Conquest (1937)

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

The 'plot summary' for this film really sums up the storyline, but there are so many other nuances going on here. CONQUEST co-stars the amazing Garbo as the MUCH younger wife of a Count ( Henry Stephenson ) and Charles Boyer. What other french-man would they have play Napoleon? He meets the countess on his way up, and cajoles her into being the mistress, which of course gives grounds for the breakup of her marriage. The awesome Ouspenskaya is in here as the batty old aunt Pelagia. Some comedy, as the crazy old aunt plays cards with Napoleon but refuses to belive an emporer could displace the king, and she insults him over and over. Ouspenskaya didn't make that many films, but in so many roles, she played the serious, heavy handed old woman with a past. The story has the Countess reluctantly "spending time" with Napoleon, purely "for the good of the country", but who knows how much of that is accurate. She did leave memoirs for her family, and some information can be found on Wikidepia . The trivia section says that this film was a HUGE money-loser for MGM, but maybe that was due to the length of the film, almost two hours. or maybe the subject matter was distaste-ful for a public that had just accepted the film production code. Napoleon's mom played by the fun Dame May Whitty. Apparently, a good chunk of this story actually occurred. For a period piece, it's not so bad. Some parts are a bit silly, but it does tell a story. Garbo only made two more after this. Near the end of her film career. Of course, she WAS nominated for the next one... Ninotchka. For those interested in when and where "Countess Marie" died, please visit the wikipedia link.

"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.

"Conquest" was an attempt by all departments to secure a hit… Garbo's co-star was the romantic idol of the day, Charles Boyer; the subject was to have an epic sweep – Napoleon's retreat from his disastrous Russian campaign, through Poland and Marie Walewska, on his inevitable way to Elba… Garbo's role – as his suffering, cast-off mistress, victim of high politics – was a chance to touch the heartstrings… It all failed, for reasons clearly laid out early on in the story when Marie tells an admonitory Emperor: 'Sire. You stand in the sun.' Garbo's fans saw no point in their idol standing in the shadows… "Conquest" remains a measured, dignified, and often rather dull historical fiction, lightened by excellent performances and production

Ever since I first saw "Conquest" back in '38, I've been convinced that the first half of the film is a magnificent production, while the second half is terribly slow,as Clarence Brown's films always tended to be. The magnificent opening, with the cossacks invading the Walewski Palace, is typical of the best Clarence Brown, even if reminds you of Josef von Sternberg's "The Scarlet Empress". The trouble with the picture is that it starts telling the story or Marie Walewska, and in the middle leaves Walewska (and Garbo!) behind to tell us the political and military fall of Napoleon, which it does very badly. It is typical of this Garbo film, that its best scene omits her, and is a verbal duel between Charles Boyer and Maria Ouspenskaya. Garbo is magnificent, but Boyer was a more talented performer, and is the only actor ever to "steal" a picture from her. Magnificent production, a screen play that has no unity, and a direction that drags, conspire to make you admire Garbo, Boyer and Ouspenskaya during the first half, and sleep through the second.