Désirée (1954)

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

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

emperor | napoleonic wars | french revolution | based on book | character name as title | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Merle Oberon accidentally spent too much time under a sunlamp and developed a burn on one side of her face. As a result some of her scenes had to be filmed only from one side until the other side had time to heal.

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Goofs

Napoleon didn't conceive of the idea of attacking Italy. France had been fighting Austria in the War of the First Coalition since April 1792. France and Austria had armies facing each other in northern Italy. Napoleon was appointed to command the French army in Italy on March 1, 1794. he took command on the 26th and proceeded to inflict a series of defeats on the Austrian Army in the eastern Po River valley.

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Quotes

Desiree Clary: [shouting over an icy wind as they dock in Stockholm] I hope we get indoors soon, Jean-Baptiste! I've worn all my warmest underthings and I'm still freezing!
[Her husband raises his eyebrows, a bit shocked but obviously amused]
Desiree Clary: Don't worry, no one's going to pull up my skirts and look!

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Connections

Remake of La sposa dei re (1938)

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Soundtracks

Desiree & Napoleon (PlaIsir D'Amour)
(uncredited)
Composed By Johann Martini
Orchestrated By Alexander Courage

User Reviews

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've never seen a Brando film before. I've never seen a Napoleon film before. But after studying Napoleon in World history class and seeing Desiree, I've come to the conclusion the Brando must be a descendant of Napoleon or something. He IS Napoleon. I wasn't that interested when my grandmother suggested it, but I don't take things at face value. I check it out. True it's not incredibly accurate, historically speaking, though a lot of it is true and someone certainly did their research. If I recall my history class correctly someone once called Napoleon "The greatest Godless man alive." or something like that. But Brando IS Napoleon. No Question.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Swedish

Release Date:

11 February 1955 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

Désirée

Filming Locations:

Paris France

Box Office

Budget:

$2,720,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1