His love scenes are extremely elaborate and exquisitely structured. The script Uncredited as a scriptwriter is novelist F. 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.ġ0. It's the kind of film that leads one to read more about the actual events and that's always a good thing. There are definite lulls in the telling but it builds dramatically to all of the final scenes. One wonders whether his influence on it might have made it an even stronger production. It's interesting that Irving Thalberg died before production began on the film. He and Shearer make a physically appealing romantic team. TYRONE POWER lends his romantic presence to a role that requires little more than his good looks. JOHN BARRYMORE is fine and Joseph SCHILDKRAUT is wonderful as an aristocratic fop. ROBERT MORLEY as the weak and indecisive Louis is immensely touching and effective as he realizes the gravity of their predicament. 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.

No matter, it's still a spectacle for sore eyes. 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.

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.

Stefan zweig marie antoinette review