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DramaRomanceWar

The Mad Empress

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The Mad Empress is a 1939 American historical drama film depicting the 3-year reign of Maximilian I of Mexico and his struggles against Benito Juarez.

Release Date : 1939-12-16

Language :

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Miguel Contreras TorresHispano Continental FilmsWarner Bros. Pictures

Production Country : MexicoUnited States of America

Alternative Titles : Carlotta the Mad EmpressJuarez and Maximilian

Cast

Medea de Novara

Character Name : Empress Carlotta of Mexico

Original Name : Medea de Novara

Gender : Male

Conrad Nagel

Character Name : Maximilian

Original Name : Conrad Nagel

Gender : Male

Jason Robards Sr.

Character Name : President Benito Juarez

Original Name : Jason Robards Sr.

Gender : Male

Lionel Atwill

Character Name : General Bazaine

Original Name : Lionel Atwill

Gender : Male

Guy Bates Post

Character Name : Louis Napoleon III

Original Name : Guy Bates Post

Gender : Male

Evelyn Brent

Character Name : Empress Eugenie

Original Name : Evelyn Brent

Gender : Female

Frank McGlynn Sr.

Character Name : President Abraham Lincoln

Original Name : Frank McGlynn Sr.

Gender : Male

Nigel De Brulier

Character Name : Father Fisher

Original Name : Nigel De Brulier

Gender : Male

Gustav von Seyffertitz

Character Name : Metternich

Original Name : Gustav von Seyffertitz

Gender : Male

Michael Visaroff

Character Name : Dr. Samuel Basch

Original Name : Michael Visaroff

Gender : Male

Earl Gunn

Character Name : Porfirio Diaz

Original Name : Earl Gunn

Gender : Male

George Regas

Character Name : Mariano Escobedo

Original Name : George Regas

Gender : Male

Rudolph Anders

Character Name : Herzfeld

Original Name : Rudolph Anders

Gender : Male

Duncan Renaldo

Character Name : Col. Miguel López

Original Name : Duncan Renaldo

Gender : Male

Julian Rivero

Character Name : General Tomás Mejía

Original Name : Julian Rivero

Gender : Male

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-06-22

Comparisons are bound to be made between this and "Juarez" being made, simultaneously, across Los Angeles - both focussing on the ill-fated Maxililian and Carlotta - the first, last and only Emperor and Empress of Mexico. Installed by Emperor Napoleon III (Guy Post) the couple reluctantly arrive in their new Empire assured of the support of the local population, and of the military of the French. It doesn't take them very long to realise that both promises are somewhat hollow - especially after their chief military advisor "Bazaine" (Lionel Atwill) manages to get Maxilmilian (Conrad Nagel) to sign a pretty Draconian degree which only serves to galvanise the independent spirit of his people. Carlotta (Medea de Novaro) hardly features at all in this rather mis-titled drama - she heads home to plead their hopeless cause with Napoleon, only for her insistence to fall on deaf ears and for her to remain, without her husband, slowly going out of her mind with grief and loneliness. It pays more than a passing nod to the history - the restoration of the Republic under Juarez (Jason Robards Snr.) and of the grizzly fate that awaited the erstwhile monarch - and the performance from Nagel injects some of the pride and integrity of a man used as a pawn as surely as if he were nought but a foot soldier (in a more fancy uniform) in his cousin's guard. The narrative is a bit too chronological, and the performances and writing are efficient, but it's still well made and good looking with the glamorous de Novara (and her very thick accent) enjoyable to watch too.