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Desiree

Play trailer Poster for Desiree Released Nov 17, 1954 1h 50m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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20% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Desiree Clary (Jean Simmons) has met the love of her life, and his name is Napoleon Bonaparte (Marlon Brando). But their love is a difficult one, as Napoleon's rise through the military ranks takes him away from her, and they both eventually marry other people. Years later, as Napoleon seems destined to rule the known world, the two cross paths again and attempt to rekindle their romance. But when Napoleon's reign comes to a end, their relationship may not be able to survive.
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Desiree

Critics Reviews

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Herman G. Weinberg Film Culture It has not the satirical edge and ironic bite of Sacha Guitry's Desiree Clary, but it is pleasant and just rueful enough in its humors to make for agreeable seeing. Jun 7, 2022 Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine An extremely lavish but sluggish screen version of the popular novel. Michael Rennie's stylish work as Bernadotte is the best thing in the picture. Oct 21, 2019 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews A dull costume romantic/drama. Rated: C+ Feb 6, 2014 Full Review 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] Rated: 2.5/4 Apr 23, 2012 Full Review Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena A nica performance desinteressante da carreira do sempre magnfico Marlon Brando. Rated: 2/5 Jan 7, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D Well acted and not much else. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/24/24 Full Review Audience Member good epic historical drama of sorts well the hollywood version of the rise & fall of napoleon Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member The best Napoléon ever!.. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Highly fictionalized account of the loves of Napoleon. Curious casting, particularly Marlon Brando as the famed emperor. It is a bit slow moving and too talky, but the production is exquisite. Fine art direction, costume design and cinematography. Decent score. Both the art direction and costumes received Academy Award nominations. Carolyn Jones is memorable in a small role. Jean Simmons is always a pleasure to watch. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member 62/100. Highly fictionalized account of the loves of Napoleon. Curious casting, particularly Marlon Brando as the famed emperor. It is a bit slow moving and too talky, but the production is exquisite. Fine art direction, costume design and cinematography. Decent score. Both the art direction and costumes received Academy Award nominations. Carolyn Jones is memorable in a small role. Jean Simmons is always a pleasure to watch. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Way too overdramatic and unnatural--mostly Jean Simmons' first scenes. Besides Brando, the acting was pretty poor. The guy Desiree marries is just awful. Marlon was a very convincing Napoleon. Didn't like the lack of accents. Some good sets, costumes, and shots but this one is passable. Just watch it for your Brando checklist if you're working on one. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Desiree

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Cast & Crew

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Henry Koster

Director

Marlon Brando

Napoleon Bonaparte

Jean Simmons

Desiree Clary

Merle Oberon

Empress Josephine

Michael Rennie

Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte

Cameron Mitchell

Joseph Bonaparte

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Desiree

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Movie Info

Synopsis Desiree Clary (Jean Simmons) has met the love of her life, and his name is Napoleon Bonaparte (Marlon Brando). But their love is a difficult one, as Napoleon's rise through the military ranks takes him away from her, and they both eventually marry other people. Years later, as Napoleon seems destined to rule the known world, the two cross paths again and attempt to rekindle their romance. But when Napoleon's reign comes to a end, their relationship may not be able to survive.
Director
Henry Koster
Producer
Julian Blaustein
Screenwriter
Daniel Taradash
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 17, 1954, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2011
Runtime
1h 50m
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