A dramatized account of Napoleon's love life and his many women; from first-love, marriage, and betrayal with Josephine, liaisons with actresses, his love for the beautiful patriotic Marie Walewska, and his second marriage to the Austrian Marie-Louise, all the time seeking an heir and building an empire.

The young Napoleon, at 25 a general in the French army, is unemployed. In Marseilles, he woos Désirée Clary, daughter of a rich merchant. But despite her acceptance to his proposal of marriage, her family refuse permission until he has a position and money.

He leaves for Paris where, through good fortune and timing, he is put in charge of the defence of the Tuileries. Napoleon successfully quashes an uprising and is made Commander of the Army of the Interior.

He meets Josephine, falls madly in love, and eventually marries her. Napoleon's plan for the conquest of Italy is approved and so, a bridegroom of two days, he leaves for the Italian Campaign. He swears undying love for Josephine, not knowing that she does not love him, and is only too ready to give her love to others.