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Desiree | 
 enlarge | Director: Henry Koster
Actors: Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Merle Oberon, Michael Rennie, Cameron Mitchell
Studio: Fox Video
Category: Video
Buy New: CDN$ 24.98
New (2) Used (3) from CDN$ 24.98
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 304
Format: Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Media: VHS Tape
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5.1 x 3.9
ISBN: 6301798961
UPC: 086162152733
EAN: 9786301798969
Theatrical Release Date: November 17, 1954
Release Date: April 26, 1990
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: ?????????????????????? THIS TITLE IS ON DVD NOT VHS/ HK IMPORTS IN ORIGINAL ENGLISH AUDIO/ WIDESCREEN/ALL REGION/ NTSC/ TAX INCLUDED/ SHIPS FROM CANADA WITHIN 2 DAYS
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 What a terrible film! October 31, 2003
Cowboy Buddha (Essex UK)
Hard to believe that anyone could take this overly romantic nonsense seriously. It has little to do with history, even less with cinema. Most of the budget seems to have gone on the stars - the scenery looks cardboard, the costumes are probably left over from previous films, there is no sense of the era, much of the acting is way beyond being merely wooden. Lots of stiff, unconvincing dialogue - little spectacle (flags moving across the screen represent a battle). Of course, the film is based on a best-selling novel of the 50's and, by rights, should have focused on Desiree as played (uncertainly) by Jean Simmons. But the casting of Marlon Brando as Napoleon throws everything off balance. I have read a fair amount about Napoleonic history but none of those accounts revealed that the Emperor mumbled like a method actor. Indeed, Brando seems particularly uncomfortable with both his role and his costumes. Similarly, the ever-stiff Michael Rennie is...well, stiff. On the other hand, Merle Oberon was an inspired choice to play Josephine - if only they had remembered to write a part for her to play. The whole thing looks cheap and not especially cheerful. Napoleon deserves better. So does anyone who tries to watch this film.
 Very entertaining historical romance April 9, 2003
Tatara (WA United States)
I don't know a whole lot about Napoleon and his history, but I found this film thoroughly enjoyable. I was sitting around this afternoon and caught it on tv. Marlon Brando's performance as Napoleon really captivated me and I couldn't bring myself to change the channel so I ended up watching it all. It was very interesting. He was always in love with one-time fiancee Desiree but she is married and shows no intentions of betraying her husband. The scene in which Desiree's husband confronts Napoleon because he wants to renounce his citizenship and claim the Swedish throne is very striking. Excellent acting by everyone. There were a few things they never went back into, like we never see much else of her son. And they never say whether she cleaned up her Royal Princess act or told them to stuff it. Overall, I found this movie to be very entertaining. It's one of those rainy day historical romance classics.
Overall Faithful Production November 8, 2002
Lesley M. Schultz (Oakland, CA United States)
Although there are some historical inaccuracies [Napoleon did not surrender his sword to Desiree, and some other small "enhancements"], and Jean Simmons is something of a drawback to the film, it's definitely worth watching. Marlon Brando's performance manages to capture the historical idea of Napoleon very well- the great intensity of his personality, the underlying brilliance and insatiable ambition. Napoleon is both repellent and fascinating at the same time. One can understand how, at his best, he hypnotized almost the whole of Europe. But he is perfidious also, dismissive of the death and destruction he caused on his way to accomplish his aims. Really, the character of Napoleon and Marlon Brando's rendition of it is the only reason to watch this film. Jean Simmons' Desiree is lovely and winsome, but kind of vapid. One wonders what Napoleon and Bernadotte saw in her. Michael Rennie's performance is very good in his role as Bernadotte, and he is not overshadowed at all by the strength of Brando's performance. His scenes with Napoleon are wonderful. Until something better comes along [unlikely...] this is the one to watch for a period piece about Napoleon.
Overall worth watching March 1, 2002
Having read some of the other reviews of this movie I felt compelled to submit my own. I have long been fascinated by Napoleon and I have read and watched just about everything on his life that I can get my hands on. I found Brando's portrayal of Napoleon subtle and powerful. After having seen at least a half dozen different actors play Napoleon in various movies, Brando's has always stood head and shoulders above the rest to me. The story is not entirely accurate, but all the main elements of the story are pretty close (except Napoleon surrendering his sword to Desiree). The costumes and sets are outstanding in a way that seems to be captured only in old movies. This is not an in-depth analysis of Napoleon's life, rather, it focuses on Desiree, a one-time fiance of Napoleon. While that story is interesting, I find myself waiting for the next Brando scene. Brando does a magnificent job capturing the eneregy and confidence of the young Napoleon, and the fatigue and desperation of the defeated Napoleon. Brando's scene when he considers Bernadotte's request to renounce his French citizenship is brilliant. The movie is almost worth this scene alone.
 Much Talk, Little Action October 14, 2001
James L. (Toronto, Canada)
In an odd bit of casting, Marlon Brando stars as Napoleon Bonaparte, the French general that became such a key figure in European history. The film traces his rise and fall through his relationship with the title character, a French seamstress played by Jean Simmons. Considering the man of action that Napolean was, there's not much in the way of action here. But people do talk a lot. Yet the script gives them very little of interest to say. I can't say that I learned much more about Napolean or was able to understand much about his character. Brando is an odd choice for the role, and his performance is not very successful. Simmons fares better, while Merle Oberon as Josephine is completely wasted in her role, disappearing without having an opportunity to do much of anything, save one good scene following her split with Napolean. The film looks good, but it doesn't come together well, and I was left feeling unsatisfied.
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