The heroic escapades of François Villon, poet and ardent patriot, are portrayed by the handsome John Barrymore. Conrad Veidt is Louis XI.
“The supreme triumph of the Gothic tradition in the American silent film. It's a visual stunner, with superb production and set design by William Cameron Menzies, and like Moulin Rouge, irrefutable evidence of the widespread influence of German cinema. It's also a marvellous showcase...for Barrymore (who has some eloquent pantomimic sequences).”