Marie Antoinette

1938 · Movie · 149 min. · United States

Drama Costume Drama Biography Historical French Revolution 18th Century

The life of Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) from betrothal and marriage in 1770 to her beheading. At first, she's a Hapsburg teenager isolated in France, living a virgin's life in the household of the Dauphin, a shy solitary man who would like to be a locksmith. Marie discovers high society, with the help of Orleans and her brothers-in-law. Her foolishness is at its height when she meets a Swedish count, Axel de Fersen. He helps her see her fecklessness. In the second half of the film, she avoids an annulment, becomes queen, bears children, and is a responsible ruler. The affair of the necklace and the general poverty of France feed revolution. She faces death with dignity. Academy Awards: 4 Nominations: Actress (Norma Shearer), Actor in a Supporting Role (Robert Morley), Art Direction and Best Music, Original Score.

Direction W.S. Van Dyke

Cast Norma Shearer · Tyrone Power · John Barrymore · Robert Morley · Anita Louise · Marilyn Knowlden