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Désirée

Name: Désirée
Genre: Drama, Romance, History
Released: 1954-11-16
Cast: Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Merle Oberon, Michael Rennie, Cameron Mitchell

1954 | 110 min | Drama, Romance, History

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With mixed reviews and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for romantics and history buffs. If you loved The Young Victoria or Downton Abbey, start here.
The mood: Warm and romantic.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 50 min.
What might put you off: Made in 1954: an older pace and style.

In Marseilles, France in 1794, Desiree Clary, a young millinery clerk, becomes infatuated with Napoleon Bonaparte, but winds up wedding General Jean-Baptiste Berandotte, an aid to Napoleon who later joins the forces that bring about the Emperor's downfall. Josephine Beauharnais, a worldly courtesan marries Napoleon and becomes Empress of France, but is then cast aside by her spouse when she proves unable to produce an heir to the throne.

How it earned its rating

CriticsBelow par
Mixed reviews
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$9 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 42K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Henry Koster

Marlon BrandoNapoleon Bonaparte
Jean SimmonsDesiree Clary
Merle OberonEmpress Josephine
Michael RennieBernadotte
Cameron MitchellJoseph Bonaparte
Elizabeth SellarsJulie
Charlotte AustinPaulette Bonaparte
Cathleen NesbittMme. Bonaparte
Evelyn VardenMarie
Isobel ElsomMme. Clary