Desiree (1954)
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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, All Movie Guide
Complete Cast:
- Marlon Brando - Napoleon Bonaparte
- Merle Oberon - Empress Josephine
- Cameron Mitchell - Joseph Bonaparte
- Charlotte Austin - Paulette
- Evelyn Varden - Marie
- Alan Napier - Despereaux
- Richard Deacon - Etienne
- Carolyn Jones - Mme. Tallien
- Larry Craine - Louis Bonaparte
- Louis Borell - Baron Morner
- Dorothy Neumann - Queen Sofia
- Lester Matthews - Caulaincourt
- Colin Kenny - Gen. Becker
- Richard Garrick - Count Reynaud
- Marina Koshetz - Singer
- Harry Carter - Coachman
- Cameron A. Grant - Montel
- Sven Hugo Borg - Aide
- John Hoyt - Talleyrand
- Jack Mather - Sergeant
- Jean Simmons - Desiree Clary
- Michael Rennie - Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte
- Elizabeth Sellars - Julie, Desiree's Sister
- Cathleen Nesbitt - Mme. Bonaparte
- Isobel Elsom - Madame Clary
- Nicholas Koster - Oscar, Desiree's Son
- Edith Evanson - Queen Hedwig
- Sam Gilman - Fouche
- Judy Lester - Caroline Bonaparte
- Peter Bourne - Count Brahe
- David Leonard - Barras
- Gene Roth - Von Essen
- Leonard George - Pope Pius VII
- Violet Rensing - Marie Louise
- Richard Van Cleemput - Lucien Bonaparte
- Kay Kuter - Lacky
- George Brand - Servant
- Bert Stevens - Man at Chaumiers
- Jack George - Piano Teacher
- Director(s):
- Henry Koster
- Writer(s):
- Daniel Taradash
- Producer(s):
- Julian Blaustein
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