Vénus Impérial (1963)
Directed by Jean Delannoy

Film Synopsis

Pauline Bonaparte, the preferred sister of the Emperor Napoléon, was destined to lead a life that would be governed more by her brother's political ambitions than her own desires.  It was Napoléon's wish that she should marry the wealthy proconsul of Marseille, Louis-Marie Fréron, but whilst the match suited Pauline it was opposed by her mother Letizia.  Instead, she was forced to marry a French general, Charles Leclerc.  This was a hard blow for the young woman as she had already lost her heart to another man, Jules de Canouville.  Once Napoléon had appointed Leclerc Governor General of Saint-Dominique, Pauline accompanied her husband to the island, where they lived a privileged life until Leclerc fell ill and died from yellow fever.

On her return to France, the still young widow had no shortage of admirers, but her brother already had her next husband line up for her.  A union with the influential Prince Camillo Borghese would no doubt improve relations between France and Italy, so Pauline had no alternative but to comply with another forced alliance.  It was not to be a happy marriage.  Back in Paris, Pauline had the good fortune to meet up with her former lover Jules de Canouville.  But all too soon the affair was over.  With the one true love of her life taken from her by her brother's Russian campaign, Pauline was left alone and heart-broken...