In Marseilles, France in 1794, Desiree Clary, a young millinery clerk, becomes infatuated with Napoleon Bonaparte, but winds up wedding Genaral Jean-Baptiste Berandotte, an aid to Napoleon who later joins the forces that bring about the Emperor's downfall. Josephine Beauharnais, a worldly courtesan marries Napoleon and becomes Empress of France, but is then cast aside by her spouse when she proves unable to produce an heir to the throne.
Marlon Brando
as Napoleon Bonaparte
Jean Simmons
as Desiree Clary
Merle Oberon
as Empress Josephine
Michael Rennie
as Bernadotte
Cameron Mitchell
as Joseph Bonaparte
Elizabeth Sellars
as Julie
Charlotte Austin
as Paulette Bonaparte
Cathleen Nesbitt
as Mme. Bonaparte
Evelyn Varden
as Marie
Isobel Elsom
as Mme. Clary
John Hoyt
as Talleyrand
Alan Napier
as Despreaux
