the famous escapes

Aired 1972-03-06

After the death of Louis XIII, the Duc de Beaufort, the late king's legitimate nephew, continued to intrigue against Mazarin. Mazarin, supported by the Queen who saw in him a man of government, imprisoned the Duke in the Château de Vincennes, where he remained for five years. But his friends, the Condés and the Duchesse de Montbazon, tried to free him. Mazarin and the Queen laughed at an astrologer's prediction that the escape would take place on Whit Sunday 1649. And yet, the Duc de Beaufort received unexpected support even in his own prison.

Aired 1972-03-13

In Paris, in the spring of 1815, Count Antoine Marie Charmans de Lavalette learns that Napoleon has landed at Golfe-Juan. Without delay, Bonaparte's former aide-de-camp helped organize the Emperor's grand return. But things went badly wrong: after the defeat at Waterloo and the return of Louis XVIII to the throne, the white terror set in. Lavalette, one of the first outlaws, was arrested, tried and sentenced to death, before being executed on December 21, 1815.

Aired 1972-03-20

In 1748, following a misunderstanding, Latude incurred the wrath of the Marquise de Pompadour, who had him imprisoned in the Bastille. He managed to escape three times, each time recaptured, before finally regaining his freedom in 1784.

Aired 1972-03-27

In 532, King Clovis died and his son Theodoric, who succeeded him, took Attale, son of the Count of Autun, hostage. Gregory, bishop of Langres and Attale's uncle, orders the faithful Leon to send his nephew away. Leon manages to get himself hired as Theodoric's cook and frees Attale and the young German princess Yseut, with whom he has fallen in love in the meantime.

Aired 1972-04-03

January 1807, Poland is liberated from the Prussian yoke after the Battle of Jena. Emperor Napoleon visits the castle of Hungarian baron Wolfgang von Kempelen, and notices the automata designed by the baron, who died in 1804, in particular the Turkish chess player.

Aired 1972-04-15

1597: Lieutenant Louis de la Pivardière returns from war to find his wife in an awkward situation, and a heated argument ensues. The next morning, M. de la Pivardière disappeared. The wife is accused of murdering her husband.

Aired 1972-04-17

In 1755, Casanova returned to his native Venice, but was arrested for libertinism and Masonic practices. After thirteen months of imprisonment at the Piombi, with his trial still pending, Casanova decided to escape.

Aired 1972-10-30

In 1538, under false accusation from the Prince of Farnese, Benvenuto Cellini was imprisoned for allegedly stealing jewels belonging to Pope Clement VII.

Aired 1972-11-06

In 1811, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a treasury vault is robbed. Inspector Lamb is put in charge of the investigation...

Aired 1972-11-13

In the 17th century, Colonel Georg Jenatsch, a native of Graubünden, liberated Valtellina from the Spaniards on behalf of the Duke of Rohan. Disguised as a peasant, he managed to break into a Spanish fortress to obtain information. But when he was recognized, he was imprisoned and had to be executed.

Aired 1972-11-20

In the 18th century, led by Prince Rakoczi, the Hungarians rebelled against the despotism of Emperor Leopold I. Using a trap, the emperor's men arrested him and locked him up in the fortress of Wiener Neustadt.

Aired 1972-11-27

In the 15th century, after being dismissed by the Republic of Venice, the condottier Bartolomeo Colleoni entered the service of the Duke of Milan. But he was soon accused of playing a double game for the benefit of Venice. He was arrested and taken in chains to the prison of the Fools at Monza Castle.

Aired 1972-12-04

Sovereign of the provinces of Hainaut, Holland, Zeeland and Friesland, Jacqueline de Bavière led a peaceful existence in the first quarter of the 15th century. However, she found herself at the heart of a political and military conflict between the Dukes of Burgundy and the English. Imprisoned along with her maid, she must use her beauty and intelligence to escape.