Colman and Rathbone at their best
“If I Were King” is a fictionalized drama about 15th century poet Francois Villon, who has a penchant for getting himself into trouble and eventually matches wits with the king. It was made when adventure films were  favorites of moviegoers and among the regular output of the studios.<br /><br />Paris is surrounded by the forces of the Duke of Burgundy, which far outnumber the besieged Parisians. The duke’s plan is to starve the Parisians into submission and claim the throne. King Louis XI (Basil Rathbone, “The Hound of the Baskervilles”) has been hoarding food supplies for himself and the nobles, leaving the common people of Paris to starve and grumble against the king. Only one person, gifted poet and speaker Francois Villon (Ronald Colman, “Lost Horizon”), is brave and clever enough to hijack some of the king’s food stores for the people. He also is the only one who understands that supplying the needs of the commoners will buy the king their goodwill, loyalty, and willingness to fight for him.<br /><br />Pursued to a tavern by the king’s guards after leading a raid on the storehouses, Villon is confronted by Louis himself. Ordinarily, he would condemn the poet to torture and death, but Villon has also done the king a great service by discovering and killing a traitor in Louis’ army. In discussing his dilemma with his prisoner, Louis becomes interested in Villon’s notion that ruling through kindness and compassion rather than fear is more likely to inspire loyalty. Still, the king is skeptical. To show Villon that ruling is no easy task, Louis appoints him Constable of France, in command of the military and the police and chief judge of the kingdom.<br /><br />Villon dispenses justice fairly and liberates food supplies to the people in the name of the king, turning their hatred of him to loyalty. But now that the generals are learning how it feels to go hungry, they are planning to surrender rather than fight. With all this court intrigue, Villon finds time to win over the queen’s lady-in-waiting Katherine DeVaucelles (Frances Dee) with his poetic wooing.<br /><br />With a witty screenplay by Preston Sturges and fast-paced direction by Frank Lloyd, “If I Were A King” is a highly entertaining swashbuckler with outstanding production values. Opulent sets, hundreds of extras in crowd scenes, and excellent performances by the two male leads represent the studio system at its best.<br /><br />Colman, who had started his screen career in silent pictures, provides just the right combination of derring-do, sensitivity, and charm as Villon. A rascal at heart, Villon is able to persuade the king with logic while also showing deference. He is a master of wordsmanship and uses it both to converse on an equal basis with the king and to coo romantically to Lady Katherine. Colman’s voice is musical in the way he delivers his dialogue with carefully modulated tones and emphases. His sensitive reading of the romantic moments make his unexpected jokes all the more delightful. Looking far younger than his 48 years, Colman handles the physical as well as the verbal demands of the role skillfully. Colman’s Villon is a more intellectual version of the swashbuckler character than Errol Flynn as Robin Hood. Both are handy with a sword and sympathetic to the poor and oppressed, but Villon is a deep thinker and knows not every battle can be won with weapons.<br /><br />The pure joy of this film is Basil Rathbone’s performance as Louis XI. With a hunched posture, quivering lips, suspicious glance, and high-pitched cackle of a voice, he takes tiny steps, shuffling his way across the room. His is a wonderfully rich performance. Rathbone’s career is filled with costume pictures in which he played the villain. But here he has the chance to play a more complex character and he delves into the role with devilish relish. He adds immeasurably to the film’s success and was rightfully nominated for a Supporting Actor Academy Award.<br /><br />The best scenes are between Colman and Rathbone as they each try to one-up the other. The repartee is clever and the actors make the most of it with their distinctive line readings. Screenwriter Sturges, who was fluent in French, incorporated translations of Villon’s poetry. He isn’t afraid to humanize King Louis while portraying Villon as a romantic rogue who sees simple solutions that defy others. Director Lloyd knows how to exploit Rathbone’s ability and imagination to create a memorable monarch. “If I Were King” has an epic feel and is a delightful example of studio Golden Age filmmaking.<br /><br />The supporting cast includes Ellen Drew as a woman of the streets, Henry Wilcoxin as Captain of the Watch, C.V. France as Father Villon, and Heather Thatcher as the Queen. Character actors Stanley Ridges, Sidney Toler, and Bruce Lester are also in the cast.<br /><br />Bonus materials on the unrated Blu-ray release include an audio commentary and 6 theatrical trailers.<br /><br />The verbal sparks between Colman and Rathbone are highlights of this adventure tale that combines action, romance, and comedy for a completely engaging experience. Francis Villon is also the subject of “The Beloved Rogue” (1927), starring John Barrymore, and two versions of the musical “The Vagabond King” (1930, 1956).
The movie title "If I Were King," available on Movies & TV, has received an average rating of 4.5 from 113 reviewers. 
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 {"Genre": "Adventure, History", "Contributor": "Henry Wilcoxon, Ronald Colman, Alma Lloyd, Ellen Drew, Sidney Toler, C.V. France, Frank Lloyd, Heather Thatcher, Basil Rathbone, Frances DeeHenry Wilcoxon, Ronald Colman, Alma Lloyd, Ellen Drew, Sidney Toler, C.V. France, Frank Lloyd, Heather Thatcher, Basil Rathbone, Frances Dee   See more", "Language": "English", "Runtime": "1 hour and 41 minutes", "Aspect Ratio": "1.37:1", "MPAA rating": "NR (Not Rated)", "Product Dimensions": "7 x 5 x 1 inches; 2.08 Ounces", "Director": "Frank Lloyd", "Run time": "1 hour and 41 minutes", "Release date": "February 7, 2023", "Actors": "Ronald Colman, Basil Rathbone, Frances Dee, Ellen Drew, Sidney Toler", "Studio": "KL Studio Classics", "Country of Origin": "USA", "Number of discs": "1"}

Here is a brief synopsis of the title : Set in 15th-century Paris, a rogue poet matches wits with a crafty king and leads the Empire to victory in the spectacular romantic adventure If I Were King. Screen great Ronald Colman (Lost Horizon, A Double Life) is at his swashbuckling best as François Villon and Basil Rathbone (The Mad Doctor) gives a superb Academy Award-nominated performance for Best Supporting Actor as Louis XI, a tyrant with a besieged city on the verge of revolt. When a twist of fate makes Villon the chief constable, the king gives him a week to save the city and win the love of a beautiful princess (Frances Dee, The Crime of the Century)…or die! Deliciously wicked repartee abounds in the lavish, fast-paced excitement, which legendary writer Preston Sturges (The Great McGinty) claimed as one of his finest achievements. Directed by Frank Lloyd (Mutiny on the Bounty, The Last Command)..