La Fayette

La Fayette is a 1961 French-Italian epic biographical film directed by Jean Dréville. It portrays the life of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, focusing in particular on his service for the newly founded United States during the American War of Independence between 1777 and 1781.

The title role went to Michel Le Royer, a French actor born in 1932 who was largely unknown at the time. He is surrounded by an international cast including Jack Hawkins, Liselotte Pulver, Pascale Audret, Vittorio de Sica, and Hollywood legend Orson Welles in the key role of American statesman Benjamin Franklin. Written by Jacques Sigurd and Jean Bernard-Luc, the 158-minute production unfolds as an opulent historical drama.