The only reason I watched this terrible film was to get a glance of Clark Gable in a small role early in his career. Apart from that, I can think of no reason to watch this movie. And, although other reviews say it's not as bad as its reputation, I would disagree...it's every bit as bad!
The story admits in the opening credits that although the characters were real, the story itself is fiction. It follows Madame DuBarry from being a simple peasant to King Louis XV's mistress. While being his mistress should have made her happy, DuBarry pined for an officer she met early in the movie. Various problems naturally ensue when the King learns of this love.
The film is the final film of Norma Talmadge, a famous silent star. I can see why, as she was often histrionic and overacted terribly. I might not be all her fault, as the written dialog was bad and the director let her get away with such an awful performance. Regardless, the acting is pretty poor...at best. Overall, a bloated, big-budgeted bore.
Also of note. The film's ending is poorly done and showed little research. The filmmakers mixed up Louis XV with Louis XVI. The film showed the French Revolution and peasants storming Louis XV's palace...which simply did not happen. It was Louis XVI who was king during the revolution and his palace was stormed. The only part that WAS right was that DuBarry was still alive during Louis XVI's reign and ended up on the chopping block in 1793.
The story admits in the opening credits that although the characters were real, the story itself is fiction. It follows Madame DuBarry from being a simple peasant to King Louis XV's mistress. While being his mistress should have made her happy, DuBarry pined for an officer she met early in the movie. Various problems naturally ensue when the King learns of this love.
The film is the final film of Norma Talmadge, a famous silent star. I can see why, as she was often histrionic and overacted terribly. I might not be all her fault, as the written dialog was bad and the director let her get away with such an awful performance. Regardless, the acting is pretty poor...at best. Overall, a bloated, big-budgeted bore.
Also of note. The film's ending is poorly done and showed little research. The filmmakers mixed up Louis XV with Louis XVI. The film showed the French Revolution and peasants storming Louis XV's palace...which simply did not happen. It was Louis XVI who was king during the revolution and his palace was stormed. The only part that WAS right was that DuBarry was still alive during Louis XVI's reign and ended up on the chopping block in 1793.