"Conquest," a 1937 film directed by Clarence Brown, stars Charles Boyer and Greta Garbo as Napoleon and his lover, Marie Walewska.
The film is based on the true story of Polish patriot Marie Walewska, a married woman who becomes the mistress of Napoleon with the belief that it will help her country gain its independence. The two have a great love affair, but politics intervene. The power of love becomes the victim of the love of power.
"Conquest" is a little uneven and unsure of its plot. It begins very dramatically, with the Cossacks, horses and all, crashing into Count Walewska's (Henry Stephenson) palace. From there, we get the love affair and then Napoleon's battles, exile to Elba, and his return.
The film isn't really a Garbo film; it's a rare film where she is secondary. Napoleon (Boyer) is really the main character. The love affair becomes secondary to Napoleon's battles, both political and on the field.
Garbo is good, but I guess it's a little jarring not to have the film all about her. Boyer is fantastic - tough, passionate, conflicted, and ambitious, a man seen as a savior to some and a bully to others. Truly one of his greatest roles.
Worth seeing for the cast, which also includes diminutive Maria Ouspenskaya, sets, and costumes.
The film is based on the true story of Polish patriot Marie Walewska, a married woman who becomes the mistress of Napoleon with the belief that it will help her country gain its independence. The two have a great love affair, but politics intervene. The power of love becomes the victim of the love of power.
"Conquest" is a little uneven and unsure of its plot. It begins very dramatically, with the Cossacks, horses and all, crashing into Count Walewska's (Henry Stephenson) palace. From there, we get the love affair and then Napoleon's battles, exile to Elba, and his return.
The film isn't really a Garbo film; it's a rare film where she is secondary. Napoleon (Boyer) is really the main character. The love affair becomes secondary to Napoleon's battles, both political and on the field.
Garbo is good, but I guess it's a little jarring not to have the film all about her. Boyer is fantastic - tough, passionate, conflicted, and ambitious, a man seen as a savior to some and a bully to others. Truly one of his greatest roles.
Worth seeing for the cast, which also includes diminutive Maria Ouspenskaya, sets, and costumes.