This was Allan Dwan's last film for Universal, as he moved to New York afterward to work at the Famous Players Company and married his lead actress Pauline Bush in 1915.

Upon viewing the original 6-reel version, Moving Picture World had written in their review, "A six-reel production of the celebrated Cardinal Richelieu, following the lines of the famous play by that name....

Baradas (Lon Chaney), a favorite of King Louis XVI, is also in love with Julie, and envies de Mauprat's victories when he winds up winning in battle and returning home a hero.

Baradas is imprisoned instead, Julie winds up marrying de Mauprat, and Richelieu is restored to power.

Motion Picture News wrote: "It is hardly necessary to say that (Allan Dwan) has succeeded in really reproducing this section from this momentous and troubling time in France.....Mr. MacQuarrie's portrayal of Richelieu is really a fine piece of acting."