Apple Studios and Scott Free Productions’ Napoleon (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; A) is an epic historical drama film. It is the true story of Napoleon Bonaparte and his rise to power as well as his relationship with Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais. The film chronicles the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte.
David Scarpa has penned an interesting story and an engrossing screenplay which, even though slow-paced, keep the audience interest alive. However, in India, the drama will appeal more to the class audience because it is a historical about a French leader, that too, of the 18th century. If the war and planning scenes show how intelligent and smart Napoleon was, the scenes of his love life reveal his vulnerable side.
Joaquin Phoenix does a fine job in the title role. Vanessa Kirby is good as Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais. Tahar Rahim lends decent support as Paul Barras. Ben Miles makes his presence felt as Caulaincourt. Ludivine Sagnier is nice as noblewoman Thérésa Cabarrus. Matthew Needham has his moments as Napoleon’s brother, Lucien Bonaparte. John Hollingworth (as Marshal Net), Youssef Kerkour (as Marshal Davout), Phil Cornwell (as executioner Sanson ‘The Bourreau’), Édouard Philipponnat (as Alexander I, the Tsar of Russia), Ian McNeice (as Louis VIII), Rupert Everett (as Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley), Paul Rhys (as diplomat Talleyrand), Catherine Walker (as Marie-Antoinette), Gavin Spokes as (Directory politician Moulin), Catherine Harvey (as Moulin’s wife), Mark Bonnar (as Jean-Andoche Junot), Anna Mawn (as Archduchess Marie-Louise, Napoleon’s second wife), Davide Tucci (as Lazare Hoche), Scott Handy (as Marshal Berthier), Riana Duce (as Lucille), Abubakar Salim (as General Dumas), Thom Ashley (as La Bedoyere), Jannis Niewöhner (as Hippolyte Charles), Julian Rhind-Tutt (as Sieyes), Miles Jupp (as Emperor Francis I), Benjamin Chivers (as Eugene I), Sam Meakin (as Eugene II), Sinéad Cusack (as Letizia Bonaparte), Harriet Bunton (as Pauline Bonaparte), Charlie Greenwood (as Caroline Bonaparte), Sam Crane (as Jacques-Louis David), Harry Taurasi (as citizen Lacombe), Edward Mercieca (as General Carteaux), Arthur McBain (as General Marchand), Richard McCabe (as Lord Whitworth), Tom Godwin (as the Austrian ambassador), Jonathan Barnwell (as Napoleon’s secretary, Bourrienne), Ned Costello (as French Grenadier Butcher), Tim Faulkner (as Blucher), Peter Sandys-Clarke (as British lieutenant/Waterloo), Morgan Watkins (as the Prussian officer) and the others are adequate.
Ridley Scott’s direction is excellent. Martin Phipps’ background music is wonderful. Dariusz Wolski’s cinematography is fantastic. The battlefield scenes are outstanding and offer a lot of thrill. Arthur Max’s production designing is extraordinary. Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo’s editing ought to have been sharper. Dubbing is very nice.
On the whole, Napoleon is a wonderfully-made film but its box-office performance in India will not be commensurate with its merits due to lack of interest in French history and a French hero, among the Indian audience. Even otherwise, historicals are not always accepted by the Indian audience, and this one is too far back in time, that too, about a foreign hero.
Released on 24-11-’23 at Maratha Mandir (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Sony Pictures Films India Pvt. Ltd. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere. The original English version, released simultaneously, will fare better.