Napoleon Movie Review 2003

Epic miniseries starts off with a bedraggled general Napoleon Bonaparte (Clavier) managing to make both personal and professional marks in 1794 Paris: he thwarts a royalist riot at the end of the French Revolution and he meets Josephine (Rossellini). Soon, Napoleon is rising through the military ranks, winning the loyalty of the people, and proclaiming himself Emperor. But since Josephine can't give him a child, he has to make some dynastic decisions and begins to lose control. A lavish spectacle and a charismatic titular performance by Clavier. Based on the biography by Max Gallo.

Distribution

A&E Home Video, PO Box 2284, South Burlington, VT 05407, Toll-free: 888-423-1212, Fax: (802)864-9846, Email: homevideo@aetv.com, URL: http://www.aetv.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 360 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Paris, Royalty, French, Historical Drama, Biopics: Politics, Period Piece: 18th Century, Period Piece: 19th Century, Marriage, Big Battles

Screenplay

Didier Decoin

Cast

Christian Clavier, Isabella Rossellini, Gerard Depardieu, John Malkovich, Anouk Aimee, Heino Ferch, Ennio Fantastichini, Guillaume Depardieu, Sebastian Koch, Julian Sands, Toby Stephens, John Wood, Mavie Horbiger, Yves Jacques

Cinematography

Guy Dufaux

Director

Yves Simoneau

Music

Richard Gregoire