Désirée (1954): Cast & Plot
Désirée is a 1954 romantic drama directed by Henry Koster, starring Jean Simmons as Desiree Clary, Marlon Brando and Cathleen Nesbitt. It is partly based on Désirée by Annemarie Selinko and Arnold Bender. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 50m (110 min)
- Director
- Henry Koster
- Original language
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English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Désirée About?
The premise of Désirée without spoilers, adapted from Désirée by Annemarie Selinko and Arnold Bender. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1794 Marseille, millinery clerk Désirée Clary becomes infatuated with Napoleon Bonaparte, but marries his aide, General Jean‑Baptiste Berandotte, who later joins the forces that topple the emperor. Meanwhile, worldly courtesan Josephine Beauharnais marries Napoleon, becomes Empress of France, and is cast aside when she cannot produce an heir.
Désirée Themes & Keywords
· 48 tags- emperor
- napoleonic wars
- french revolution
- based on book
- character name as title
- period drama
- marseille france
- france
- dance
- marriage engagement
- josephine bonaparte character
- napoleon bonaparte character
+36 more Show fewer
- brando and simmons
- 19th century france
- 19th century
- 18th century france
- 1800s
- 1790s
- 1810s
- french historical setting
- rise and fall
- empire fashion
- dowry
- palace
- sweden
- merchant
- paris france
- marriage
- family relationships
- childlessness
- divorce
- diary
- coronation
- citizenship
- bridge
- ambition
- officer
- atmosphere
- passion
- unrequited love
- power
- arranged marriage
- love
- epic
- 18th century
- historical event
- one word title
- scene based on painting
Désirée Cast & Characters
Jean Simmons leads the cast as Desiree Clary, with Marlon Brando as Napoleon Bonaparte and Cathleen Nesbitt as Mme. Bonaparte. Directed by Henry Koster; 19 actors are credited in all.
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Director Henry Koster
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Jean Simmons as Desiree Clary -
Marlon Brando as Napoleon Bonaparte -
Cathleen Nesbitt as Mme. Bonaparte - Richard Deacon as Etienne Clary
Also Starring in Désirée
· 15 more- Isobel Elsom Mme. Clary
- Charlotte Austin Paulette Bonaparte
- Merle Oberon Empress Josephine
- Cameron Mitchell Joseph Bonaparte
- Elizabeth Sellars Julie
- Alan Napier Despreaux
- Michael Rennie Bernadotte
- Nicolas Koster Oscar
- Evelyn Varden Marie
- Bess Flowers Attendant Holding Baby at Palace Ball
- Edith Evanson Queen Hedwig
- Gene Roth Von Essen
- John Hoyt Talleyrand
- Carolyn Jones Mme. Tallien
- Dorothy Neumann Queen Sofia
More from Henry Koster
More films directed by Henry Koster, best-rated first: The Bishop's Wife, The Singing Nun, Dear Brigitte and Take Her, She’s Mine.
Désirée Plot Summary
What happens in Désirée from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Marseille in 1794, Désirée Clary, [Jean Simmons], quietly crosses paths with a Corsican named Joseph Bonaparte and soon invites him and his daring brother, Captain Napoleon Bonaparte, [Marlon Brando], to call on her family the very next day. The encounter sets off a chain of instant attractions: Julie, Désirée’s sister, and Joseph Bonaparte [Alan Napier] are drawn to one another, while Napoleon himself is taken with Désirée. In a bold confession, he admits that the financially strapped Bonaparte brothers would benefit from the Clary sisters’ dowries. Before long, a troubling turn arrives when Désirée learns Napoleon has been arrested and hauled off to Paris.
Full summary
The whole story of Désirée, scene by scene
Désirée Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Désirée.
How Well Do You Know Désirée?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actress portrays Désirée Clary in the film?
Désirée Also Known As
Also known as “Desiree”.
- Also known as
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- Desiree
Seen Désirée?
Movies Like Désirée
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Mlle. Desiree, Imperial Venus and Conquest.
Désirée FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Désirée, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Désirée?
Désirée runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).
When was Désirée released?
Désirée was released on November 16, 1954.
Who directed Désirée?
Désirée was directed by Henry Koster.
More films by Henry Koster Who is in the cast of Désirée?
Désirée stars Jean Simmons as Desiree Clary, Marlon Brando as Napoleon Bonaparte and Cathleen Nesbitt as Mme. Bonaparte, among 19 credited actors.
Is Désirée based on a book?
Yes. Désirée is partly adapted from Désirée by Annemarie Selinko, Arnold Bender and E. W. Dickes.
Does Désirée have a post-credit scene?
No. Désirée has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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