'Napoleon'

Review

Napoleon
DVD TV mini-series (2002)

"Charles Talleyrand, you're shit. You're shit in a silk stocking."

Napoleon is an epic tragedy, like Macbeth or The Untouchables. It's the downfall of a lovable tyrant, the little general who wanted to spread freedom and liberty to Europe.

The dramatic moments in the film are as deliberate and passionate as the orchestral score, swelling at precisely the right time, lending a humanity to the self-crowned emperor.

Christian Clavier plays a fantastic Napoleon, a surprise for me as I'd only even seen him in comic roles (Les Visiteurs and Asterix and Obelix). He captured the eccentricity and uncompromising attitude that comes with being a world leader, and his slightly crazed crooked smile gives him an endearing quality, in that Clavier way.

It doesn't dwell on the battle scenes yet isn't all court room/banquet scenes either. Portrayed in a favoured light, Napoleon is a great watch. I would highly recommend it. I just love some of the quotes and things he tells people. Nice to watch Malkovich as yet another conniving bastard too. Hehe.