"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
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