Versailles

:

Season 1
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
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Critic Reviews

  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ray Rahman
    Sep 27, 2016
    67
    Not quite as smart as the recent Wolf Hall or as deliciously decadent as the bygone The Tudors, Versailles fails to live up to its regal potential. [30 Sep 2016, p.54]
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  2. Collider
    Reviewed by: Allison Keene
    Sep 28, 2016
    60
    The sprawling story is definitely more concerned with soapy plots than the realities of court and the battle for power between the Protestant and Roman Catholic Church, a la Wolf Hall, but like Versailles itself the results are charmingly ostentatious.
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Sep 20, 2016
    60
    It is frequently lovely to behold. The real Versailles is of course gorgeous, and the series renders the palace through expensive sets and substantial on-location filming. But like the plot, the prettiness is a little superficial; this is more the CW’s “Reign” than Starz’s “Outlander.”
  5. Los Angeles Daily News
    Reviewed by: Rob Lowman
    Sep 30, 2016
    50
    Versailles has glamor and spectacle, but it’s hardly an epic drama. It dreamily drifts along for the first few episodes, introducing the characters and concentrating on outrageous behavior. All the military-strategy sessions blur together.
  6. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Sep 27, 2016
    50
    The first four episodes of the series are rather talky, although heaven knows there are moments of eye-opening action of the carnal variety. ... But the talk, at least, is revealing and sophisticated, not to mention often filled with intrigue.
  7. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Keith Uhlich
    Sep 30, 2016
    40
    The series looks astoundingly cheap. ... The anachronistic electronic score by Eduardo Noya Schreus, aka NOIA, gives a galvanizing jolt to what is otherwise an irritatingly unoriginal production.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 27
  3. Negative: 8 out of 27
  1. Harv
    Sep 1, 2018
    0
    Dreadful. Clunky plot lines. Bad dialogue. Flat and lacking any dramatic variation. Ridiculous changes of heart of character that make noDreadful. Clunky plot lines. Bad dialogue. Flat and lacking any dramatic variation. Ridiculous changes of heart of character that make no sense either rationally or emotionally. Foster's no affinity, relatability, or sense of caring towards any of the characters. Terribly weak and feeble finale. I can't believe two additional series were commissioned of this dreck.… Full Review »
  2. EludiumQ36
    Oct 16, 2017
    2
    Look guys, I couldn't get past the first episode and i WANTED to like this. I loved the concept and the period setting, however the writing isLook guys, I couldn't get past the first episode and i WANTED to like this. I loved the concept and the period setting, however the writing is all about gratuitous str and gay sex. And there's just problems of situational plausibility all over. One of the most egregious is when the king decides to ride the grounds on his own and no less than 20 of his attendants are like "where's the king?!" Seriously?! No less than three personal attendants would know of his whereabouts at all times not to mention his own personal guardian force. With such lazy writing and story architecture it was clear that this is a poor choice for my time and attention, at least.… Full Review »
  3. kstay
    Dec 27, 2016
    2
    Versailles, a French TV show, was written and filmed in English in order to appeal to a global audience. Swing and a miss. However, the useVersailles, a French TV show, was written and filmed in English in order to appeal to a global audience. Swing and a miss. However, the use of English is not the issue here. Fundamentally, the story of the Sun King is rich and worthy of a high-production value TV Series. Considering the recent success and popularity of the fantasy and political genres, with shows such as Game of Thrones and House of Cards receiving both popular and critical acclaim, it is no wonder Versailles came into being. However, the depth of political and historical intrigue in Louis XIV is lost in this production. Versailles is at best mildly interesting for it's lavish sets and costumes. At worst it is a melodramatic soap-opera posing as relevant televised narrative of the life of one of the most consequential rulers of early modernity. Instead of an intense political drama of a determined ruler trying to consolidate power and cement his legacy we are given something that better resembles Cinemax attempting to adapt a Jane Austen novel.… Full Review »
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