IMDb RATING
7.3/10
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The tragic life of Marie Antoinette, who became queen of France in her late teens.The tragic life of Marie Antoinette, who became queen of France in her late teens.The tragic life of Marie Antoinette, who became queen of France in her late teens.
- Nominated for 4 Oscars
- 2 wins & 5 nominations total
Albert Dekker
- Comte de Provence
- (as Albert Van Dekker)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to Wikipedia, the movie had thousands of costumes and lavish set designs. Adrian visited France and Austria in 1937 researching the period. He studied the paintings of Marie Antoinette, even using a microscope on them so that the embroidery and fabric could be identical. Fabrics were specially woven and embroidered with stitches sometimes too fine to be seen with the naked eye. The attention to detail was extreme, from the framework to hair. Some gowns became extremely heavy due to the embroidery, flounces and precious stones used. Norma Shearer's gowns alone had a combined weight of over 1,768 lb., the heaviest being the wedding dress.
- GoofsAt the time of their wedding, the Dauphin, Louis, was 15 and Marie Antoinette was 14. Norma Shearer could (barely) get away with portraying a 14-year-old (as she portrayed a 13-year-old Juliet in ROMEO AND JULIET (1936) because many noble/royal females were more mature and had regal bearing), but Robert Morley looked 35, not 15.
- Quotes
Marie Antoinette: I once thought if I were queen, I'd be so happy. To be applauded and adored and obeyed. I don't want it now. I just want to be free. To be with you. To love you. I cannot wear a crown upon my heart.
- Alternate versions"Unrestored" film has now been restored and is available on DVD. When the film played the Carthay Circle in Los Angeles and the Astor Theatre in New York as a reserved seat "road show" attraction, the print ran eleven minutes longer than the generally available 149 minute Turner Library print. These eleven minutes contained an overture, entr'acte, and exit music, with an intermission immediately following Antoinette's emotional farewell to Fersen on the steps of Versailles. These remnants of the "road show" presentation have now been restored to the new Warner Bros. Home Video DVD, which runs a little over 157 minutes.
- ConnectionsEdited into Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972)
Featured review
MGM's lavishly budgeted look at the French Revolution during the reign of King Louis and his famously selfish MARIE ANTOINETTE spares no expense in detailing the grim background of court conspiracies and the people's unrest that led to their downfall.
Too bad none of this eye-popping splendor wasn't captured in Technicolor, as originally planned--but with a budget well over 1.5 million it was decided to film it in glorious B&W. No matter, it's still a spectacle for sore eyes.
There can be no doubt about NORMA SHEARER's triumph in the title role nor is any of the acting in the large cast below standard. ROBERT MORLEY as the weak and indecisive Louis is immensely touching and effective as he realizes the gravity of their predicament. JOHN BARRYMORE is fine and Joseph SCHILDKRAUT is wonderful as an aristocratic fop. TYRONE POWER lends his romantic presence to a role that requires little more than his good looks. He and Shearer make a physically appealing romantic team.
It's interesting that Irving Thalberg died before production began on the film. One wonders whether his influence on it might have made it an even stronger production. There are definite lulls in the telling but it builds dramatically to all of the final scenes. It's the kind of film that leads one to read more about the actual events and that's always a good thing.
Summing up: Sumptuously produced, well acted and well directed--what more could you want for an interesting glimpse of a life of royalty among a time of social upheaval? Shearer's triumphant return to the screen after a two-year absence.
Too bad none of this eye-popping splendor wasn't captured in Technicolor, as originally planned--but with a budget well over 1.5 million it was decided to film it in glorious B&W. No matter, it's still a spectacle for sore eyes.
There can be no doubt about NORMA SHEARER's triumph in the title role nor is any of the acting in the large cast below standard. ROBERT MORLEY as the weak and indecisive Louis is immensely touching and effective as he realizes the gravity of their predicament. JOHN BARRYMORE is fine and Joseph SCHILDKRAUT is wonderful as an aristocratic fop. TYRONE POWER lends his romantic presence to a role that requires little more than his good looks. He and Shearer make a physically appealing romantic team.
It's interesting that Irving Thalberg died before production began on the film. One wonders whether his influence on it might have made it an even stronger production. There are definite lulls in the telling but it builds dramatically to all of the final scenes. It's the kind of film that leads one to read more about the actual events and that's always a good thing.
Summing up: Sumptuously produced, well acted and well directed--what more could you want for an interesting glimpse of a life of royalty among a time of social upheaval? Shearer's triumphant return to the screen after a two-year absence.
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- María Antonieta
- Filming locations
- Chateau de Versailles, Versailles, Yvelines, France(palace backgrounds)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,926,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 29 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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