The film lasts decades, starting from bonaparte's introduction to desiree, before he changed his name, through the memorable battle of waterloo. As famous a figure as he was, the film actually focuses on … In marseilles, france in 1794, desiree clary, a young millinery clerk, becomes infatuated with napoleon bonaparte, but winds up wedding genaral jean-baptiste berandotte, an aid to napoleon who later …

Désirée accepts and lends napoleon the money to return to paris. Désirée, desiree or desirée (with other variations possible) is a feminine given name of french origin ultimately derived from the latin word desiderata, meaning desired. About the movie: Based on the best-selling novel, this film tells the life story of désirée clary (jean simmons), a french merchant's daughter who becomes engaged to a young general named