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If I Were King

Play trailer Poster for If I Were King 1938,  1h 40m,  Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Stream Now Watchlist - - 4 Reviews Tomatometer 75% 100+ Ratings Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 4 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
In this film based on a true story, King Louis XI (Basil Rathbone) masquerades as a commoner in Paris, seeking out the treachery he is sure lurks in his kingdom. At a local tavern, he overhears the brash poet François Villon (Ronald Colman) extolling why he would be a better king. Annoyed yet intrigued, the King bestows on Villon the title of Grand Constable. Soon Villon begins work and falls for a lovely lady-in-waiting (Frances Dee), but then must flee execution when the King turns on him.
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Critics Reviews

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Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Feb 18, 2023
3/4
Basil Rathbone always projected confidence, intelligence, and authority -- that’s why his mincing, jabbering performance in If I Were King is such an unexpected delight. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Aug 18, 2017
B
Witty fictionalized historical adventure tale of the French 15th century vagabond poet Francois Villon. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Feb 15, 2013
B+
Sharply written by Preston Sturges and well acted by Basil Rathbone, this commercially popular swashbuckler was nominated for four Oscars. Go to Full Review
TV Guide Nov 12, 2007
3.5/4
Colman is without peer in his portrayal of the famous French poet and ne'er-do-well Francois Villon. Go to Full Review
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If I Were King

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Cast & Crew

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Frank Lloyd

Director

Ronald Colman

François Villon

Basil Rathbone

King Louis XI

Frances Dee

Katherine de Vaucelles

Ellen Drew

Huguette

C.V. France

Father Villon

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If I Were King

If I Were King (1938) If I Were King (1938) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this film based on a true story, King Louis XI (Basil Rathbone) masquerades as a commoner in Paris, seeking out the treachery he is sure lurks in his kingdom. At a local tavern, he overhears the brash poet François Villon (Ronald Colman) extolling why he would be a better king. Annoyed yet intrigued, the King bestows on Villon the title of Grand Constable. Soon Villon begins work and falls for a lovely lady-in-waiting (Frances Dee), but then must flee execution when the King turns on him.
Director
Frank Lloyd
Producer
Frank Lloyd
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount
Genre
Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 11, 1938, Original
Release Date (DVD)
May 27, 2014
Runtime
1h 40m
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