[.ca] Napoleon (TV Miniseries) (2-Disc Standard Edition)

From Amazon.com:
One of the Great Lives gets the full-scale miniseries treatment in this lavish international co-production (which aired on A & E). Even at a six-hour running time, there's barely room for all the extraordinary twists and turns of Napoleon Bonaparte's turbulent career as Emperor of France, from his brilliant early military victories after the Revolution to his megalomaniacal attempts to reign over all of Europe. While there are battle scenes galore, and court ceremonies staged with eye-popping pomp and circumstance, this production keeps returning to the intent, watchful face of Christian Clavier's Napoleon. The hawk-eyed, pint-sized actor appears born to play the role, and he draws out the humanity within the icon. Clavier dominates the film, although Isabella Rossellini's Josephine is heartfelt enough to convince you of the passion between these two, which later turned into a kind of pragmatic contract. (Hard to keep your love life straight when you're trying to rule the world.) John Malkovich, in his exquisite-decadent mode, provides amoral political advice as Talleyrand. Napoleon has the usual problems of international moviemaking, including the toneless line readings of supporting actors and the patchwork of accents. And it must move from A to B to C in predictable fashion, the curse of the historical biography. Abel Gance's silent epic Napoleon remains the cinematic standard for this life, but A & E's version gives a satisfying dramatic overview. --Robert Horton

Chronique Amazon.fr:
Un générique aux allures de superproduction hollywoodienne, un casting international de qualité (Isabella Rossellini, John Malkovitch, Anouk Aimée), Le Napoléon écrit par Didier Decoin d'après l'œuvre de Max Gallo est une production internationale à gros budget et ça se voit : costumes, décors, vedettes, tout y est. La réalisation, si elle est efficace, usant de plans originaux pour une œuvre télévisée, reste très académique, à l'image du style artistique de l'époque, et n'efface pas l'impression d'un cours d'Histoire en images. La surprise vient de Christian Clavier qui incarne le petit caporal en en faisant un homme capable d'humour, au regard perçant et aux décisions tranchées, un fervent défenseur de la République et un amoureux des mathématiques. Subjugué par Joséphine, femme ambitieuse qui rêve d'un destin plus grand que celui d'une reine, il demeure un homme de libertés qui interdit les gazettes dérangeantes. Mais il manque à Clavier l'épaisseur dramatique nécessaire pour croire entièrement à cet ogre de Bonaparte. Napoléon, visionnaire ou dictateur, cette fresque historique survolée au pas de charge relance le débat. Aurélie Rochman

Not to be viewed as a documentary....:
This warning whould not be taken lightly: anyone buying this DVD box should not be looking for a complete and historically rigourous documentary. That being said, Napoleon is an extraordinary TV series that does justice to the "grandeur" of the man, and also to his lackings. Of course, there are some inaccuracies (i.e. the scene where Napoleon says to Talleyrand: "Vous êtes de la merde dans un bas de soi", where it is in reality Lannes who made that graphic statement), but all in all, a very entertaining movie. Having read Max Gallo's books (novels based on Napoleon's life), on which this movie is based, I feel quite satisfied. Also being a Napoleonic afficionado (without losing my sense of critic on what the two Napoleons have done), even the historical errors have not made me enjoy this movie less. Highly recommended!!!

Misleading Piece of Propaganda:
It is a terrible task to write a bad review. This series isn't worth the money it did cost nor would it be worth spending yours. The historical in-accuracy of this poorly fabricated piece of propaganda is striking. Get me right, yes, the uniforms and costumes, horses, coaches and interiors of this movie are lavishly eye pleasing, but all of this has been put together for only one purpose it seems: The gorification of the great beast. Although he is mainly on display as a womanizer, the political career isn't totally rendered invisible. Only it seems, that the main actor, thus Napoleon, seemingly is even more surprised by all the things happening to him, than the viewer. There is no explanation of who Napoleon was nor expect any clues of why he did become who he was. The great corsican, the Europe devastating thunderstorm for two decades, the great maneater, the great reformer and the great warrior: You'll find very little answers to this profile in 6 hours. Don't waste your money buying this operetta. Try to get a hold of 'Waterloo' (1970) with Rod Steiger as Napoleon, if you're interested in a more honest (still very incomplete) view on Buonaparte or take Abel Gance's version from the 1920ies.

SO WHY WAS THIS LITTLE MAN SO LOVED BY HIS SOLDIERS?:
Because Napoleon was one of the great orators in history, that's why. His talent for saying what people wanted to hear and stirring up blind obedience regardless of the consequences would not be matched until well over a century later when Hitler came along. But you would never guess that from watching this so-so miniseries. It's a shame, too. The impassioned speach he gave his men during the Italian campaign makes for perfect epic film making. It also constitutes part of what makes the legend of Napoleon so enduring. Watch it for the pretty costumes if you enjoy that kind of stuff, but don't expect a good history lesson. Peace, bro.

Entertaining and enlightening:
NAPOLEON is a splendid A & E mini-series about one of the most famous generals/conquerors/rulers/reformers in history. This is an international production based upon the book by Max Gallo and is sympathetic towards BONAPARTE. Even at six hours, it can't cover all the details covered in hundreds of pages in hundreds of books. There are plenty of times you wish they had given a bit more background. Yet, it does an admirable job in giving you the essence and understanding of the period while being highly entertaining. Some of the international supporting cast seem a little wooden, but the stars do well in enlightening the characters and events. Christian Clavier gives a convincing, sympathetic, and understanding portrayal of Napoleon, although with little of his darker side. Isabella Rossellini enables you to see why Napoleon loved Josephine despite her philandering while he was away in his early years. (Yes, there is more to Josephine than appearances). John Malkovic plays a really smooth Talleyrand who as Foreign Minister survived and served multiple masters in the revolution, empire, and monarchy. The film begins in 1795 when Napoleon is a promising young officer. One of the most fascinating aspects of celebrities is seeing how they got to the top. The film adequately shows how Napoleon defended the revolutionary government against the rabble, was rewarded with a command in Italy where his brilliant leadership ability begin to shine, and overthru the murderous government ostensibly to forestall a return of the monarchy. Although his reign was relatively brief, less than twenty years, these were some of the most momentous events in European history and the film covers a variety of his personal, military, and political highlights. You see little of his lasting political reforms, but see why he was so momentous. His return from Elba with a handful of supporters, winning back the army to his side, and retaking the government illustrates his appeal and popularity. The film shines with lavish settings, palaces, and military maneuvers. Of course there are plenty of battles including Arcola, Austerlitz, Jena, Eylau, Aspern-Essling, and Waterloo. None of the battles get the full treatment like the Soviet version of many years ago, but while short, they are well done. You'll have to read books to find out why he was a military genius and pore over his tactics, but the film's battles make it clear that conquering, holding, and losing most of Europe wasn't easy. In sum, the film fulfills its promise to entertain and enlighten viewers with a brief overview about one of the most fascinating individuals in history and to show why our interest endures today. Then go on to learn the details by reading a book or reliving the era by playing a game. Napoleonic era boardgames is one of the largest and most detailed areas of gaming.

Disappointed is the the only word:
An interest in Josephine was why I saw this in the first place. But I was terribly disappointed. First of all, Josephine is supposed to be very elegant with a melodious voice, both of which are sadly absent in Isabella Rosellini. No matter how well she was able to capture Josephine's passion, some of it was badly misplaced, especially in the scene where she declares sorrow and curses. I'm not against older women, and I do not belive that all actresses should be like models, but Josephine is terribly miscast. The battle scenes were also very fake and cheap, not able to capture Napoleon valor or courage, nor that of any of his soldiers. Dialogue is more often stiff and uncomfortable than not. However, good performances as usual from Gerard Depardieu and John Malkovich, who played Talleyrand. Malkovich was perfect for the role, and sent chills down my spine. I'd recommend it, but only if you could stomach Josephine portrayed as an old hag and fishwife.