The Death of Louis XIV

In 1715, the 77-year-old King Louis XIV of France (Jean-Pierre Léaud) returned to Versailles from a hunting trip, complaining of pain in his leg. Over the fortnight that followed, as a parade of healers--competents and quacks--labored over the gangrene that would claim his life, the waning Sun King was forced to confront duty, legacy, and mortality. Director Albert Serra’s fascinating historical piece also stars Patrick d'Assumçao, Marc Susini, Bernard Belin, Irène Silvagni. 115 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: French; Subtitles: English. In French with English subtitles.