The Mad Empress main backdrop
The Mad Empress main poster

The Mad Empress

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5.6/10 • 7

1939-12-161h 12m

DramaRomanceWar

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.

Directors
Miguel Contreras Torres
Writters
Jean Bart, Miguel Contreras Torres, Jerome Chodorov

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Medea de Novara

    Medea de Novara

    Empress Carlotta of Mexico

  2. Conrad Nagel

    Conrad Nagel

    Maximilian

  3. Jason Robards Sr.

    Jason Robards Sr.

    President Benito Juarez

  4. Lionel Atwill

    Lionel Atwill

    General Bazaine

  5. Guy Bates Post

    Guy Bates Post

    Louis Napoleon III

  6. Evelyn Brent

    Evelyn Brent

    Empress Eugenie

  7. Frank McGlynn Sr.

    Frank McGlynn Sr.

    President Abraham Lincoln

  8. Nigel De Brulier

    Nigel De Brulier

    Father Fisher

  9. Gustav von Seyffertitz

    Gustav von Seyffertitz

    Metternich

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jun 22, 2022

7/10

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.

Media

  • The Mad Empress poster
  • The Mad Empress poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
revolutionnapoleon bonapartefamily relationshipsroyaltyreligion