"Napoléon" (2002) TV mini-series 2002-

Writers:

Didier Decoin
Max Gallo (novel)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

17 September 2002 (Italy)

Genre:

Adventure | Biography | Drama | History | Romance | War

Tagline:

An epic life.

Plot:

The year is 1816, and NAPOLEON, held prisoner by the British on the island of St. Helena, is telling the young English girl BETSY his life story...

Plot Keywords:

Army | Campaign | Battle | Russia | British

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 3 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Christian Clavier	...	Napoléon (4 episodes, 2002)
Isabella Rossellini	...	Joséphine de Beauharnais (4 episodes, 2002)
Gérard Depardieu	...	Joseph Fouché (4 episodes, 2002)
John Malkovich	...	Charles Talleyrand (4 episodes, 2002)
Anouk Aimée	...	Letizia Bonaparte (4 episodes, 2002)
Heino Ferch	...	Armand Augustin Louis, Marquis de Caulaincourt (4 episodes, 2002)
Ennio Fantastichini	...	Joseph Bonaparte (4 episodes, 2002)
Marie Bäumer	...	Caroline Bonaparte (4 episodes, 2002)
Ludivine Sagnier	...	Hortense (4 episodes, 2002)
Alain Doutey	...	Maréchal Ney (4 episodes, 2002)
Claudio Amendola	...	Maréchal Joachim Murat (4 episodes, 2002)
André Oumansky	...	Sieyes (4 episodes, 2002)
Jacques Brunet	...	Roger-Ducos (4 episodes, 2002)
Jean-Gabriel Nordmann	...	Roederer (4 episodes, 2002)
Sylvain Corthay	...	Dr. Corvisard (4 episodes, 2002)
Tamsin Egerton	...	Betzy (4 episodes, 2002)
David Francis	...	Hudson Lowe (4 episodes, 2002)
Florence Darel	...	Madame Récamier (4 episodes, 2002)
Alain Teulié	...	Hippolyte Charles (4 episodes, 2002)
Michel Ouimet	...	Docteur Ivan (4 episodes, 2002)
Philip Lenkowsky	...	Cipriani (4 episodes, 2002)
Tom Rack	...	Pêcheur (4 episodes, 2002)
Geneviève Grandbois	...	Femme pêcheur (4 episodes, 2002)
Patrick Bordier	...	Vétéran (4 episodes, 2002)
Christopher Heyerdahl	...	Geoffroy St-Hilaire (4 episodes, 2002)
Benjamin Sacks	...	Jeune soldat pestiféré (4 episodes, 2002)
Emmanuel Karsen	...	Soldat hôpital (4 episodes, 2002)
Deborah Rudetzki	...	Julie (4 episodes, 2002)
Grégoire Bonnet	...	Louis (4 episodes, 2002)
Laurence Margerie	...	Élisa (4 episodes, 2002)
Constance Dollé	...	Pauline (4 episodes, 2002)
Dimitri Michelsen	...	Eugène (4 episodes, 2002)
Tomas Jaka	...	Grenadier blessé St-Cloud (4 episodes, 2002)
Laurent Larcher	...	Soldat St-Cloud (4 episodes, 2002)
Tristan Lignier	...	Officier Tuileries (4 episodes, 2002)
Grégoire Vigneron	...	Laquais Tuileries (4 episodes, 2002)
Bruce McEwen	...	Estafette Tuileries (4 episodes, 2002)
Lee Michelsen	...	Huissier Tuileries (4 episodes, 2002)
Mark Reed-Klevberg	...	Secrétaire Bonaparte (4 episodes, 2002)
László Görög	...	Marbot (4 episodes, 2002)
Andrew Hefler	...	Estafette blessé Danube (4 episodes, 2002)
Doug Rand	...	Percier (4 episodes, 2002)
Mike Dineen	...	Fortin (4 episodes, 2002)
Zsolt Zágoni	...	Adjudant Vincennes (4 episodes, 2002)
Stéphane Bourquin	...	Officier Fontainebleau (4 episodes, 2002)
Shawn Howard	...	Ordonnance Fontainebleau (4 episodes, 2002)
Christian Abomnes	...	Ordonnance Hudson Lowe (4 episodes, 2002)
Patrick Albenque	...	Policier (4 episodes, 2002)
François-Xavier Anseaume	...	Architecte (4 episodes, 2002)
James Babson		(4 episodes, 2002)
Peter Bartfay	...	Soldier (4 episodes, 2002)
Václav Chalupa	...	Isabey (4 episodes, 2002)
Less Clack	...	Dignitaire (4 episodes, 2002)
Julie du Page	...	Jeune femme palais Erfurt (4 episodes, 2002)
Bill Dunn	...	Dignitaire (4 episodes, 2002)
Colm Feore		(4 episodes, 2002)
Couy Griffin	...	Aide de camp église (4 episodes, 2002)
Richard Harris-Temple	...	Policier (4 episodes, 2002)
Zoltán Karácsony Pulika	...	Cavalier ferme (4 episodes, 2002)
Attila Király		(4 episodes, 2002)
Curtis Matthews	...	Officier QG Barras (4 episodes, 2002)
Albert Millaire		(4 episodes, 2002)
Franck Neckebrock		(4 episodes, 2002)
Ivo Novák		(4 episodes, 2002)
Tibor Pintér	...	Aide de camp (4 episodes, 2002)
Tadeusz Sokolowski		(4 episodes, 2002)
András Stohl		(4 episodes, 2002)
Gerard Whelan	...	Officier Ettenheim (4 episodes, 2002)
Harald Winter		(4 episodes, 2002)
Alexandra Maria Lara	...	Comtesse Marie Walewska (3 episodes, 2002)
Julian Sands	...	Klemens Metternich (2 episodes, 2002)
Mavie Hörbiger	...	Marie-Louise d'Autriche (2 episodes, 2002)
Roc LaFortune	...	Marchand (2 episodes, 2002)
Léopoldine Serre	...	Petite fille attentat (2 episodes, 2002)
Andy Cam	...	Homme attentat (2 episodes, 2002)
Sasa Rasilov	...	Policier rue St-Nicaise (2 episodes, 2002)
Jerry Di Giacomo	...	Fuyard St-Nicaise (2 episodes, 2002)

Series Directed by
Yves Simoneau		(4 episodes, 2002)

Series Writing credits
Didier Decoin		(unknown episodes)
Max Gallo		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Adam Betteridge	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
Michael Cowan	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)
David Craig	....	supervising producer: A&E (unknown episodes)
Gérard Depardieu	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Sarim Fassi	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Delia Fine	....	executive producer: A&E Network (unknown episodes)
Jean-Marc Félio	....	producer: New Brunswick (unknown episodes)
Max Gusberti	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)
Jean-Pierre Guérin	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Marc Jenny	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Claude Léger	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)
Véronique Marchat	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
Alex Marshall	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
Jan Matjo	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)
Jason Piette	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)
David Rogers	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)
Yves Simoneau	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
Kornél Sipos	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)
Marc Vadé	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Jonathan Vanger	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Marc Ouellette		(2 episodes, 2002)
Michel Cusson		(unknown episodes)
Richard Grégoire		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Guy Dufaux		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Yves Langlois		(unknown episodes)
Isabelle Malenfant		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Jeremy Zimmermann		(unknown episodes, 2002)
Zsolt Csutak		(unknown episodes)
Martina Kubesova		(unknown episodes)
Françoise Menidrey		(unknown episodes)
Cornelia von Braun		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Richard Cunin		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Lionel Acat		(unknown episodes)
Mónika Esztán		(unknown episodes)
Rémy Jouvin-Bessière		(unknown episodes)
Pierre Michon		(unknown episodes)

Series Set Decoration by
Frédéric Karali		(unknown episodes)

Series Costume Design by
Mariane Carter		(1 episode, 2002)
Pierre-Jean Larroque		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Judit Endrényiné	....	additional makeup artist (unknown episodes, 2002)
Muriel Baurens	....	key makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Sabrina Bernard	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Agathe Dupuis	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Barbara Kichi	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Barbara Kichiova	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Klaudia Király	....	assistant hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Christine Larocque	....	wig maker (unknown episodes)
Serge Lavigueur	....	special makeup effects artist (unknown episodes)
Adrien Morot	....	special makeup effects artist (unknown episodes)
Gabriella Németh	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Michel Perrot	....	wig stylist (unknown episodes)
Gabriela Polakova	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Fulvio Pozzobon	....	hair stylist: extras (unknown episodes)
Estelle Tolstoukine	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)
George Tucci	....	special makeup effects artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Sándor Baló	....	production manager: Hungary (unknown episodes)
Daniel Boudreau	....	unit manager: Canada (unknown episodes)
Ginette Guillard	....	production manager: Canada (unknown episodes)
Marie-Hélène Lambret	....	unit manager: France (unknown episodes)
Frédéric J. Lozet	....	post-production supervisor (unknown episodes)
Bruno Perdrigeat	....	unit manager (unknown episodes)
Michal Prikryl	....	production manager (unknown episodes)
Gerhard Rupp	....	unit manager: Austria (unknown episodes)
Miklós Tóth	....	production manager (unknown episodes)
Marc Vadé	....	production manager (unknown episodes)
Bruno Vatin	....	unit manager: Eastern Europe (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Christophe Vallée	....	second assistant director (1 episode, 2002)
Laurent Herbiet	....	first assistant director: preproduction (unknown episodes, 2002)
Thierry Bouteiller	....	second assistant director: France (unknown episodes)
Olivier Breton	....	second second assistant director: France (unknown episodes)
Ali Cherkaoui	....	first assistant director: Morocco / key second assistant director: Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary (unknown episodes)
Tamás Császár	....	first assistant director: Hungary (unknown episodes)
Karim Djerbi	....	third assistant director: Czech Republic (unknown episodes)
Gábor Gajdos	....	first assistant director: Hungary (unknown episodes)
Mario Luraschi	....	second unit director (unknown episodes)
Frantisek Rezek	....	second assistant director (unknown episodes)
Dénes Sajgál	....	first assistant director: second unit, Hungary (unknown episodes)
Dominique Talmon	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)
Andrea Taschler	....	third assistant director: Hungary (unknown episodes)
Tamás Vass	....	third assistant director: Hungary (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Clément Gerbaud	....	storyboard (4 episodes, 2002)
Stanislav Luksan	....	assistant property master (4 episodes, 2002)
Emmanuelle Roy	....	assistant art director (unknown episodes, 2002)
Béla Tollay	....	props assistant (unknown episodes, 2002)
Mirka Valova	....	art department interpreter (unknown episodes, 2002)
Donald Beaulieu	....	scenic technician (unknown episodes)
Pascal Chatton	....	first assistant decorator (unknown episodes)
Jean-François Corneille	....	set dresser (unknown episodes)
Mónika Esztán	....	assistant production designer (unknown episodes)
Sylvie Fennec	....	set dresser (unknown episodes)
Tomas Hais	....	set dresser (unknown episodes)
Radan Kapinos	....	props (unknown episodes)
József Kiss	....	construction manager (unknown episodes)
Jérome Lafargue	....	furniture and accessories supplier (unknown episodes)
Jacques Leguillon	....	set dresser (unknown episodes)
Lenka Pavlakova	....	art department interpreter (unknown episodes)
Réal Proulx	....	set decorator: Canada (unknown episodes)
Patricia Ruelle	....	painter / scenic artist / ... (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Robin Green	....	sound effects editor (4 episodes, 2002)
Frederic Gibert	....	assistant sound supervisor (unknown episodes, 2002)
Laurie McDowell	....	sound effects editor (unknown episodes, 2002)
Justine Angus	....	supervising foley editor (unknown episodes)
Philip Barnes	....	dialogue editor (unknown episodes)
Steve Cook	....	sound supervisor: UK & France (unknown episodes)
Colin Cooper	....	adr mixer / foley mixer (unknown episodes)
Ivan Dumas	....	sound assistant (unknown episodes)
Csaba Erös	....	boom operator: Hungary (unknown episodes)
Susan French	....	adr editor (unknown episodes)
Carl Goetgheluck	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
Max Hoskins	....	supervising sound editor (unknown episodes)
János Köporosy	....	sound mixer: Hungary (unknown episodes)
Claude La Haye	....	production sound mixer / sound mixer: Hungary, Morocco, Canada (unknown episodes)
Richard Lewis	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
Peter Murphy	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)
Louis Piche	....	boom operator: Hungary, Canada (unknown episodes)
Simon Price	....	adr editor (unknown episodes)
Szabolcs Stella	....	boom operator: Hungary (unknown episodes)
Trevor Swanscott	....	additional foley editor (unknown episodes)
Lauren Ana Walker	....	sound effects editor (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Louis Craig	....	special effects supervisor (unknown episodes)
Jacques Godbout	....	special effects (unknown episodes)
Ferenc Hábetler	....	pyrotechnics supervisor (unknown episodes)
Eric-André Paquin	....	motion control technician / special effects technician (unknown episodes)
László Pintér	....	pyrotechnician (unknown episodes)
Péter Pozsonyi	....	special effects crew (unknown episodes)
Pierre Riverin	....	special effects technician: Canada (unknown episodes)
Sebastien Roussel	....	special effects (unknown episodes)
Ryan Storm	....	special effects technician (unknown episodes)
Attila Török	....	pyrotechnician (unknown episodes)
Ferenc Török	....	pyrotechnics supervisor (unknown episodes)
Antonio Vidosa	....	special effects foreman: Canada (unknown episodes)
Jirí Vojtech	....	special effects technician (unknown episodes)
Attila Vásári	....	pyrotechnician (unknown episodes)
Martin Williams	....	special effects technician (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Romain Bayle	....	digital artist / matte painter (unknown episodes)
Sébastien Bergeron	....	visual effects production supervisor (unknown episodes)
Benoit Blouin	....	digital effects artist (unknown episodes)
Xavier Bourque	....	digital compositor: Hybride Technologies (unknown episodes)
Marc Cote	....	motion control operator (unknown episodes)
Michael Cozens	....	animator (unknown episodes)
Anouk Deveault-Moreau	....	visual effects coordinator: Hybride (unknown episodes)
Mathieu Dupuis	....	digital compositor: Hybride (unknown episodes)
Thierry Fortier	....	digital artist (unknown episodes)
Balázs Harmati	....	motion control assistant (unknown episodes)
Timothy Heys-Cerchio	....	motion control operator: Hungary (unknown episodes)
Joseph Kasparian	....	lighting artist / senior textures (unknown episodes)
Nicolas Langlois-Demers	....	technical director: 3D character setup, Hybride (unknown episodes)
Jean Lapointe	....	digital compositor: Hybride (unknown episodes)
May Leung	....	digital effects animator: Hybride (unknown episodes)
Jonathan Paquin	....	3D artist: Hybride (unknown episodes)
Sean Stranks	....	digital compositor: Hybride (unknown episodes)
Jessy Veilleux	....	matte painter (unknown episodes)
Yanick Wilisky	....	computer graphics supervisor (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Sándor Boros	....	stunt rider (4 episodes, 2002)
Stéphane Bourquin	....	stunts (4 episodes, 2002)
William Chatel	....	stunts (4 episodes, 2002)
Pascal Chemel	....	stunts (4 episodes, 2002)
François Claudin	....	stunts (4 episodes, 2002)
Patrice Cossoneau	....	stunts (4 episodes, 2002)
Hugues Dalmagro	....	stunts (4 episodes, 2002)
David Doucinot	....	stunts (4 episodes, 2002)
Cedric Gary	....	stunts (4 episodes, 2002)
Péter Katona	....	assistant stunt coordinator / stunt performer / ... (4 episodes, 2002)
Mario Luraschi	....	stunt coordinator (4 episodes, 2002)
Pascal Madura	....	stunts (4 episodes, 2002)
Eric Tonetto	....	stunts (4 episodes, 2002)
Ferenc Berecz	....	stunts (unknown episodes, 2002)
László Imre	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Levente Lezsák	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Domonkos Pardanyi	....	stunt performer (unknown episodes)
Béla Unger	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Olivier Abelé	....	grip (4 episodes, 2002)
Stéphane Afchain	....	grip (4 episodes, 2002)
Kriz David	....	electrician (4 episodes, 2002)
Michal Houzvicka	....	grip (4 episodes, 2002)
Andre Chemetoff	....	video assist operator (unknown episodes, 2002)
Christian Abomnes	....	first assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Bernard Arseneau	....	gaffer: Montreal (unknown episodes)
Csaba Bankhardt	....	dolly grip: Hungary (unknown episodes)
Pierre Beaulieu	....	electrician (unknown episodes)
László Bille	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Arnaud Borrel	....	still photographer (unknown episodes)
Vincent Buron	....	first assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Stéphane Caron	....	first assistant camera: motion control (unknown episodes)
François Daignault	....	Steadicam operator / camera operator (unknown episodes)
Laurent Denis	....	still photographer (unknown episodes)
Sylvaine Dufaux	....	camera operator: "a" camera (unknown episodes)
István Gottmann	....	assistant camera: Hungary (unknown episodes)
Serge Grenier	....	key grip (unknown episodes)
Martin Grosup	....	director of photography: second unit (unknown episodes)
György Horváth	....	camera loader (unknown episodes)
Ladislav Hruby	....	first assistant camera: second unit (unknown episodes)
Lukas Jaromersky	....	rigging electrician (unknown episodes)
Milan Jirsa	....	gaffer: Czech Republic (unknown episodes)
Károly Kamerda	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Malek Krimed	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Estelle Marcoux	....	trainee camera: Montréal (unknown episodes)
Andréane Melançon	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera, France (unknown episodes)
Valentin Monge	....	Steadicam operator (unknown episodes)
Christian Navennec	....	first assistant camera: Canada (unknown episodes)
Csaba Nemesházi	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Zoltán Pataki	....	video technician (unknown episodes)
Dany Racine	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera (unknown episodes)
Marci Ragályi	....	focus puller (unknown episodes)
Vincent Richard	....	second assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Neil Robertson	....	first assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Jocelyn Simard	....	second assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Péter Rácz Tiger	....	video assist operator (unknown episodes)
Dirk Van Rampelbergh	....	gaffer (unknown episodes)
Petr Zavrel	....	central loader (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Szabolcs Lang	....	extras coordinator: Hungary (4 episodes, 2002)
Yann Mari Faget	....	casting assistant: Morocco (unknown episodes)
Tamás Kertész	....	extras casting (unknown episodes)
Cornelia von Braun	....	casting: Germany (unknown episodes)
Tomas Zelenka	....	casting: Czech Republic (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lisa Arnsby	....	wardrobe supervisor (4 episodes, 2002)
Nathalie Chesnais	....	costume supervisor / key costumer (unknown episodes)
Miroslav Fantys	....	assistant to wardrobe supervisor (unknown episodes)
Vera Mirová	....	wardrobe master (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Tracie Gemmel	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)
Guillaume Saint-Aubin-Seers	....	on-line editor (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Paul Lavergne	....	music coproducer (4 episodes, 2002)
Marc Ouellette	....	orchestrator (2 episodes, 2002)

Series Transportation Department
Roman Jedlicka	....	driver (unknown episodes, 2002)
Richard Chabot	....	driver (unknown episodes)
Zoltán Fohn	....	driver (unknown episodes)
Silvie Janculová	....	unit transportation coordinator (unknown episodes)
Claudia Kossik	....	transportation captain (unknown episodes)
Andrée Roy	....	driver (unknown episodes)
Zsolt Somogyi	....	transportation coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
David Koranda	....	assistant location manager (4 episodes, 2002)
Jirí Hauzner	....	location assistant (unknown episodes, 2002)
Béla Vaszary	....	medical coordinator (unknown episodes, 2002)
Noureddine Aberdine	....	location manager (unknown episodes)
Guy Aumond	....	production accountant (unknown episodes)
Bernadett Baló	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Emilie Barbault	....	script supervisor: second unit (unknown episodes)
Jacqueline Benloulou	....	production administrator (unknown episodes)
Shirine Best	....	development assistant (unknown episodes)
Elizabeth Boom	....	production coordinator: France (unknown episodes)
Élizabeth Boorn	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Ruth Charest	....	coordinator (unknown episodes)
Christophe Chauveau	....	location scout (unknown episodes)
Sylvie François	....	production coordinator: France (unknown episodes)
Jacqueline Gamard	....	script supervisor (unknown episodes)
Julie Garceau	....	computer playback operator (unknown episodes)
Mel Hider	....	assistant: Mr. Cowan and Mr. Piette (unknown episodes)
Richard Hyland	....	production accountant: UK (unknown episodes)
Lucile Joly	....	assistant to producer (unknown episodes)
Vernice Klier	....	dialogue coach (unknown episodes)
Balázs Kovács	....	extras coordinator (unknown episodes)
Éva Kovács	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Emily Kyriakides	....	assistant to producer (unknown episodes)
Walter Ludwig	....	locations department: Austria (unknown episodes)
Gabriela Rezacova	....	catering interpreter (unknown episodes)
Lenka Rock	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Adrien Scolan	....	runner (unknown episodes)
Lucy Shuttleworth	....	development executive (unknown episodes)
Doug Smith	....	electronic press kit (unknown episodes)
Sylvie Talbot	....	title designer (unknown episodes)
Benoit Thériault	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Gábor Ujházy	....	location manager (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• A&E Television Networks
• ASP Productions
• GMT Productions
• Great British Films
• Kekchi Films Productions
• KirchMedia
• MA Films
• Okko Productions
• Spice Factory
• Transfilm
• Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF)

Distributors

• RTL Klub Televízió (2003) (Hungary) (TV)
• A&E Television Networks
• Beta Film (international)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2010) (Germany) (DVD)
• Teleview International (2002) (Lebanon) (TV) (Middle East)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2010) (Australia) (DVD)
• Versátil Home Vídeo (2009) (Brazil) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Camera e-Motion (motion control)
• Hybride Technologies (visual effects)
• Intrigue

Other Companies

• Camera e-Motion  motion control
• Gearbox Sound and Vision  Avid AudioVision systems supplied by
• Gearbox Sound and Vision  additional ProTools systems supplied by

Also Known As:

"Napoleon" - Europe (English title)

Runtime:

357 min (4 parts) | 380 min (DVD edition)

Country:

France | Germany | Italy | Canada | USA | UK | Hungary | Spain | Czech Republic

Language:

French | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | UK:15 | Spain:13 | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Agadir, Morocco

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Trivia:

In July 2003 dollars, the film costs $46,330,000 to make.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Napoleon is with Eleanore Denuelle and his son to say goodbye, his hair is parted on his left side. When he leaves and turns around at the door, Napoleon's hair is parted on his right side.

Quotes:

Napoléon:[regarding his coronation as Emperor] I intend to crown myself.
Pope Pius VII:Then why am I here?
Napoléon:To bless my reign.
Pope Pius VII:Now, who exactly are you asking to bless your reign, Sire? Almighty God? Or his humble deputy on Earth, the Pope?
Napoléon:Humble? Is that the word you use to describe the thunder of organ music, clouds of incense, altars full of flowers, robes trimmed with gold?
Pope Pius VII:You confuse God with religion.
Napoléon:On the contrary, I separate them. On the one hand, a theory: God. On the other, a certitude: religion. It gives human society a framework. People would have no reference points without religion, we saw the results of that, when during the Revolution the churches were looted and the priests guillotined. The country toppled into anarchy, chaos, and madness of the Reign of Terror. We can do without God, but not without religion.
Pope Pius VII:Do without God? Can you live without faith in the immortality of your soul? Without belief in the everlasting life?
Napoléon:If you have ever been in a battlefield, you would not believe in God, either.
Pope Pius VII:But I spend all my days and all my nights on a battlefield, Sire! The whole world is a battlefield! And every man who suffers is a terrible defeat for me. Place the crown on your own brow if that is what you wish. I will pray it does not become too heavy for you to bear.
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Le souper (1992)

Soundtrack:

La Mort de Napoleon (The Death of Napoleon)

Well, at least it's accurate!

I admit I found it a little hard to stomach Christian Clavier (Jacquouille la Fripouille from « Les Visiteurs » and Astérix from the Astérix films) as Napoléon, especially when that role has been interpreted in English by the likes of Marlon Brando, Charles Boyer, Herbert Lom and Rod Steiger and in French, by the likes of Albert Dieudonné, Daniel Gélin, Sacha Guitry, Raymond Pellegrin and Jean-Louis Barrault. Because of all those famous precedents, one has come to expect in the role a kind of forceful but graceful personality. Clavier plays him a little bit on the educated warthog side, but that's OK because so did Marlon Brando.

IMDb users seem to hate this TV movie for all the wrong reasons. It can't be faulted for historical accuracy. There is every indication that almost every single word spoken in this script was actually said by the protagonists. And here is at least one English-language movie that doesn't show Napoléon's soldiers taking aim at the Sphinx's nose for target practice (an English myth). The sets and costumes are magnificent. The action is a little simplified for my taste but it allows the viewer a more unencumbered comprehension of the timeline. I have seen many French movies that naturally expect their French audience to know all the dates and the battles by heart and take it from there, so to speak. I am sure that the DVD version, which is longer, will reconcile many critics with scenes that seemed a little too short on TV.

I only noticed two major goofs in the whole four hours. John Malkovitch seems to think he is too great an actor to accept suggestions as to the pronunciation of French names, either from his co-stars or from a French coach, which must be responsible for his coasting through every possible phonetic permutation of the words 'Duc d'Enghien' in the course of an hour, some of them successful. Also, the same character warns Joséphine not to go to Poland before Napoléon has even met Marie Waleska, which is mysterious indeed. Did he actually know they would meet and fall in love?

But, all in all, it is a magnificent effort in a TV series, one that is not without its artistic and poetic merits.