Desirée (1954)

72% of users liked it
(808 ratings)

Director Henry Koster and writer Daniel Taradash speculate mightily in this historical tableau charting the rise and fall of Napoleon (Marlon Brando), all due to his unrequited love for noblewoman Desiree (Jean Simmons). The film takes a chronological view of Napoleon's reign and posits Napoleon's… More Director Henry Koster and writer Daniel Taradash speculate mightily in this historical tableau charting the rise and fall of Napoleon (Marlon Brando), all due to his unrequited love for noblewoman Desiree (Jean Simmons). The film takes a chronological view of Napoleon's reign and posits Napoleon's love of a woman he wanted to marry as a young general but abandoned for the sake of his career. Both Napoleon and Desiree go their separate ways -- he to become Emperor of France and loveless husband to Josephine (Merle Oberon) and she to become Sweden's disinterested Queen. Napoleon and Desiree meet up again in a whimsical confrontation in which Desiree urges the Little Corporal to surrender and go to St. Helena. The film is based on a novel by Annemarie Selinko that, like the film, takes wild liberties with the truth. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Henry Koster
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 17, 1954 Wide

Critic Reviews

Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
This story framed as a historical account of the only woman to stand up to Napoleon doesn't quite conquer our interest, though it is itself an intriguing piece of Hollywood history due to the presence of Brando in an iconic role. [Blu-ray]
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
A única performance desinteressante da carreira do sempre magnífico Marlon Brando.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

jean simmons and merle oberon are very good, brando affected

Cast

            Marlon Brando as Napoleon Bonaparte

            Jean Simmons as Desiree Clary

            Merle Oberon as Empress Josephine

            Michael Rennie as Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte

            Cameron Mitchell as Joseph Bonaparte

            Elizabeth Sellars as Julie Desiree's Sister

            Charlotte Austin as Paulette

            Cathleen Nesbitt as Mme. Bonaparte

            Evelyn Varden as Marie

            Isobel Elsom as Madame Clary

            Alan Napier as Despereaux

            Nicholas Koster as Oscar Desiree's Son

            Richard Deacon as Etienne

            Edith Evanson as Queen Hedwig

            Carolyn Jones as Mme. Tallien

            Sam Gilman as Fouche

            Larry Craine as Louis Bonaparte

            Judy Lester as Caroline Bonaparte

            Louis Borell as Baron Morner

            Peter Bourne as Count Brahe

            Dorothy Neumann as Queen Sofia

            David Leonard as Barras

            Lester Matthews as Caulaincourt

            Gene Roth as Von Essen

            Colin Kenny as Gen. Becker

            Leonard George as Pope Pius VII

            Richard Garrick as Count Reynaud

            Violet Rensing as Marie Louise

            Sven Hugo Borg as Aide

            Harry Carter as Coachman

            Cameron A. Grant as Montel

            John Hoyt as Talleyrand

            Marina Koshetz as Singer

            Kay E. Kuter as Lacky

            Richard Van Cleemput as Lucien Bonaparte

            George Brand as Servant

            Jack George as Piano Teacher

            Bert Stevens as Man at Chaumiers

            Jack Mather as Sergeant
See full cast