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.
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.