Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

Versailles

Phil Craig

Versailles: Episode 3: Countdown to Revolution

Docudramas

Factual: History

Episode 3

Episode 3: Countdown to Revolution

Countdown to Revolution

BBC Two - Versailles, Countdown to Revolution

Louis XVI and his Queen, Marie Antoinette, attempt to stave off a revolution.

Drama documentary. The French people are starving, but the aristocracy is too busy partying inside the gilded palace of Versailles to take much notice.

Lavish drama-documentary chronicling the final days of the Bourbon dynasty under the ill-fated Louis XVI and his Queen, Marie Antoinette.

Unlike his highly-sexed forebears, it takes Louis seven years to consummate his marriage - and his performance as ruler of France is no more distinguished than his efforts in the royal bed chamber.

The French people are starving, but the aristocracy is too busy partying inside the gilded palace of Versailles to take much notice. Louis tries to make a difference, but his every attempt at reform is blocked by his greedy relatives. Marie Antoinette gets much of the blame for the excesses of the rich, even if she never uttered the famous words "let them eat cake".

As he drifts into depression and madness, Louis and his Queen attempt to stave off a revolution, pleading with the nobility to accept reform. But it is too late - the astonishing extravagance of Versailles, which once served the glory of France so well, backfires into the ending of the monarchy itself.

BBC Two

BBC Two is a TV channel that started broadcasting on the 20th April 1964.

BBC 2

BBC2

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Versailles

Episode 3: Countdown to Revolution

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Series

BBC Two Wales

About BBC Two