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 | napoleon bonaparte | 

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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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Swedish

Release Date:

11 February 1955 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

Desirée

Filming Locations:

Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, California, USA

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Marlon Brando decided on doing this movie after having walked away from the lead role in "The Egyptian."

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Quotes

Queen Hedwig: [after Desiree dozes off during a boring concert] I will tell you, my dear daughter, how a Crown Princess of Sweden does not behave. A Crown Princess does *not* fall asleep in public. At court functions, she remains awake and converses, graciously.

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Connections

Featured in Biography: Carolyn Jones: Morticia and More (2002)

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Soundtracks

Te Deum
Composed By Roger Wagner
Orchestrated By Alexander Courage

User Reviews

Fantastic, and beautiful costumes!

I fell in love with Marlon Brando's and Jean Simmons's chemistry in Guys and Dolls, but I didn't know until recently that they'd made another film together prior to their musical pairing. In Desiree, Brando plays Napoleon Bonaparte, and once again, he's paired up with Jean Simmons, the title character. Yes, we all know Bonaparte married a woman named Josephine, not Desiree, so what's the story about?

Daniel Taradash wrote a very interesting script, with exciting, passionate characters. The film lasts decades, starting from Bonaparte's introduction to Desiree, before he changed his name, through the memorable Battle of Waterloo. As famous a figure as he was, the film actually focuses on Desiree, the woman torn between Bonaparte and Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. She's vivacious, loving, strong, and smart. It's easy to see how the two very powerful men fell in love with her.

The Oscar nominated costumes, designed by Charles Le Maire and Rene Hubert, are exquisitely beautiful, and Alex North's theme is very nice. But with all the lovely elements in this film, the best is the sparkling chemistry between Brando and Simmons. There's a magnet between the two; it's incredible. If only they made more movies together, or better yet, enjoyed a long, loving Hollywood marriage! Alas, Jean was married at the time, and I never read anything about an affair between them.