HE CAME FROM NOTHING. HE CONQUERED EVERYTHING.

A dependably robust epic from a filmmaker who has shown a great interest in brutal, historical dramas many times before. This one takes us on a sweeping journey through Napoleon’s life, starting with the execution of Marie Antoinette… which is unlikely that he witnessed.

Rather than being absolutely true to historic events, Ridley Scott and writer David Scarpa’s ambition is to create a boisterous portrait of a brilliantly talented, ambitious and foolish man, highlighting the absurdities of his life.

Joaquin Phoenix is perfect for the part; as expected, the battle sequences are majestic, with Austerlitz serving up the greatest thrills.

2023-U.S.-U.K. 157 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Ridley Scott. Screenplay: David Scarpa. Cinematography: Dariusz Wolski. Cast: Joaquin Phoenix (Napoleon Bonaparte), Vanessa Kirby (Joséphine), Rupert Everett (Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington), Tahar Rahim, Ben Miles, Paul Rhys. 

Trivia: Co-produced by Scott. Jodie Comer was first hired as Joséphine. Also released in a 205-min. version.

Last word: “Joaquin looks like Napoleon. I didn’t say that to him, I didn’t want to make him feel too important. I was blown away by his outrageous performance as Joker. I didn’t like the way the film condoned violence, celebrated violence. I didn’t like that. But he was remarkable, and the fact he’d done that already made him a very good asset to sell the film. Napoleon, I’m also thinking commercial. It could only have been two people and I won’t mention the other actor because they may get pissed off.” (Scott, Deadline)