A first day of the year in accordance with Piedmontese tradition

First of all, thank you to everyone who took the time to leave very nice comments on my New Year's post!

It was too cold to set foot outside, so I chose my cozy cocoon instead with something to read, a day watching one of the French series which is among the most famous achievements of television, and the pleasure of a visit from my eldest nephew who still allowed me to drink a glass of champagne: what more could you ask for?

I respected the tradition: the first meal of the year consisted mainly of a dish of lentils… This is not the time to risk running out of money.

And a few hours of immersion in the court intrigues of France in the 14th century.

The cursed kings: a series of seven historical novels by Maurice Druon published between 1955 and 1977. I have read them at least three times – except the last opus.

I saw the two adaptations that were made on public television.

This is the first one that I consider the best, and which I watched again between December 31st and January 1st. A host of details that I had forgotten enchanted me…

Directed by Claude Barma and broadcast in 1972, adapted by Marcel Jullian, with music by Georges Delerue, the series (6 episodes of 102 minutes) constitutes a model of the genre. The director declared that he did not want to do a historical reconstruction at any cost, his work rather resembles filmed theater, in the style of the great television “dramas”, like so many master paintings.

And what a host of actors! What constumes…what dialogues!

Robert d'Artois played by Jean Piat, flamboyant, Georges Marchal as Philippe le Bel, the iron king, Louis Seigner who plays a subtle Lombard banker, Geneviève Casile as the humiliated and accusatory Queen of England, Catherine Rouvel as a hyper companion toxic of the terrible Countess Mahaut played with anger by Hélène Duc… They forever embody for me these characters to whom Druon gave life.

Political struggles and inexpiable revenge: our leaders today have not invented anything!

It seems that this series inspired Game of Thrones???

The cursed kings, series by Claude Barma adapted from the novels of Maurice Druon, currently visible on the parliamentary channel (LCP) and on INA Madelen (subscription to the platform costs €30 per year)