Set in 15th century Paris, a rogue poet matches wits with a crafty king and leads the Empire to victory in the spectacular romantic adventure If I Were King. Ronald Colman is at his swashbuckling best as Francois Villon and Basil Rathbone gives a superb Academy Award-nominated performance for Best Supporting Actor as Louis XI, a tyrant with a besieged city on the verge of revolt. When a twist of fate makes Villon the chief constable, the king gives him a week to save the city and win the love of a beautiful princess (Frances Dee) or die Deliciously wicked repartee abounds in the lavish, fast-paced entertainment which writer Preston Sturges claimed as one of his finest achievements.