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.
| A Royal Divorce | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| 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 |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
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 asPauline
- Ivy Shannonas 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
References
Bibliography
- Low, Rachael. Filmmaking in 1930s Britain. George Allen & Unwin, 1985.
- Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927-1939. British Film Institute, 1986.
