having lived these adventures). Fortunately, over time she learns to love the man underneath and you see her grow as a character. Heck, I too, thought he was a terrific guy.

Their now ideal lives are interrupted now by the king--who in this film is seen as a rather cruel and scheming man (not far from the true Louis XIV). Angélique's husband is imprison on trumped up charges of witchcraft and you eventually learn that the poor Marquis is being persecuted in order to get to his sweet wife. Despite this, Angélique tries her best to get her husband released from prison--only to nearly get killed in the process herself. In the end, it looks like both Angélique and her beloved are going to die. However, given that there are four more films in the series, you know that somehow it works out--though NOT the way I expected!! Though sad, I liked the twists at the end--some may not.

The film has a lot going for it. There is a nice blend of romance, adventure, action and intrigue. All are nicely done and the film definitely keeps your attention. Michèle Mercier is excellent as the title character and she is definitely a tremendous beauty but also did a nice job of acting. I have very few complaints about the film, though because of the nudity (a lot by 1964 standards, not much by today's) it probably isn't a film for young audiences.

Overall, a well-made and quite enjoyable film. I can't wait to see the next one in the series.