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A Royal Divorce (1938 film)

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A Royal Divorce
Directed by Jack Raymond
Written by Miles Malleson
Jacques Théry
Produced by Herbert Wilcox
Starring Ruth Chatterton
Pierre Blanchar
Carol Goodner
Cinematography Freddie Young
Edited by Peggy Hennessey
Music by Anthony Collins
Production
company
Imperator Films
Distributed by Paramount British Pictures
Release date 21 September 1938 (United Kingdom)
Running time 85 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English

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]

See also

  • A Royal Divorce (1923)
  • Cultural depictions of Napoleon I of France

References

Bibliography

  • Low, Rachael. Filmmaking in 1930s Britain. George Allen & Unwin, 1985.
  • Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927-1939. British Film Institute, 1986.