Désirée (1954) Online

Henry Koster directed many films with considerable charm and flair... His attempts at drama were for the most part less successful but always visually pleasant... He was nominated for an Academy Award for directing "The Bishop's Wife" in 1947... His reputation as a skilled artist led to his assignment as director of the first film in CinemaScope, "The Robe."

Koster does manage to keep the dynamism of "Désirée" and is excellent on both the technical level as on the screen acting... The film won Oscar Nominations for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color & Best Costume Design...

His high moment of the film was 'The Coronation Ceremony' where after the blessing of the crowns Napoleon seizes the crown from the Pope Pius VII and crowns first himself, then Josephine (Merle Oberon), Napoleon's first wife... (This petite brunette looked particularly ravishing as the empress).

Marlon Brando proved his versatility playing the great French soldier-statesman, a man insatiably ambitious, exceptionally intelligent, prompt to make decisions... Brando's performance is cool, calculating, compulsive, using a calm, measured English accent, providing the role its wise temperature of the most celebrated personage in the history of France & Europe...

British actor Michael Rennie plays the revolutionary general Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte with a noticed antipathy for his rival... Bernadotte shifts his allegiances, forming alliances with Russia, Great Britain & Prussia, contributing in the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Leipzig...

Jean Simmons - lovely as ever with her delicate beauty - gives the story fluid charm of a seventeen-year-old girl to a self-confident woman... We see her running through the streets of Marseilles, growing up in the outcome of the French Revolution, recording her daily written account of events, witnessing Napoleon's arrest...

Rescued from the threat of a jump into the Seine, Désirée rejects Napoleon's advances, and marries Count Bernadotte, now a Marshall of France...

Désirée was a romantic figure involved with two opposite characters: one as Emperor of France with an eternal search for wars and glory, and a king, uncertain sometimes about his capacities, with the necessity of a beloved queen besides him...

If not viewed as a history lesson, this fictionalized biopic is good entertainment and at least a point of departure for a study of a great French leader...

I have noticed that several posters have commented on the "anti-feminist" aspects of this movie. I think they have missed the point in this particular movie. The whole point is that history is capricious - anything can happen. Even an admittedly-not-too-bright-with-no-ambitions-above-wife-and-mother woman can suddenly be caught up in world affairs and be loved by two of the great men of her time. And that's basically what happened, historically. Desiree had no ambition or desire to be what she became - a queen, and the founder of a dynasty that still exists today. Hence, her dialog. Feminist criticisms are beside the point.

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

Marlon Brando proved his stature as one of the greatest movie actors over and over again - from "A Streetcar Named Desire" through "On the Water Front" all the way to "The Godfather." In the light of his marvelous performance as Napoleon I. in "Desiree," it seems surprising that this movie doesn't quite get the same attention as those others he starred in. "Desiree" seems even more underrated when you take into account the great acting of Jean Simmons (Desiree Clary), Merle Oberon (Josephine Beauharnais), and Michael Rennie (Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte). All four main actors deliver powerful performances giving the viewer a real sense of the powerful personalities they embody.

The story is that of Napoleon, however, seen through the eyes of his first fiancée, Desiree Clary, daughter of a wealthy Marseilles merchant, whom Napoleon leaves to wed Josephine Beauharnais. The Beauharnais's political connections facilitate the military leader's rise to political power, but Napoleon dumps her for Marie Luise of Austria when it turns out that Josephine is unable to bear children.

Meanwhile, Desiree marries Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, one of Napoleons most distinguished generals. Thus, Desiree remains in Napoleon's orbit, and the Emperor repeatedly distinguishes her amongst the ladies of his court, making it clear that his love for her never fully died out. When the Swedish parliament offers her throne to her husband, Desiree follows Bernadotte to his new country. But since she's unable to adapt to the stiff protocol of the Swedish court, Desiree returns to France, just in time to see Napoleon make the tragic mistake of leading the "grande armee" to Russia.

Marlon Brando masterfully conveys the image of a charismatic leader who believes himself chosen by destiny to fulfill a task of truly historic proportions. In every scene, Brando's Napoleon commands attention and obedience by way of natural authority. From the moment he enters the Clarys' family parlor and seizes control of the evening conversation all the way through his bitter discussions with Bernadotte about the latter's acceptance of the Swedish crown to his acknowledgment of defeat after the Battle of Waterloo – Brando shows us a dignified, determined, and at times dangerous leader.

Just one - hilariously funny - example: There is a scene in which the court is rehearsing for the 1804 coronation of Napoleon and Josephine in Notre Dame with the future Emperor not present. Napoleon's sisters refuse to carry Josephine's train and bicker about their brother's not bestowing enough honors and titles upon them. All of a sudden, Brando's voice is heard "May I be of help in this difficult and strategic operation?", and the entire court bows down in deference. As Marlon Brando walks through the ranks of the lickspittles, everything seems in perfect order. He IS the Emperor in the same way that he just IS the godfather. And it's that natural authority that Brando conveys throughout the film.

Simmons's Desiree on the other hand is charming. The character is not designed to have the same powerful screen presence – though it lends itself to the movie's title – but nonetheless Desiree is an interesting character in that she exhibits human growth. The character starts as a naïve, flirtatious teenager infatuated by the "bovarisme" of romantic novels; she's just as overjoyed at commanding the attention of a general as she's heartbroken on finding out that Napoleon is going to marry Josephine. She then moves on to becoming the traditional mother figure as she has a son with Bernadotte; a desirable woman willing and able to bear responsibility, but without any greater intellectual ambition. And she finally reaches a stage of intellectual maturity which enables her to convince the Emperor in a grand, though highly fictionalized scene that it is better to surrender to the allied forces than to shed more blood in a futile attempt to save the bits and pieces of his shattered empire after the Battle of Waterloo. It is this development that is mirrored in Simmons's performance at all stages.

Oberon and Rennie as Josephine and Bernadotte are congenial counterparts – though their characters have considerably less screen time and are of lesser importance to the plot. Particularly Oberon's air of desolation in the scene in which she speaks with Desiree about Napoleon's decision to marry Marie Louise is impressive. So, too, are the aforesaid discussions between Bernadotte and Napoleon. Brando's Napoleon commands the scene here too, but there is an authentic sense that Rennie's Bernadotte is doggedly refusing to give in to his former commander's demands.

"Desiree" is an underrated movie, especially given the comparatively low IMDb-rating, which remains mysterious to me. The performance of Brando is outstanding; those of Simmons, Oberon, and Rennie are remarkable as well. It goes without saying that the costumes are lavish and the cinematography impressive. A top movie in the genre of historic drama.

I have commented before on the paucity of American films dealing with the history of Canada and Mexico (our next door neighbors). We are easily receptive to films made here or in the British Commonwealth about the history of England, and then we have a tendency to enjoy films about the history of France. But then it is spotty. Films about Germany deal with it's military history or the Nazis (how many Americans would sit through a film about Goethe or Schiller - a few years back a film about Beethoven appeared, and was not a box office favorite).

It gets weaker too when we edge to Scandanavia. Ask how many historic films deal with Sweden (which once was the dominant power in Eastern Europe) I can only recall two historical films made in America: "Queen Christina" and "Desiree". The former showed Greta Garbo (finally playing a Swedish person of importance) as the 17th Century ruler who abdicated in 1655. The latter dealt with French people surrounding one of the world's most fascinating men: Napoleon Bonaparte. But Napoleon was Marlon Brando, and the film followed the career of one of the women in Napoleon's life who ended up not in bed with him but with one of his rivals. Desiree Clary (Jean Simmons) had dated Napoleon when he was a young officer, but his career and ambitions took him away from her. However, she met a rival of Bonaparte, Jean Bernadotte. Bernadotte (who would eventually rise to be one of the Emperor's Marshalls, and a persistent critic, was sent into ambassadorial exile in 1809 to Sweden, taking his wife and son with him.

As French Ambassador to Stockholm, he ingratiated himself into the affections of the childless King of Sweden, as well as the people. In 1811, shortly before his death, the King of Sweden made Bernadotte his heir - and the Swedish public acclaimed the decision. It turned out to be very wise: Bernadotte had grown disgusted by Napoleon's continuous warfare, and once he became King of Sweden he joined with the Russians and Austrians and Prussians in working for the end of Napoleons wars. As a result, in 1815, the Congress of Vienna accepted Bernadotte's title as King, and even granted him territory (all of Norway) taken from Napoleon's faithful ally, Denmark. This forced union lasted until 1905 (it was peacefully settled). But the family of the Bernadottes still are the reigning family of Sweden.

The film is lopsided. Simmons plays her role well enough, but it is not really developed as an independent character. Her husband is played by Michael Rennie, and he does what he can to show his growing disenchantment with his rival. Brando is superb as Bonaparte - witness the scene where to satisfy his sisters who resent having to hold the train of their sister-in-law Josephine (Merle Oberon, in a touching and sad performance), gives them silly titles that they are so happy to get as awards for holding the train. But such scenes are rare. The film is not as static and dull as Sacha Guitry's 1955 film "Napoleon", but it has an improbable script. While I will note that Napoleon did more than anyone to spread the ideals of the French Revolution around Europe and the world, he never mouthed a statement that he sought to create a United States of Europe (as Brando, at the end of the film, tells Simmons). More likely he wanted a United States of Napoleon, though one where there was more opportunity for everyone to move upwardly than in the 18th Century courts that existed. It is a colorful film, and the performances are not bad (especially Brando and Oberon), but it ain't French history. But I'll give it a 6 for a brief window into Swedish history.

My first introduction to this stroy was when my best friend gave me a copy of a very battered "Desiree" by Annemarie Selinko. When I found this movie, I was skeptical. I love the book, and most often, when books are made into movies, they are ruined. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the movie fit in so well with the book, and in fact used some of the same dialogue.

I felt that all of the actors did a remarkable job. Desiree was almost exactly the way that I had pictured her. Jean-Baptiste was also very like the image I had previously formed. Napoleon was amazing. He was so like the real Napoleon, I didn't have any trouble beliving that it really was him. Even though there were some things left out, like the end of the book and therefore the end of the story, I enjoyed it very much. I would not object to seeing this movie more, and it made my love for the book increase a great deal.

If you loved the movie, and even if you didn't, I would suggest getting a copy of the book. The romance between Desiree and Napoleon is much more pronounced as well as Desiree's love for Jean-Baptiste. The story-line is the same, but the end gives you the much needed satisfaction of seeing Desiree back in Sweden.

In my opinion, this is a first-rate movie, and I reccommend it to all.

Desiree marks the first of two films that Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons did together, the second being Guys and Dolls. Brando had his problems with both films, he did not like Desiree at all.

Probably because first and foremost the film is about the title character who Jean Simmons plays. Desiree Clary the daughter of a Marseilles merchant who meets and falls in love with a young French general Napoleon Bonaparte during the years of the revolution. Of course history teaches us about the rise and fall of Napoleon. And it comments about his numerous affairs of which Desiree was the first. She was engaged to marry Napoleon, but instead he married the older, wealthier, and far more connected Josephine played by Merle Oberon.

Not to fret though, Desiree instead marries Count Bernadotte who was one of Napoleon's Marshals of France played by Michael Rennie. And when the Swedish Royal House of Vasa is destined to die out, the Swedish Parlimament elects Rennie to be the heir apparent. That does put him on a collision course with Brando who expects a little loyalty from his marshals. Rennie however sees his duty lies with the Swedish people.

Caught between both men and the politics of two countries, Jean Simmons gives a fine performance as a woman with more strength than she knew. The Swedish Royal line today is descended from their child who became King Oscar I of Sweden in 1844. Despite fine performances by Brando, Oberon, and Rennie, Desiree is first and foremost Jean Simmons film.

Desiree got two Oscar nominations for Costume Design and Art&Set Design for a color film. It came up short though at the Oscar sweepstakes. Still it's a fairly accurate portrayal of the historical events.

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.

The film is partially based on historic deeds but predominates the sentimental drama . It develops parallels lives between Napoleon and Desiree. The story starts in Marseilles 1794 , when Robespierre fall , Napoleon is detained but after is freed . Soon Napoleon is rising through the military ranks in the Grand Armee , winning the loyalty of the people . After the conquest of Tolon , Napoleon forms a Directory and in 18 Brumario executes a coup détat in Saint Cloud , being named first Consul (1799) by means of bayonets . He undergoes the Italian campaign and vanquishes Austrians in Marengo, later the Egypt campaign though is defeated in San Vicente , Trafalgar and Abukir (Egypt). In 1796 , he married Josefina Beauharmais, but she can't give him a child , he has to make some dynastic decision and begins to lose control. As proclaiming himself Emperor (1804) at Notre Dame in the presence of Pope Pio XII. As he marries Maria Luisa , daughter of Austrian Emperor . As he named his brothers and sisters as kings , princes and princesses , as Jose (Cameron Mitchell) who married Julia(Elizabeth Sellars), Desiree's sister, they were proclaimed kings of Spain. As the disaster of campaign of Rusia 1812 (Borodino) , then is formed a coalition between Prussians, Austrians and Russians that defeated him in Leipzig and is banished island of Elba . But he returned , 1815, with the¨ One hundred Days Empire¨ being ultimately vanquished in Waterloo . While Desiree ( Jean Simmons) married French General Jean Baptiste Bernadotte ( Michael Rennie)who was appointed French Ambassador to Stockholm . In 1811, shortly before his death, the King of Sweden without descendants named Bernadotte his heir and the people recognized as successor winning the loyalty of the Swedish, it resulted to be a great decision . One time became King of Sweden he united with other countries for the end of Napoleons wars , collaborating in the battle of Leipzig (1813) and Waterloo (1815). In 1815, the Congress of Vienna acclaimed Bernadotte's title as King, and even granted him lands including Norway taken from Napoleon's faithful ally , Denmark. This forced union lasted until 1905 when both countries were separated . Nowadays the family of the Bernadotte and Desiree still are reigning of Sweden.....This is a lavish production detailing the historic existence and tangled love life of Napoleon Bonaparte . A vivid , sentimental portrayal about the famed conqueror and his relationship to Desiree . It depicts life story of Napoleon through the eyes of Desiree from his days as General in the French Army to his exile on the island of Elba and Saint Elaine . Brando never wished to perform the General but owed 20th Century Fox a film and so reluctantly to play it . This is a romanticized historical epic with excessive soap opera , dealing with Napoleon and his lover , however some might find it too slow for their tastes . Spectacular achievement with its use of color , glamorous scenarios, montage and charismatic titular acting by Marlon Brando. But falls short of the classic 1927 silent movie by Abel Gance or 1955 adaptation also titled Napoleon by Sacha Guitry with Raymond Pellegrin and Orson Welles or recent TV rendition by Yves Simoneau with Christian Clavier and Gerard Depardieu .

i saw this film when i was a young boy at the age of 15 it captured a wide area in my mind that i dreamt to see it again and after about 3 years i got the film from a friend and watched it for several times,and since then it was always on my mind for the last ten years...actually the most attractive thing in this movie is the character of Desirée which was a beautiful innocent female that we miss in our days...also the character of bernadotte was very positive and attractive simulating the men of old ages...and finally marlon brando gave the charactor of n.bonaparte its spirit..............

I watched this movie for the first time as a girl of 12 yrs. I loved it then and I love it now. I love the spunk of the character, Desiree Clary, so innocent, youthful, and fearless. The costumes were gorgeous. The story line has been described as sappy by some, but it provided a human, romantic overview of the era and of Napoleon, I enjoyed the movie and the actors and that's all that matters. Marlon Brando and Michael Rennie just added to the enjoyment. I vowed at the time that I first saw the movie, should I have a daughter I'd name her Desiree and I was blessed with a beautiful dark haired baby girl and her name is "Desiree". She just turned 22.

Filmed when CinemaScope's original ratio was still in use by Twentieth's cinematographers and with production values ladled on with an apparently generous budget (though no authentic European locations), "Desiree" is somewhat of a disappointment in many respects. Surprisingly Merle Oberon, as Josephine, remains in my memory as giving a touching (and, of course, glamorous) performance, but virtually everyone else (including Jean Simmons, one of my special favorites) fails to impress. Perhaps the emphasis on recounting the exploits of Napoleon Bonaparte from the perspective of one of his early, and unrequited, romantic conquests is the reason the whole enterprise seems like an undistinguished piece of overstuffed furniture...comfortable but hardly worthy of praise as an artisan's finest achievement. As an entertainment, typical of the Fifties, it was worth the price of admission when first released but I rather doubt that I'll join a chorus requesting Fox Home Entertainment to give this a DVD release in a widescreen format.

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.

Desiree is, first and foremost, historical romance, not history and, as such, deserves to be cut some slack. Directed by the ever reliable Henry Koster, who one year earlier had helmed the movies' first Cinemascope production, "The Robe", it boasts a widescreen panoply of exquisite costumes, sumptuous sets, and gorgeous scenery guaranteed to give its customers an eyeful.

The screenplay, written by Oscar winner Daniel Taradash (From Here to Eternity), which follows the title character's infatuation with a young Napoleon Bonaparte from the tail end of the French Revolution to her complete rejection of him after his Moscow defeat, is presented as a series of sporadic vignettes, which move slowly, sometimes tediously, toward its final conclusion. And yet, if you are able to accept the lack of action scenes and concentrate on the characters, the film can be highly enjoyable.

Despite what the star billing implies, Marlon Brando's Napoleon is not the main player here (the story is seen almost exclusively from Desiree's point of view) but he is far and away the most interesting. Eschewing the great French military leader's putative habit of tucking his hand in his vest, he is nevertheless able to capture the essence of the man with true conviction. With low-key, well-articulated diction, he presents his Napoleon as a driven individual with a penetrating brain, tremendous powers of concentration, unflagging energy, and the ability to impose his will whenever it suits his needs. Less specifically, he suggests a man with high standards, noble ideals, a love of France, and a sense of honour. Assuredly a remarkable performance, as far from Stanley Kowalski ("A Streetcar Named Desire") as you can get.

Desiree, as played by Jean Simmons, has more screen time than Napoleon, and that may be the picture's weakness. Her story, that of a young woman, first introduced as a maid working in the family textile shop, who becomes captivated by a young Napoleon (he initially wants to marry her for her dowry to finance his own military ambitions), is discarded by him, and, on the rebound, marries one of his generals to become queen of Sweden, is not particularly remarkable. Only when her path crosses Bonaparte's does the picture come to life. Yet Simmons, as always, fills her role beautifully with simplicity and charm. She was one of those young actresses of the '50s who could always be relied upon to bring her best to every part she played. Her long list of impressive credits (which includes Hamlet, The Robe, Guys and Dolls, Elmer Gantry and Spartacus) is enough to put today's one-hit-wonder Oscar winners to shame.

The cast is rounded out by Michael Rennie as General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte and Merle Oberon as the Empress Josephine. Both add dignity in their small, but decidedly secondary, roles.

Despite the slow pacing, patient viewers will be rewarded with a terrific payoff in the film's final eight minutes. It is the touching, bittersweet scene during which Desiree and Napoleon meet for the last time and, while not historically accurate, it makes for great and moving drama. Napoleon has just recently escaped from Elba and is attempting to mobilize troops for one final effort to regain power in France. By now he is a humbled man, the confidence and swagger he so readily exhibited during his initial rise to prominence eroded. Yet, in retrospect, he is able to justify all his actions (In real life, he was a great administrator as well as a great military leader.), rightly or wrongly, and laments the betrayal of those he considered his closest friends. Though beaten, he still expects strict adherence to military protocol, as when he surrenders his sword ("Please don't hold it like an umbrella."). Desiree, though no longer enraptured by his charms, cannot help but feel a rekindling of admiration for him and a pang of regret.

Marlon Brando reportedly once said that he took on the role of Napoleon for laughs. I very much doubt it. He is just too good. I think he was trying to get back at critics who refused to picture him as anyone other than Stanley Kowalski.

A film mostly saved by Brando's acting. Brando overshadows the whiny and irritating Jean Simmons and an overtly stiff Michael Rennie. The film is filled with tall actors but the smaller Brando lights up the screen.

The cinematography and editing are so unimaginative. The film has some of the most ridiculous camera angles I have ever seen. The camera is static most of the time and you feel like you are watching a play. It is left to the actors to create some kind of tension but in many places you cannot even see their expressions properly because the camera does not move. And there is hardly any editing in some of the scenes.

The strange thing about this movie is that it really is what its title promises -- the story of Desiree, and nothing more. Made in the dark years before the feminist movement, (indeed, in the worst days of the feminine mystique) the film makers seem to assume that the "ideal" woman is warm, impulsive, kittenish, flirtatious and yet non-sexual. Desiree is forever stuck at the end of childhood. She lives through great events but her "womanly" nature makes her ignore everything but her own physical comfort. She is Scarlett O'Hara without the suffering, cruelty or ambition, and Natasha Rostov without the fellow-feeling, patriotism and mystical sympathy for others. It's odd how you feel enchanted by her, and yet you feel disgusted with yourself for wanting a girl who remains infantile in so many ways. Truly a guilty pleasure.

Some of the things Desiree says in this movie are beyond belief. For example, after she becomes Princess of Sweden, her husband suggests that she needs some tutors, and she cries, "I haven't learned anything since I was ten!" And like, who is supposed to stand up and cheer? You could be the worst sexist pig in the world and this movie would make you feel like Anna Quindlen.

Or take the scene where the Swedes arrive in the middle of the night and tell Marshall Bernadotte (a superb Michael Rennie) that he is now in line to be King of Sweden. Bernadotte tells Desiree, his wife, to hurry up and get dressed. "Put on anything, you understand?" And she wails, "no, no, I don't understand anything!" Some other comments have said Jean Simmons is "whining" in this movie. But it's much worse than that. She's really pure feminist Kryptonite! The whole point is that men find her irresistible because she always, always, plays dumb and does nothing but bleat about being hungry, tired, or confused.

Problem is, Jean Simmons is just so natural and so attractive that it sort of goes down easy. You really do find yourself wanting to hug her every other scene, if you're a man anyway. If you're Anna Quindlen you probably just want to slap her. She's the feminist anti-Christ.

At least she's not a blonde!

Hilariously ludicrous and camp retelling of the Napoleon story, with the emphasis on his unrequited love for his first fiancée, Desiree. The way in which huge historical, world-impacting events are used as a backdrop to the sappiest of Barbara Cartland love stories is a real rib-tickler. Brando as Napoleon ads a dab of danger and a wink of an acknowledgement that this is an absurd farrago from beginning to end.

Koster directs with a real feel for Cinemascope compositions, and tells the story through reoccuring images of isolated candle flames burning, fires kindling, lights still shining as emblems for the love the characters continue to feel. They don't make 'em as ripe and silly as this anymore!

Weak adaptation of Annemarie Selinko's book about the crowded love life of Napoleon Bonaparte is one-part battle-fatigued romance and the other a fictionalized history lesson. Since screenwriter Daniel Taradash hasn't made a decision on which path he wants to take, the film ends up being not much of anything, though it is certainly well-dressed and handsomely produced. Jean Simmons is attractive playing an unmarried miss working in her family's silk shop in 1794 Marseilles; while dining one night with guest Napoleon and his brother--before Napoleon has taken the throne as Emperor to France--he has rashly proposed marriage and she has accepted. Unfortunately, he has already consented to marry another, the Empress Josephine, leading Simmons into a loveless marriage with Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. Much work was slavered on the thin material to give it a grand opulence, and it does look terrific, but there's not much else here beyond the pretty visuals to engage the heart. Marlon Brando's Bonaparte never quite takes shape; he's a rude, blurry, not-quite-present bully with no manners--where's the charismatic Napoleon who had the presence to captivate Europe in the years following the Revolution? Director Henry Koster shows a prickly sense of humor when he gets the chance, but he can't do anything positive with Taradash's narrative, which skitters along from episode to episode without filling in the blanks. ** from ****

This film is about Désirée Clary, a common French woman who was the one-time fiancée of Napolean and who later became queen of Norway and Sweden. She had a very remarkable life and it SHOULD have been an exciting film, though I found the movie to be very mannered and subdued...too subdued. As a result, it is not an especially exciting film...and it should have been. It follows her from her first meeting Napoleon and moves up through he ascending the thrones.

Désirée Clary is played by Jean Simmons, Napoleon by Marlon Brando and her husband by Michael Rennie. The film is also sumptuous to look at--with lovely sets and in full Cinemascope color. What it does not talk about at all are the marital infidelities by Napoleon, Josephine as well as Désirée's husband--all which could have made the movie much more interesting. So it's pretty but sanitized...and a bit dull because of this. It also just never sparked my interest at all and much of it is because the film is too episodic. Her life might better be told as a mini-series instead.

Almost Forgotten early Brando Film that may have Film Historians, and sure to be Disappointed World Historians, taking a look at this Costume Drama. If anything above Low Expectations are accompanied there may be as many Sad Faces as are On Screen in this Dated Artifact of CinemaScopes initial Failings.

There is Barely a Close-Up to be found as the WideScreen Format was a bothersome Intrusion and its grasp had yet to be discovered. It is all Sets and Costumes, Uninteresting Dialog, and its World Changing Events are Pushed somewhere so far Offscreen it is Impossible to Image any of it.

Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons Fans will likely be more Tolerant than most, but Truth is, there is just isn't anything of interest here other than the Era's most Talented and Troubling Actor going through the Motions of Playing one of the Worlds most Infamous Dictators with not much more than a Tilted Head and a Whisper.

It is a Romance Picture Dressed Up with name recognition both in Characters and Performers. Overall, it's akin to making a Movie Today called Eva in 3-D, Played by Scarlett Johansson with Johnny Depp as Hitler.

Jean Simmons and Marlon Brando star in Desiree, the story of a young woman briefly involved with Napoleon. This is a sumptuous production to look at, but it's too long and extremely boring. Unlike some of the other posters, I was unimpressed with Marlon Brando's whispering Napoleon. I am a huge fan of Brando's and found his static portrayal a disappointment. He did, however, look like Napoleon, with the lock of hair over his forehead.

I am also a huge fan of Jean Simmons but unfortunately, both of these actors were let down by the script and the incredibly plodding direction. Her character never really developed past girlhood. There was no chemistry between the two, and the story just meandered along. Michael Rennie as Bernadotte had little to do. The only standout was the beautiful Merle Oberon as the ousted Josephine. Also, historically, the film is inaccurate.

Overall, pretty to look at, and a drag to watch.

This movie might have been simply mediocre if not for Brando's embarrassing performance.

Ironic that Henry Koster, this film's director, directed Simmons in the Robe with Richard Burton, probably Brando's only true rival as cinematic matinée firebrand in the early 1950s. Brando puts on a ridiculous pseudo-Burtonesque accent for his portrayal as Bonaparte. Napoleon as a high-toned Englishman? Well, maybe that seemed appropriate to the bad boy from Omaha. He went on to employ a similar vocal pretense in Bounty.

Grateful we still have Streetcar, Wild One & Waterfront for good Brando memories.

At the same time he was making "On the Waterfront" Marlon Brando was appearing in this disaster of an historical epic, (so we know the bad movies didn't just come later). He's Napoleon, fat and camp, and he strides about the way Jay Robinson did in "The Robe". Jean Simmons is Desiree and he's mad about her but she seems to be getting in the way of his being a conqueror.

Simmons looks lovely in full colour and her acting is muted and understated, (it always was), but she also looks uncomfortable as if she knows this movie isn't going to do much for her international career. As Josephine, Merle Oberon seems a size too big for her costumes and acts as if she seriously believes in what she's doing. She's terrible but she's probably the best thing about the movie. Still, it's entertaining in the way bad movies sometimes are.

Marlon Brando and the rest of the cast do their very best with the rather average material with which they were lumbered. In addition, there is nothing much interesting about this film. I was expecting something more dynamic and thrilling and scenes that show Napoleon in battle. Alas, none of this was included in the screenplay. The plot just drags along. Brando and Jean Simmons work well together but their scenes together become few and far between.

I've seen this film a number times over the years. Now, it's available at YouTube. Previously, I assumed Desiree was a purely fictitious character. Boy, was I wrong! There's a lengthy article on her on the web. Jean-Baptiste Bernadette also was a real person, who did marry Desiree. In the middle of the Napoleonic wars, he did switch from being a marshal under Napoleon to the heir apparent for the Swedish crown! Most of the things Desiree is pictured doing are reasonably historically accurate, aside from accepting Napoleon's sword as a symbol of his surrender to the allies. Actually, the real Desiree initially was engaged to Napoleon's brother, Joseph, who then switched to marrying her sister, opening the door for Napoleon to become engaged to Desiree. He rather soon broke this engagement when he found Josephine, who provided him with several advantages, but could not produce an heir, despite having 2 children from her guillotined husband. Interestingly, Josephine's granddaughter later married Desiree's son, who was king of Sweden!..... One problem with this screenplay is that Desiree is not really a very interesting person, aside from her beauty and connection with Napoleon and Jean Bernadotte. A number of reviewers complained that Jean Simmons, as Desiree, was too often whiny, or infantile. Well, it happens that this was the way the real Desiree was. So, I don't think we can fault Jean......Several reviewers criticize Marlon Brando's portrayal of Napoleon. Marlon rather looked like Napoleon. We was 5'9" compared to Napoleon's 5'7". But Napoleon actually was a bit taller than the average Frenchman at that time, at 5'5". But , some of his guards were considerably taller, making him look short. Whether Napoleon was deliberate, as Brando portrayed him, or quick and flashy, I don't know......Merle Oberon makes a beautiful Josephine, who doesn't have a lot of screen time.. Michael Rennie makes a tall Jean Bernadette, who was considerably older than Desiree. There seemed to be little passion between them.....The screenplay is mostly an indoor affair, with no direct contact with soldiers in battle. In one scene, Napoleon is ready to begin the Russian campaign. In the next scene, he's back home, defeated. The film lacks any real action or passion. But, I do commend it on it's relatively strong historical accuracy , being based on the novel "Desiree".