Guillaume, la jeunesse du conquérant (2017)
Directed by Fabien Drugeon

Film Synopsis

In 1066 William the Conqueror is poised to make his historic invasion of England.  Fearing that the coming attack may not be successful, he presents his son Robert to his loyal barons as his successor to the throne of Normandy in the event of his non-return.  William's right-arm man, Wilhelm, takes it upon himself to recount to Robert the story of his father's youth.  It begins thirty years ago, when Robert the Great, William's father, is about to undertake a pilgrimage to Palestine and appoints William as his successor.  Not everyone in the Normandy parliament supports the appointment.  The Norman baron Renouf is set against it, and William's illegitimate status would seen to preclude him from being the rightful claimant to the Normandy throne.  In the event, Robert gets his way and his parliament accepts William as his heir.  In his absence, Robert appoints Gilbert of Brionne as the ruler of the duchy.  When, a year later, news of Robert's death reaches Normandy, panic breaks out.  Young William's life is in peril as rival factions make ready to seize the throne and usurp the rightful duke.  Osbern, one of the few nobles loyal to Robert, acts in time to conduct William to safety, but the likelihood of William succeeding his father appear more remote than ever...