Desiree

A lavish but disappointing period piece whose most significant element is the appearance of Marlon Brando in the role of Napoleon Bonaparte, this Jean Simmons vehicle presents historical soap opera on a grand scale. Desiree Clary (Simmons) is the daughter of a wealthy Marseilles silk merchant who meets the young Corsican general Napoleon and falls in love with him. He leaves for Paris, where he hopes to be placed in charge of the Italian campaign. Months later, Desiree follows. The increasingly powerful and famous Napoleon has announced his plans to marry the influential Josephine (Merle Oberon); a crushed Desiree eventually weds Gen. Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte (Mich...