Rating a Film can be difficult and conflicting if you care deeply about films, and aspects such as historical accuracy, action, philosophy and ability to engage.
I acknowledge that there are plenty of (some glaring and brazen) historical inaccuracies here*. And as a lover of history/war history, this is not ideal. Although artistic liberties for dramatic effect have worked at points to make the film very engaging e.g. At the Battle of Austerlitz, not to give too much detail away.
*But as Scott Ridley says- 'How the f would you know? You weren't there!!'
The battle scenes are phenomenal and intense, and they do captivate you from start to finish. They are the highlight of the movie for me.
They do help you to appreciate the staggering scale of Napoleon's ambition and impact on Europe and its people.
But condensing Napoleon's life into one movie is as ambitious as the man himself, and it does feel too rushed. There is just not enough context and explanation given for his campaigns.
Napoleon is hardly flattered or glorified, and portrayed as often unstable, erratic and fragile. Though many French people loathe this, I appreciate it because it reminds us that he is human. And you can't gloss over the fact that his wars have resulted in 100's of thousands of deaths. We don't think about Napoleonic soldiers in the same way that we sympathise with those of WW1 and WW2, but they were no less human.
Perhaps the worst thing is the amount of time showing the complicated and strange romance between Napoleon and Josephine, which I personally almost couldn't care less about. Though it showed a human side to Napoleon that most probably have never thought about. But there is simply too much of it - why?? It is boring and better cut down.
I acknowledge that there are plenty of (some glaring and brazen) historical inaccuracies here*. And as a lover of history/war history, this is not ideal. Although artistic liberties for dramatic effect have worked at points to make the film very engaging e.g. At the Battle of Austerlitz, not to give too much detail away.
*But as Scott Ridley says- 'How the f would you know? You weren't there!!'
The battle scenes are phenomenal and intense, and they do captivate you from start to finish. They are the highlight of the movie for me.
They do help you to appreciate the staggering scale of Napoleon's ambition and impact on Europe and its people.
But condensing Napoleon's life into one movie is as ambitious as the man himself, and it does feel too rushed. There is just not enough context and explanation given for his campaigns.
Napoleon is hardly flattered or glorified, and portrayed as often unstable, erratic and fragile. Though many French people loathe this, I appreciate it because it reminds us that he is human. And you can't gloss over the fact that his wars have resulted in 100's of thousands of deaths. We don't think about Napoleonic soldiers in the same way that we sympathise with those of WW1 and WW2, but they were no less human.
Perhaps the worst thing is the amount of time showing the complicated and strange romance between Napoleon and Josephine, which I personally almost couldn't care less about. Though it showed a human side to Napoleon that most probably have never thought about. But there is simply too much of it - why?? It is boring and better cut down.
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