King on Horseback is a 1958 French adventure film directed by André Berthomieu. The film stars Georges Marchal as Henri La Tour, a talented actor and fearless adventurer who is awarded the title of Count de Saint-Monry by King Louis XV (Jean Debucourt) after saving the life of the monarch's mistress.
However, the Duke of Saint-Sever (Jacques Dumesnil), a jealous nobleman, takes offense at Henri's new title and challenges him to a duel. During their fight, a group of Austrian soldiers suddenly appear and the two rivals are forced to unite in order to repel the invaders.
Despite their newfound camaraderie, Saint-Sever is mortally wounded in the battle and begs Henri to protect his natural daughter Toinon (Mireille Granelli) from harm. Henri agrees to take on this responsibility, and as he escorts Toinon to safety, the two develop a deep and passionate love for each other.
Throughout the film, Henri and Toinon must navigate a variety of obstacles, including treacherous enemies, political intrigue, and the disapproval of their respective social classes. Despite these challenges, however, they remain steadfast in their commitment to each other, ultimately triumphing over their foes and finding happiness together.
King on Horseback is a swashbuckling adventure film that showcases the talents of its charismatic lead actors and offers an intriguing exploration of societal hierarchies and the power of love to transcend them.
