Juarez (1939)

Emperor Louis Napoleon III: Democracy! Government of the cattle, by the cattle, for the cattle!

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Emperor Maximilian von Hapsburg: [as he is being led to his execution by firing squad] "Distribute this money among your men and tell them to aim for my heart."

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Empress Carlotta von Hapsburg: More than an empire is in danger. My husband's life. And knowing this, you could abandon him? Answer me, sire!
Emperor Louis Napoleon III: Regardless of my personal sentiments, I am, as you see, Madame, in the hands of my ministers.
Empress Carlotta von Hapsburg: In the hands of your ministers! Was it you or your ministers who conceived the plan to mask your infamies behind my husband's noble name? Who tricked him into accepting the throne by means of a pretended plebiscite? Who assured him of French troops and French funds until the day that the Empire of Mexico could take her place among other nations? Answer me, sire!
Empress Eugenie: Carlotta, please...
Empress Carlotta von Hapsburg: What are the names of your ministers which are affixed to the Treaty of Miramar? Did your ministers sign this letter: "I urge you to count upon my everlasting friendship. You may rest assured that my support will not fail you in the accomplishment which you are so courageously undertaking." Answer me, sire!
Emperor Louis Napoleon III: It is useless, Madame. Not another franc. Not another man. We are through with Mexico.
Empress Carlotta von Hapsburg: What else might a Hapsburg have expected from the word of a bourgeois Bonaparte? You charlatan! But you will not dare let him die! I will denounce you in every court in Europe for what you will be: a murderer! A murderer!

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Because the film shows many of Maximilian's generals to be Mexican, many viewers attribute it to typical Hollywood historical distortions. It is, however, indeed accurate. It's a little-known fact that, although Maximilian was eventually overthrown and executed by Mexican revolutionaries, there were actually more Mexicans fighting on Maximilian's side than against him. This was due in large part to the Catholic Church's strong support of the French occupation of Mexico and its "encouraging" Mexican Catholics to fight against the revolutionary forces by joining Maximilian's army, which they did in large numbers.
Orry-Kelly designed costumes for Bette Davis which changed in tone as the film progressed: from white at the beginning, changing to gray in mid-film, and then to black at the end when she goes insane.
Extensive research was done to provide accuracy. The writers had a bibliography of 372 books. Art director Anton Grot made 3,643 sketches from which 7,360 blueprints were prepared for exterior and interior settings. A complete Mexican village was built on the Warner Bros. ranch in the San Fernando Valley.
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