Desirée (1954)
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73% of users liked it
(822 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… 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
- Directed By
- Henry Koster
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Nov 17, 1954 Wide
- Studio
- Fox
Critic Reviews
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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]
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Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
A única performance desinteressante da carreira do sempre magnífico Marlon Brando.
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Cast
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Marlon Brando
as Napoleon Bonaparte
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Jean Simmons
as Desiree Clary
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Merle Oberon
as Empress Josephine
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Michael Rennie
as Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte
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Cameron Mitchell
as Joseph Bonaparte
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Elizabeth Sellars
as Julie Desiree's Sister
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Charlotte Austin
as Paulette
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Cathleen Nesbitt
as Mme. Bonaparte
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Evelyn Varden
as Marie
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Isobel Elsom
as Madame Clary
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Alan Napier
as Despereaux
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Nicholas Koster
as Oscar Desiree's Son
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Richard Deacon
as Etienne
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Edith Evanson
as Queen Hedwig
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Carolyn Jones
as Mme. Tallien
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Sam Gilman
as Fouche
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Larry Craine
as Louis Bonaparte
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Judy Lester
as Caroline Bonaparte
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Louis Borell
as Baron Morner
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Peter Bourne
as Count Brahe
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Dorothy Neumann
as Queen Sofia
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David Leonard
as Barras
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Lester Matthews
as Caulaincourt
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Gene Roth
as Von Essen
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Colin Kenny
as Gen. Becker
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Leonard George
as Pope Pius VII
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Richard Garrick
as Count Reynaud
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Violet Rensing
as Marie Louise
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Sven Hugo Borg
as Aide
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Harry Carter
as Coachman
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Cameron A. Grant
as Montel
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John Hoyt
as Talleyrand
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Marina Koshetz
as Singer
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Kay E. Kuter
as Lacky
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Richard Van Cleemput
as Lucien Bonaparte
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George Brand
as Servant
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Jack George
as Piano Teacher
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Bert Stevens
as Man at Chaumiers
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Jack Mather
as Sergeant
