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Désirée

  • 1954
  • Approved
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons in Désirée (1954)
The rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France.
Play trailer2:36
1 Video
87 Photos
Period DramaBiographyDramaHistoryRomance

Desiree Clary falls for Napoleon but marries Bernadotte, while Josephine weds Napoleon to become Empress before being dismissed for not producing an heir.Desiree Clary falls for Napoleon but marries Bernadotte, while Josephine weds Napoleon to become Empress before being dismissed for not producing an heir.Desiree Clary falls for Napoleon but marries Bernadotte, while Josephine weds Napoleon to become Empress before being dismissed for not producing an heir.

  • Director
    • Henry Koster
  • Writers
    • Annemarie Selinko
    • Daniel Taradash
  • Stars
    • Marlon Brando
    • Jean Simmons
    • Merle Oberon
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    3.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Henry Koster
    • Writers
      • Annemarie Selinko
      • Daniel Taradash
    • Stars
      • Marlon Brando
      • Jean Simmons
      • Merle Oberon
    • 38User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:36
    Trailer

    Photos87

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    Top cast64

    Edit
    Marlon Brando
    Marlon Brando
    • Napoleon Bonaparte
    Jean Simmons
    Jean Simmons
    • Désirée Clary
    Merle Oberon
    Merle Oberon
    • Empress Josephine
    Michael Rennie
    Michael Rennie
    • Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte
    Cameron Mitchell
    Cameron Mitchell
    • Joseph Bonaparte
    Elizabeth Sellars
    Elizabeth Sellars
    • Julie - Désirée's Sister
    Charlotte Austin
    Charlotte Austin
    • Paulette Bonaparte
    Cathleen Nesbitt
    Cathleen Nesbitt
    • Mme. Bonaparte
    Evelyn Varden
    Evelyn Varden
    • Marie
    Isobel Elsom
    Isobel Elsom
    • Mme. Clary - Désirée's Mother
    John Hoyt
    John Hoyt
    • Talleyrand
    Alan Napier
    Alan Napier
    • Despreaux
    Mary Stewart
    Mary Stewart
    • Minor Role
    Leon Alton
    Leon Alton
    • Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Louis Borel
    • Baron Morner
    • (uncredited)
    Sven Hugo Borg
    Sven Hugo Borg
    • Aide
    • (uncredited)
    Peter Bourne
    • Count Brahe
    • (uncredited)
    Paul Bradley
    Paul Bradley
    • Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Henry Koster
    • Writers
      • Annemarie Selinko
      • Daniel Taradash
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although Marlon Brando didn't take his role seriously--despite every effort by director Henry Koster--"Desiree" outgrossed his other 1954 film, "On the Waterfront (1954)."
    • 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.
    • 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!

    • Connections
      Featured in Biography: Darryl F. Zanuck: 20th Century Filmmaker (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Désirée: Main Title
      (uncredited)

      Composed By Alfred Newman

      Orchestrated By Alexander Courage

    User reviews38

    Featured review

    Gorgeous languid costume peice ..very understated.

    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
    • scott_keyes
    • Mar 23, 2003
    • Permalink

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Désirée?Powered by Alexa
    • Audrey Hepburn---Was She Suppose to Play Desiree?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 11, 1955 (Belgium)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Swedish
    • Also known as
      • Desirée, la amante de Napoleón
    • Filming locations
      • Château de Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, France(location shooting)
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,720,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.55 : 1

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