I finally went to see Napoleon last night with Mrs S and
my daughter and can report that despite my low expectations I rather enjoyed
it. I knew in advance that it was going to be full of historical inaccuracies,
but I have to say that the photography, costumes, and overall atmosphere was
excellent. My companions enjoyed it too even though their knowledge of the
subject matter was pretty thin (actually that probably helped).
I came away not entirely sure what Ridley Scott was
trying to do. I read that he has had a lifelong fascination with Napoleon so
clearly must have read some of the actual history and probably the military history
too. It seemed to me that with the battle scenes he was going for a sort of
Game of Thrones effect with lots of tents, flags, snow and individuals rushing
around, only the White Walkers were missing. Napoleon himself came over as a
bit of a loner (and rather stupid according to Mrs S) with no hint of the
charisma he clearly must have had in real life.
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| Not tonight, but thanks for asking. |
I did manage to sit through most of the battle scenes
without hyperventilating at the strange interpretation of events, but I had to
give up at the portrayal of Waterloo. Even Mrs S (who has walked the field) did
lean over and ask me if they really had trenches and what had happened to Hougoumont?
I did actually start sniggering as the French lads went over the top and Wellington
told his infantry to prepare to receive cavalry by rushing forward in line,
although to be fair the squares they eventually formed were probably better done
than those by Bondarchuk. The Prussians arriving on the British right flank was
a nice touch too.
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| "Charge!" If you want a job done properly... |
Despite all that I did enjoy it as a cinematic experience
and all three of us loved the comic ending when Napoleon fell off his perch.
