Conquest (1937 film)

Conquest
Theatrical release poster
Directed byClarence Brown
Gustav Machatý (uncredited)
Screenplay byS. N. Behrman
Salka Viertel
Samuel Hoffenstein
Talbot Jennings
Zoë Akins
Based onPani Walewska
by Wacław Gąsiorowski (1904 book)
Helen Jerome (1933 play)
Produced byBernard H. Hyman
StarringGreta Garbo
Charles Boyer
Reginald Owen
Alan Marshal
CinematographyKarl Freund
Edited byTom Held
Music byHerbert Stothart
Production
company
Distributed byLoew's, Inc.
Release date
  • October 22, 1937 (1937-10-22)
Running time
113 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2,732,000[1][2]
Box office$2,141,000

Conquest (also called Marie Walewska) is a 1937 American historical-drama film directed by Clarence Brown and starring Greta Garbo, Charles Boyer, Reginald Owen. It was produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It tells the story of the Polish Countess Marie Walewska, who becomes the mistress of Napoleon in order to influence his actions towards her homeland.[3][4] The supporting cast includes Alan Marshal, Henry Stephenson, Leif Erickson, Dame May Whitty, George Zucco, and Maria Ouspenskaya.

The movie was adapted by S.N. Behrman, Samuel Hoffenstein, Helen Jerome and Salka Viertel from the novel Pani Walewska by Wacław Gąsiorowski. An uncredited Gustav Machatý took over some of the direction. It was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Charles Boyer) and Best Art Direction (Cedric Gibbons and William A. Horning).[5]

Its worldwide gross amounted to $2,141,000, but its massive budget led to a loss of $1,397,000.

MGM initially advertised the upcoming release of the film under the title Marie Walewska, but at the last moment changed the title to the more marketable Conquest when the movie arrived in theaters.

The Dad's Army episode "A Soldier's Farewell" starts with the platoon in the cinema watching this film.

  1. ^ [1][citation needed]
  2. ^ Scott Eyman, Lion of Hollywood: The Life and Legend of Louis B. Mayer, Robson, 2005 p 199
  3. ^ Variety film review; October 27, 1937, page 18.
  4. ^ Harrison's Reports film review; November 13, 1937, page 183.
  5. ^ "NY Times: Winterset". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2008-12-09.