# The 1954 movie that turned Marlon Brando from an actor to a “genius”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-1954-movie-that-turned-marlon-brando-from-an-actor-to-a-genius/
- Published: 2026-07-22T12:53:17+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-29T00:25:53+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-1954-movie-that-turned-marlon-brando-from-an-actor-to-a-genius/
- Topics: Celebrity, Entertainment, Film

## Key points

- Olivier praised Brando’s Napoleon as an exceptional portrayal.
- *Désirée* was released in 1954.
- Brando’s naturalism was central to Olivier’s assessment.

## Summary

The article argues that Marlon Brando’s performance as Napoleon Bonaparte in the 1954 film *Désirée* prompted Laurence Olivier to regard him as more than merely an accomplished actor. Olivier described Brando’s ability to convey a character’s genius naturally and without strain as exceptional, reinforcing Brando’s reputation as one of cinema’s most influential performers.

In *Désirée*, Brando played Napoleon opposite Jean Simmons as Désirée Clary. Olivier called the portrayal the best depiction of Napoleon he had seen, praising Brando’s ease, technical skill and “astonishing gift”; the article places this acclaim alongside Brando’s later celebrated work in films including *The Godfather* and *Apocalypse Now*.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.