Le Miracle des loups (1961) - film review

Charles le Téméraire, Duke of Burgandy, has ambitions to seize the throne of France from his cousin, King Louis XI.  When the king’s goddaughter, Jeanne de Beauvais, refuses to marry him, the Duke has her abducted and throws suspicion on his rival, Robert de Neuville.  Whilst the latter is occupied in rescuing Jeanne, the Duke of Burgandy hatches a scheme to depose the King…

This swashbuckling historical adventure is typical a genre of film that was very popular in France in the late 1950s and early 1960s – almost invariably with Jean Marais playing the role of an indefatigable, epee-thrusting action hero.  Le Miracle des loups was directed by André Hunebelle, who was particularly adept at making this kind of film, and is a remake of a 1924 film by Raymond Bernard.  The excellent production values and solid performances from a great cast (notably Jean-Louis Barrault as Louis XI) are not quite matched by the script, which is plodding and weak on character.  The film only really comes to life in its second half, which includes some exciting, well-directed fight sequences.

© James Travers 2007

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