| Release Date: | Mar 1927 |
|---|---|
| Genres: | Adventure / Drama / History / Romance |
| Runtime: | 99 min |
| Cast: | John Barrymore (François Villon), Conrad Veidt (King Louis XI), Marceline Day (Charlotte de Vauxcelles), Lawson Butt (Duke of Burgundy) Henry Victor (Thibault d'Aussigny) Slim Summerville (Jehan) Mack Swain (Nicholas) Angelo Rossitto (Beppo - the Dwarf) Nigel De Brulier (Astrologer) Lucy Beaumont (Villon's Mother) Otto Matieson (Olivier (as Otto Mattiesen)) Jane Winton (The Abbess) Rose Dione (Margot) Bertram Grassby (Duke of Orleans) Dick Sutherland (Tristan l'Hermite) Martha Franklin (Maid (uncredited)) Stubby Kruger ((uncredited)) Dickie Moore (Baby Francois (uncredited)) |
In 1432, while François Villon is still an infant, his father dies as a martyr to his devotion to France. François grows up to be a renowned poet, an ardent patriot, and a notorious carouser who is not above criminal acts. During the revels of All Fools Day, he insults Duke Charles of Burgundy, for which King Louis XI, who is afraid of Charles, banishes Villon from Paris. In exile outside the city walls, François looks for ways to protect France from Burgundy's plots. When Charles plans to have one of his associates marry the king's ward Charlotte, Villon successfully disrupts the engagement, but for so doing is sentenced to death. But Villon finds a way to exploit Louis's superstitious nature long enough to give him another chance to serve France, while at the same time seeking the hand of Charlotte.
