A Royal Divorce is a 1938 British historical drama film directed by Jack Raymond and starring Ruth Chatterton, Pierre Blanchar and Frank Cellier.[1] The film portrays the complex relationship between Napoleon I of France and his wife, Josephine Bonaparte from their first meeting until their divorce more than a decade later.[2] It was shot at Denham Studios in Buckinghamshire.[3] The film's sets were designed by the art director David Rawnsley.
Cast
- Ruth Chatterton as Josephine de Beauharnais
- Pierre Blanchar as Napoleon Bonaparte
- Frank Cellier as Talleyrand
- Carol Goodner as Mme. Tallien
- Auriol Lee as Napoleon's Mother
- George Curzon as Barras
- Laurence Hanray as Klemens von Metternich
- John Laurie as Joseph Bonaparte
- Jack Hawkins as Captain Charles
- Rosalyn Boulter as Hortense
- Allan Jeayes as Marat
- Moran Caplat as Eugene
- Romilly Lunge as Junot
- Hubert Harben as DeTracy
- David Farrar as Louis Bonaparte
- Julian Somers as Lucien Bonaparte
- Sonia Carol as Eliza
- Tamara d'Etter as Pauline
- Ivy Shannon as Caroline
Critical reception
TV Guide called the film a "mediocre adaptation",[4] while Allmovie wrote, "in terms of costumes and settings, A Royal Divorce is authentic to a fault; in terms of adherence to the facts, it's a bit shaky, though undeniably dramatic.[5]
References
- 1."Royal Divorce, A (1938) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023.
- 2."A Royal Divorce". BFI. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009.
- 3.Wood p.99
- 4."A Royal Divorce". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016.
- 5."A Royal Divorce (1938) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast - AllMovie". AllMovie.