Juarez is a 1939 film with Paul Muni, Brian Aherne, Bette Davis, and John Garfield about the conflict between Maximilian I, a political dupe who, according to the film, has been sent by the French as a puppet ruler, and Benito Juarez, the President of Mexico. The film is so constructed as to engender sympathy for the plight of Maximilian although he fully asserts his power. He is finally arrested, imprisoned, and executed by order of Juarez, who, in the final scene, kneels before Maximilian's coffin and says, "Forgive me".
Though Muni and Bette Davis are top-billed, it is Brian Aherne, as Maximilian, who has the most screen time in the film.
The newly named emperor Maximilian and his wife Carolotta arrive in Mexico to face popular sentiment favoring Benito Juraez and democracy. He tries to appease the Mexicans but fails. Abraham Lincoln is supporting Juarez and asks the French to withdraw support for Maximilian. Carlotta goes to France to plead with Napoleon, to no avail. Written by Ed Stephan
