Napoleon (2023) – Grand yet underwhelming

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix. Vanessa Kirby. Rupert Everett. Tahar Rahim.

Genre: Biography and War Drama

Platform: Theatrical release

Duration: 2 Hours 38 minutes

Ridley Scott’s range of film subjects is enormous. His genres include almost all types of films. Some of his most famous films include Blade Runner and The Martian (Science fiction), Blackhawk Down (war), Black Rain(thriller), Body of Lies (spy thrillers), historical (Gladiator, 1492 Conquest of Paradise) and many more. Such a profusion of genres obviously means that Scott is an absolute Master of the medium and the images from the screen leap out and pull us in to tell the story. 

If Hitler and Stalin defined what became 20th-century Europe before and after World War 2, Napoleon more or less shaped 19th-century Europe. As a historical figure, it is impossible to ignore him as the map of Europe changed time and again during his reign as Emperor / Dictator/ Ruler. The French can’t wish or wash him out of his history as he stood for everything opposite to the French Revolution philosophy of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. The European nations he conquered include today’s Germany, Austria, Spain, Poland, East European Countries and parts of Russia He also expanded his conquests to North Africa including Egypt.

His campaigns are still studied and resulted in one of the most famous military books written by an officer from one of his “conquered territories”. Carl von Clausewitz’s study “On War”, is still studied in military colleges and arrived at many of the maxims, after examining the Napoleonic campaigns in detail (obliquely referred to in the film when Bonaparte says “I understand that one of your subjects is studying my battles and campaigns” – a rather neat touch).

So! What about Napoleon the man? What possessed him to conquer the various territories? Was it ego? Stature? Economics? Was he short as the paintings make him out to be or taller in height as in this film? What about his tempestuous love affair with his wife Josephine? What about his various mistresses? his imperious behaviour?

The film starts with Marie Antoinette’s guillotining, the peak of the French Revolution. This is followed by Robespierre and his reign of terror. In the meantime, the British capture Toulon harbour. A young artillery Captain, Napoleon Bonaparte, promises and captures the fort overlooking the harbour, thus forcing the British ships to flee or be sunk by their own guns. Napleon’s rise begins. He soon meets and marries Josephine. Intrigues follow, by which a coup proclaims Bonaparte as pro-consul. He is more or less the absolute master of France but seeks horizons beyond. The list of conquests begins, while Josephine takes on lovers. On his return, he is incensed at her for having an affair but, manages to calm himself. The lack of an heir keeps worrying him. With Austria seeking an alliance with Russia, Bonaparte invades and decisively defeats the Austrians at Austerlitz. The list of conquests and the lands increase. He meets the Russians at the battle of Borordino in 1812 (the number being the inspiration for the famous Tchaikovsky Symphony). The retreating Russians set Moscow on fire, following their scorched earth policy of leaving nothing of use for the invading enemy (this will be repeated in Hitler’s invasion of Russia). The crippling Russian winter decimates his Army and he returns back to France to be exiled to Elba. He sneaks back into France and turns the Army in his favour, taking them to a small place called Waterloo where he meets his final defeat. Following his defeat he is exiled to St Helena and dies there.

That’s the arc of the film’s script. On the surface, this seems like a war movie. However the script keeps meandering again and again to his love for Josephine, with whom he was besotted and whom he declared to be his one true love. The script spends considerable time on this aspect and almost seems like a romantic drama set against the backdrop of 19th-century France. From time to time, the battle scenes intervene, giving us an idea of what Bonaparte was as a military man. The film becomes dull by giving more weightage to the romance and less to the conquests. There is confusion on what aspect of Napoleon’s life to focus on – his romance or his military prowess. 

This is not the first time that Ridley Scott has been in “Napoleonic territories”. His first film, the superb lushly mounted “The Duellists (1977)” was set against the background of the entire Napoleonic march towards Moscow and back where the two protagonists fought a senseless duel with each other while France was shaken by the upheaval of the Russian campaign. In a way, The Duellists can be a “substory” of this film. (I would strongly advocate watching it for it’s simple story and superb photography).

So what’s wrong with the film? Simple. Joaquin Phoenix. For someone who is supposed to play a tyrant, the usually superb Phoenix seems to be sleepwalking through his role with a somewhat smug expression. The net effect is that Napoleon comes across as a bored smug man who stumbles onto good luck and conquers Europe. There is no description of any motivation or driving force except the famous one of Napoleon taking the crown from the priest and placing it on his head. That scene comes across more as a spectacular coronation than a megalomania display. 

Which brings us to the visuals. The period uniforms, and costumes. Lighting (mostly with candles), sets, production design, arms and ammunition are all absolutely gorgeous. The battle scenes are done brilliantly, especially that of Austerlitz, where the attacking Austrians are mercilessly massacred, with many drowning in the frozen river. The Waterloo battle is also brilliantly shot, especially the  British “square defensive pattern” which the French are unable to break . There is mention of  Battle of Nile and Battle of Trafalgar, the two naval engagements, both led by Nelson, with decisive victories. The visual effects are superb with the CGI being indistinguishable from reality.

But these visual effects are the means to an end – telling the story of the man who crowned himself Emperor! And this is where Scott’s absolute command of the medium shows, even if we have to contend with an underwhelming performance from Phoenix. As Josephine, Vanessa Kirby has a range of emotions and comes across as a far more believable character. 

In sum, in the visually superb film, Napoleon comes across as a soft “loving” person. If that were so, he wouldn’t have conquered almost half of Europe

Real history/background – 4 out of 5

Script – 3 out of 5

Direction – 4 out of 5

Photography – 4 out of 5

 Total – 3.8 out of 5