Andre Hunebelle directs this talky, standard costume drama set in the court of King Louis XIII in the 17th century. King Louis (Christian Fourcade) has his problems -- a power-hungry regent is trying to take the seat of government right out from underneath him. In order to stave off this bid for power, the king turns to François (Jean Marais), a swordsman and fighter who swashbuckles better than anyone else. François also incurs the wrath of the king's enemy but is compensated by the fact that the lovely Gisele (Elsa Martinelli) has noticed him. Geared more towards the younger audiences, Le Capitan also features a stock comic character, Cogolin, played by Bourvil.