

A Polish countess is dispatched by her country to become Napoleon Bonaparte's mistress at the urging of Polish leaders, who feel she might influence him to support Polish independence.
Acting
Garbo's face does three acts of tragedy without dialogue.
Production
Lavish MGM sets that probably bankrupted a small nation.
Costume
Adrian's gowns—she suffers beautifully in satin.

Director
Clarence Brown
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Garbo's most expensive film and her only box office bomb—audiences wanted her single, not sacrificing for Poland.