If you've seen "If I Were King" (either the 1920 or 1938 version), or read Sir Walter Scott's "Quentin Durward" (1823) then you will be familiar with the basis of this quite enjoyable, if a little slow, historical drama. François Villon (John Barrymore) is the populist poet who falls foul of King Louis XI (Conrad Veidt) when he offends the visiting Charles, Duke of Burgundy (Lawson Butt). Banished from Paris as a punishment, he must use his popularity - he has just been elected "King of the Fools" - and his contacts at the Court of Miracles, the ultimate den of iniquity, to keep his country fro...