Désirée is a 1954 historical romance film directed by Henry Koster and starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, and Merle Oberon. The film is based on the novel Désirée by Annemarie Selinko, which is a fictional account of the life of Désirée Clary, who was briefly engaged to Napoleon Bonaparte before marrying General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, who later became King of Sweden.
The film begins in Marseilles, France in 1794, where Désirée Clary (Jean Simmons) is living with her family and working as a millinery clerk. Désirée is smitten with Napoleon Bonaparte (Marlon Brando), who is also living in Marseilles at the time. However, Napoleon is more interested in Désirée's sister, Julie (Merle Oberon), and soon begins to court her.
Despite her disappointment, Désirée eventually falls in love with General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte (Michael Rennie), an aide to Napoleon who shares her love of Sweden and dreams of one day living there. The two marry and move to Paris, where Bernadotte becomes more and more disillusioned with Napoleon's leadership and eventually joins the forces that bring about his downfall.
Meanwhile, Napoleon has married Josephine Beauharnais (Cameron Mitchell), a beautiful and worldly courtesan who becomes Empress of France. However, Napoleon becomes increasingly concerned about his lack of an heir to the throne, and eventually decides to divorce Josephine and marry someone who can provide him with a son.
Désirée and Bernadotte are invited to Napoleon's coronation in 1804, where Désirée catches Napoleon's eye once again. Despite her love for her husband and loyalty to Sweden, Désirée is tempted by the allure of becoming Napoleon's queen and the power that comes with it.
In the end, Désirée and Bernadotte return to Sweden, where he is eventually crowned King Charles XIV John. Désirée realizes that true happiness cannot be found in power and prestige alone, but in the love and loyalty of her husband and family.
