6.4/10
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Désirée (1954)

Not Rated | | Biography, Drama, History | 11 February 1955 (Belgium)
Désirée Poster
The rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France.

Director:

Henry Koster

Writers:

Annemarie Selinko (book), Daniel Taradash

Stars:

Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Merle Oberon | See full cast & crew »
Reviews

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From $3.99 (SD) on Prime Video

Nominated for 2 Oscars. See more awards »

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Cast

Credited cast:
Marlon Brando ... Napoleon Bonaparte
Jean Simmons ... Désirée Clary
Merle Oberon ... Empress Josephine
Michael Rennie ... Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte
Cameron Mitchell ... Joseph Bonaparte
Elizabeth Sellars ... Julie - Désirée's Sister
Charlotte Austin ... Paulette Bonaparte
Cathleen Nesbitt ... Mme. Bonaparte
Evelyn Varden ... Marie
Isobel Elsom ... Mme. Clary - Désirée's Mother
John Hoyt ... Talleyrand
Alan Napier ... Despreaux
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mary Stewart ... Minor Role
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

In Marseilles, France in 1794, Desiree Clary, a young millinery clerk, becomes infatuated with Napoleon Bonaparte, but winds up wedding Genaral Jean-Baptiste Berandotte, an aid to Napoleon who later joins the forces that bring about the Emperor's downfall. Josephine Beauharnais, a worldly courtesan marries Napoleon and becomes Empress of France, but is then cast aside by her spouse when she proves unable to produce an heir to the throne. Written by alfiehitchie

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

emperor | napoleonic wars | french revolution | based on book | napoleon bonaparte | See All (39) »

Taglines:

The life...the women...the conquests of Napoleon!

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
Edit

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Swedish

Release Date:

11 February 1955 (Belgium) See more »

Also Known As:

Desirée See more »

Filming Locations:

Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, California, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Average Shot Length (ASL) = 15 seconds. See more »

Quotes

Count Brahe: You will enjoy life in Sweden, madame. Stockholm is called the Venice of the north.
Desiree Clary: [Shivering] I prefer the Venice of the south!
See more »

Connections

Remake of La sposa dei re (1938) See more »

Soundtracks

Désirée: Main Title
Composed By Alfred Newman
Orchestrated By Alexander Courage
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Audrey Hepburn---Was She Suppose to Play Desiree?
See more »

User Reviews

Gorgeous languid costume peice ..very understated.
24 March 2003 | by scott_keyes – See all my reviews

This movie is a feast for the eyes, and while slow paced and understated will be a very pleasant movie for some people.

This movie has good and simple characters moving through complicated situations that are easily understandable to most of us. The ex-girlfriend who's still a supportive friend, married to best and able friend who's conscience puts him in opposition to his lady's old love etc. etc.

Its a good romance/relationship film set in a gorgeous background using the vehicle of three real and outstanding characters to move through napoleonic history. I don't recall any gross historical errors so it may even be mildly educational too...

Its a VERY good movie, but it isn't exciting or thrilling or passionate or sexy or violent, but if you like your films to be visual feasts and can deal with the fact that sometimes emotions can be less than torrid and overwrought. and that humans have more subtle motives than sex and power.. You might like this
16 of 18 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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