The film is partially based on historic deeds but predominates the sentimental drama . It develops parallels lives between Napoleon and Desiree. The story starts in Marseilles 1794 , when Robespierre fall , Napoleon is detained but after is freed . Soon Napoleon is rising through the military ranks in the Grand Armee , winning the loyalty of the people . After the conquest of Tolon , Napoleon forms a Directory and in 18 Brumario executes a coup détat in Saint Cloud , being named first Consul (1799) by means of bayonets . He undergoes the Italian campaign and vanquishes Austrians in Marengo, later the Egypt campaign though is defeated in San Vicente , Trafalgar and Abukir (Egypt). In 1796 , he married Josefina Beauharmais, but she can't give him a child , he has to make some dynastic decision and begins to lose control. As proclaiming himself Emperor (1804) at Notre Dame in the presence of Pope Pio XII. As he marries Maria Luisa , daughter of Austrian Emperor . As he named his brothers and sisters as kings , princes and princesses , as Jose (Cameron Mitchell) who married Julia(Elizabeth Sellars), Desiree's sister, they were proclaimed kings of Spain. As the disaster of campaign of Rusia 1812 (Borodino) , then is formed a coalition between Prussians, Austrians and Russians that defeated him in Leipzig and is banished island of Elba . But he returned , 1815, with the¨ One hundred Days Empire¨ being ultimately vanquished in Waterloo . While Desiree ( Jean Simmons) married French General Jean Baptiste Bernadotte ( Michael Rennie)who was appointed French Ambassador to Stockholm . In 1811, shortly before his death, the King of Sweden without descendants named Bernadotte his heir and the people recognized as successor winning the loyalty of the Swedish, it resulted to be a great decision . One time became King of Sweden he united with other countries for the end of Napoleons wars , collaborating in the battle of Leipzig (1813) and Waterloo (1815). In 1815, the Congress of Vienna acclaimed Bernadotte's title as King, and even granted him lands including Norway taken from Napoleon's faithful ally , Denmark. This forced union lasted until 1905 when both countries were separated . Nowadays the family of the Bernadotte and Desiree still are reigning of Sweden.....This is a lavish production detailing the historic existence and tangled love life of Napoleon Bonaparte . A vivid , sentimental portrayal about the famed conqueror and his relationship to Desiree . It depicts life story of Napoleon through the eyes of Desiree from his days as General in the French Army to his exile on the island of Elba and Saint Elaine . Brando never wished to perform the General but owed 20th Century Fox a film and so reluctantly to play it . This is a romanticized historical epic with excessive soap opera , dealing with Napoleon and his lover , however some might find it too slow for their tastes . Spectacular achievement with its use of color , glamorous scenarios, montage and charismatic titular acting by Marlon Brando. But falls short of the classic 1927 silent movie by Abel Gance or 1955 adaptation also titled Napoleon by Sacha Guitry with Raymond Pellegrin and Orson Welles or recent TV rendition by Yves Simoneau with Christian Clavier and Gerard Depardieu .

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.

At the same time he was making "On the Waterfront" Marlon Brando was appearing in this disaster of an historical epic, (so we know the bad movies didn't just come later). He's Napoleon, fat and camp, and he strides about the way Jay Robinson did in "The Robe". Jean Simmons is Desiree and he's mad about her but she seems to be getting in the way of his being a conqueror.Simmons looks lovely in full colour and her acting is muted and understated, (it always was), but she also looks uncomfortable as if she knows this movie isn't going to do much for her international career. As Josephine, Merle Oberon seems a size too big for her costumes and acts as if she seriously believes in what she's doing. She's terrible but she's probably the best thing about the movie. Still, it's entertaining in the way bad movies sometimes are.

This movie is a feast for the eyes, and while slow paced and understated will be a very pleasant movie for some people.This movie has good and simple characters moving through complicated situations that are easily understandable to most of us. The ex-girlfriend who's still a supportive friend, married to best and able friend who's conscience puts him in opposition to his lady's old love etc. etc. Its a good romance/relationship film set in a gorgeous background using the vehicle of three real and outstanding characters to move through napoleonic history. I don't recall any gross historical errors so it may even be mildly educational too... Its a VERY good movie, but it isn't exciting or thrilling or passionate or sexy or violent, but if you like your films to be visual feasts and can deal with the fact that sometimes emotions can be less than torrid and overwrought. and that humans have more subtle motives than sex and power.. You might like this