Under the Red Robe (1937 film)

Under the Red Robe
Under the Red Robe
Directed by	Victor Sjöström
Written by	Arthur Wimperis
Screenplay by	Lajos Bíró; Philip Lindsay; J.L. Hodson
Based on	Under the Red Robe; by Stanley J. Weyman
Produced by	Robert Kane
Starring	Conrad Veidt ; Annabella ; Raymond Massey
Cinematography	James Wong Howe; Georges Périnal
Edited by	James B. Clark
Music by	Arthur Benjamin
Production; company	New World Pictures
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release dates	31 May 1937 (United States); 8 November 1937 (United Kingdom);
Countries	United Kingdom; United States
Language	English

Under the Red Robe is a 1937 British-American historical adventure film directed by Victor Sjöström and starring Conrad Veidt, Annabella and Raymond Massey. Previously filmed as a 1923 silent directed by Alan Crosland. Before the films a play had been produced on Broadway in 1896-97 starring Viola Allen and William Faversham.^[1] The film is based on the 1894 novel by Stanley J. Weyman and is set during the religious wars of early 17th century France; events in the novel itself means it can be dated to the autumn of 1630.

Plot

Notorious gambler and dreaded swordsman Gil de Berault returns to Paris after carrying out a mission for the 'Red Robe' or Cardinal Richelieu and finds him concerned by growing opposition from French Protestants or Huguenots in the south. He also warns de Berault dueling has been outlawed and henceforth punishable by death but Gil promptly disobeys the law and is sentenced to be executed as a result. The Cardinal offers de Berault a pardon if he is able to capture the Protestant Duc de Foix who is organizing plans for an uprising. Gil agrees, travels to the duke's home and is allowed to stay as a guest, but the duke's wife and his sister Lady Marguerite immediately suspect he is a spy. Nevertheless, he makes good progress but then falls in love with Marguerite, forcing him to choose between conscience and self-interest.