''Voltaire'' is a 1933 American pre-Code

biographical film A biographical film or biopic () is a film that dramatizes the life of a non-fictional or historically-based person or people. Such films show the life of a historical person and the central character's real name is used. They differ from docudra ...

directed by

John G. Adolfi John Gustav Adolfi (February 19, 1888 – May 11, 1933) was an American silent film director, actor, and screenwriter who was involved in more than 100 productions throughout his career. An early acting credit was in the recently restored 1912 f ...

and starring George Arliss as the renowned 18th-century French writer and philosopher.

Plot

In pre-Revolutionary France, Voltaire champions the oppressed commoners and tries to warn King

Louis XV Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Beloved (french: le Bien-Aimé), was King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774. He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five. Until he reache ...

( Reginald Owen) about the growing unrest among his subjects. The writer has a powerful ally in Madame Pompadour ( Doris Kenyon), Louis' mistress, but the Count de Sarnac ( Alan Mowbray) opposes him for his own ends. When Voltaire pleads for the life of Calas, unjustly accused of treason, Louis is inclined to pardon the man, but Sarnac persuades him that it would be a sign of weakness, and Calas is swiftly executed. As a reward, Sarnac gains the wealthy man's estates. Voltaire invites Calas' daughter and rightful heiress, Nanette ( Margaret Lindsay), to shelter in his home. Meanwhile, Sarnac tries to persuade the King that Voltaire is a traitor, citing his well-known friendship with

Frederick the Great Frederick II (german: Friedrich II.; 24 January 171217 August 1786) was King in Prussia from 1740 until 1772, and King of Prussia from 1772 until his death in 1786. His most significant accomplishments include his military successes in the Sil ...

and claiming that it is he who is betraying French secrets to the Prussian ruler. Louis is not entirely convinced, but does banish Voltaire from his royal court at

Versailles The Palace of Versailles ( ; french: Château de Versailles ) is a former royal residence built by King Louis XIV located in Versailles, about west of Paris, France. The palace is owned by the French Republic and since 1995 has been managed, ...

. As a result, Madame Pompadour becomes reluctant to aid Voltaire further, until he arranges it so that she can overhear from Sarnac's own lips his ambition to replace her as Louis' paramount adviser. Then, she persuades the King to allow Voltaire to stage a new play at Versailles. The production is a thinly disguised portrayal of Calas' execution and the aftermath transposed to an exotic setting. Voltaire hopes to open the King's eyes to his danger. Voltaire recruits Nanette to portray the part of herself. The King is sympathetic to the theatrical Nanette's plight, not recognizing himself as her despised oppressor until Sarnac points it out. Then Louis orders the play stopped before the explanatory final scene and orders that Voltaire be sent to the Bastille. However, hearing of a rich present given to Sarnac by Frederick, Voltaire unmasks the count as the real traitor. Sarnac is arrested, and Nanette's estates are restored to her.

Cast

* George Arliss as

Voltaire François-Marie Arouet (; 21 November 169430 May 1778) was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher. Known by his '' nom de plume'' M. de Voltaire (; also ; ), he was famous for his wit, and his criticism of Christianity—e ...

* Doris Kenyon as Madame Pompadour * Margaret Lindsay as Nanette Calas * Reginald Owen as King Louis XV * Theodore Newton as Francois, a friend of Nanette * Alan Mowbray as the Count de Sarnac * Gordon Westcott as the Captain * Murray Kinnell as Emile * Doris Lloyd as Madame Clarion * Douglass Dumbrille as Oriental King in Play * David Torrence as Dr. Tronchin, Voltaire's doctor * Heinie Conklin as Protester (uncredited)

Box office

According to Warner Bros the film earned $393,000 domestically and $372,000 foreign.

Preservation status

*The film is preserved in the Library of Congress collection.''Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artists Collection at The Library of Congress'', (<-book title) p.203 c.1978 by The American Film Institute Though it has yet to be released on DVD, it does air occasionally on

Turner Classic Movies Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is an American movie-oriented pay-TV network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in 1994, Turner Classic Movies is headquartered at Turner's Techwood broadcasting campus in the Midtown business district of ...

References

External links

* * * {{Use mdy dates, date=June 2015 1933 films American biographical drama films American black-and-white films Films set in the 18th century Films set in France Films based on American novels Biographical films about philosophers Films directed by John G. Adolfi Cultural depictions of Louis XV Cultural depictions of Madame de Pompadour Cultural depictions of Voltaire 1930s biographical drama films 1930s historical films American historical films Warner Bros. films 1933 drama films 1930s English-language films 1930s American films Films scored by Bernhard Kaun