EUROPE IMAGES INTERNATIONAL - M5

Synopsis

In 1866, Michel Chasles, a celebrated French mathematician, member of the Institue and professor at Polytechnique, has a passion: history through autographs. He meets Denis Vrain-Lucas, who claims to have an immense collection of autographs. In fact, Varin-Lucas is a forger, sufficiently talented and charming to fool Chasles who , over three years, buys 20.000 autographs from him. Convinced that he has historical proof, Chasles makes a fool of himself with the scientific community, and causes a diplomatic incident with England. Vrain-Lucas is tried, convicted and put behind bars. This is a true story; the supporting documents are in the French National Library.