The King's Whore

The King's Whore is a 1990 drama film directed by Axel Corti, starring Timothy Dalton and Valeria Golino. It was entered into the 1990 Cannes Film Festival.

Plot

Set in the 17th century, an Italian nobleman weds an impoverished countess, who is wooed by the Duke of Piedmont and faces pressure from his entire court to succumb to his wishes.

Cast

Timothy Dalton as Vittorio Amedeo II
Valeria Golino as Jeanne de Luynes
Stéphane Freiss as Le Comte di Verrua
Robin Renucci as Charles de Luynes
Margaret Tyzack as La Comtesse douairière
Eleanor David as La Reine
Paul Crauchet as Le Duc de Luynes
Amy Werba as Heloïse
Franco Valobra as Le Duc d'Aoste
Francesca Reggiani as Marie Christine
Leonardo Ruta as Le Prince Vittorio
Luigi Bonos as 2nd Priest
Elisabeth Kaza as Countess Trevie
Lea Padovani as Countess Cumiana
Anna Bonaiuto as Countess Longhi

Release

Originally picked up by Miramax Films for U.S. distribution, the film was never given the benefit of a U.S. theatrical release. The film was shown at various film festivals and in theaters overseas. The film was finally released on videocassette in 1993 by Vidmark Entertainment in the United States and in Canada by C/FP Video. In 2002, the film was released on a budget DVD by Platinum Disc.