Napoleon is a historical figure often portrayed in movies, and if you want to see Charles Boyer's interpretation, rent Conquest. The most popular French actor of the silver screen, it was a natural choice to cast him in the iconic role, and his wonderful performance earned him his first of three Rag nominations in the coming five years.
With a hairpiece, authentic looking costumes, and the famous posture, Napoleon seems to come to life with Charles Boyer's performance. He's a flesh and blood human being who falls in love, plays games, and gets hurt feelings. This movie doesn't focus on his romance with Josephine, but instead with the Polish countess Marie. Greta Garbo plays the beautiful temptress, who, for once, doesn't actively tempt. She's happily married to Henry Stephenson, and rebuffs Charles when he tries to have an affair with her. Naturally, he's not used to that treatment, and it makes him want her all the more. She continues to put him off, only relenting when she realizes she has the power to save her country from his invasions. Greta gives a very convincing performance of being conflicted, reluctant, resentful of having to do her duty, and also curious as to why she alone captivates such a powerful man.
Charles also shows his humanity with Dame May Whitty and Maria Ouspenskaya, who play the older and wiser relatives of each lead. He's a man first and a conqueror second, as he describes in a monologue about his life's disappointments. "They use my name to frighten children," he says. On the other hand, when he has the opportunity to settle down with a good woman and stop his political ambitions, he doesn't. This is a great movie to pop in if you want to be on Napoleon's side but still see both sides of the equation. Check it out if you like old movies; I was pleasantly surprised.
With a hairpiece, authentic looking costumes, and the famous posture, Napoleon seems to come to life with Charles Boyer's performance. He's a flesh and blood human being who falls in love, plays games, and gets hurt feelings. This movie doesn't focus on his romance with Josephine, but instead with the Polish countess Marie. Greta Garbo plays the beautiful temptress, who, for once, doesn't actively tempt. She's happily married to Henry Stephenson, and rebuffs Charles when he tries to have an affair with her. Naturally, he's not used to that treatment, and it makes him want her all the more. She continues to put him off, only relenting when she realizes she has the power to save her country from his invasions. Greta gives a very convincing performance of being conflicted, reluctant, resentful of having to do her duty, and also curious as to why she alone captivates such a powerful man.
Charles also shows his humanity with Dame May Whitty and Maria Ouspenskaya, who play the older and wiser relatives of each lead. He's a man first and a conqueror second, as he describes in a monologue about his life's disappointments. "They use my name to frighten children," he says. On the other hand, when he has the opportunity to settle down with a good woman and stop his political ambitions, he doesn't. This is a great movie to pop in if you want to be on Napoleon's side but still see both sides of the equation. Check it out if you like old movies; I was pleasantly surprised.