There are certain historical figures whose legacies are so great that they remain famous centuries after their death. Because of the lasting mark they left on the world, such people are frequently depicted in movies, television shows, and stage productions, even if half the times it’s in parody. At some point, you would think that there is nothing more to be said about a single person. However, Hollywood is unlikely to come to that conclusion anytime soon.
One of the most famous, or perhaps I should say infamous, historical figures of modern history is Napoleon Bonaparte. His military conquests changed the course of European history. His romantic adventures are the subject of much speculation. People joke about his stature, his exile, and even his pose with his hand in his coat. His legacy is ambiguous, since he isn’t generally regarded as either a hero or a villain. As one of the most controversial figures of his day, it’s no surprise that movies are still being made about him.
Most recently, Joaquin Phoenix embodied the Corsican emperor in Ridley Scott’s epic historical drama “Napoleon,” which was in theaters on Thanksgiving weekend of 2023. This Apple Original film has received mixed reviews and stirred up some international conflict, proving that some people can hold a grudge about politics for a very long time!
The Latest
“Napoleon” was released in theaters around the world on Nov. 22, 2023, having previously had its premiere on Nov. 14, in Paris, France, of course. It was just released on major digital streaming platforms on Jan. 9, 2024. Its release on Apple TV+ is expected in mid-February. The film was directed by Ridley Scott, who also produced it, alongside Kevin J. Walsh, Mark Huffam, and leading man Joaquin Phoenix. It was distributed in theaters by Columbia Pictures through Sony Pictures Releasing and will be released digitally through Apple Original Films on Apple TV+.The story begins during the French Revolution, when a young Napoleon Bonaparte (Phoenix) watches the beheading of Marie Antoinette. During the next few years, the young army officer uses artillery to repel British ships during the Siege of Toulon, storming the city. He also suppresses a Royalist insurrection. Amid his growing military might, Napoleon woos and weds the aristocratic widow Joséphine de Beauharnais. As time passes, his growing frustration with his wife’s inability to bear him an heir and her notorious affairs threatens his career by clouding his judgement. However, as the present French government collapses, Napoleon becomes First Consul of France and eventually Emperor of the French. Meanwhile, he decides to divorce Joséphine because she is barren, but his heart is still bound to hers.
Predictably, Napoleon is rated R “for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and brief language.” With a runtime of 2 hours and 38 minutes, it isn’t surprising that it has been criticized for being too long, bloated, and boring at times. Nevertheless, there is talk of releasing Ridley Scott’s 4 hour and 10 minute director’s cut digitally, so we’ll see whether his extended version of Napoleon’s life story is the one released on Apple TV+ next month. Prominent Napoleonic historian Patrice Gueniffey has observed that the film is “very anti-French and pro-British,” so it’s not surprising that it has received far less favorable reviews from France. Napoleon has been featured as a character in dozens of historical films over the years, but one of the main classic films which focuses on his rise to power is “Désirée” from 1954.
The Greatest
“Désirée” stars Marlon Brando as Napoleon Bonaparte, Jean Simmons as the title character, and Merle Oberon as Joséphine de Beauharnais. Other actors in the cast include Michael Rennie, Cameron Mitchell, and Elizabeth Sellers. This movie was produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It was directed by Henry Koster, and Julian Blaustein was the producer. Daniel Taradash wrote the screenplay, based on Annemarie Selinko’s novel of the same name about the historical figure Désirée Clary. It was released on Nov. 16, 1954. Reviews were mixed, with some critics complaining about a lack of plot and story originality, while others loved everything about it. Critics unanimously praised the production’s beauty, and the film received two Academy Award nominations. Interestingly, this now-obscure movie earned more money than Marlon Brando’s far more famous film from the same year, “On the Waterfront.”Désirée Clary (Simmons) is a young woman from Marseilles who lives with her mother (Isobel Elsom), domineering older brother (Richard Deacon), and her older sister, Julie (Sellars). Désirée invites a young Corsican soldier, Joseph Bonaparte (Mitchell), and his brother, Napoleon (Brando), over to their house. Joseph and Julie feel an immediate attraction, as do Désirée and Napoleon. After Napoleon is briefly imprisoned because of political upheaval, he borrows money from Désirée to go to Paris, but not before becoming engaged to her. After not hearing from him for months, she goes to Paris herself and discovers that he is now betrothed to the aristocratic widow Joséphine (Oberon). She is devastated. After a few years, she is living with Joseph and Julie, who are married, and has become a fashionable lady. She marries French marshal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte (Rennie), and they have a happy life together. However, as Napoleon’s political power grows, he remains fascinated with Désirée.
Both “Napoleon” and “Désirée” are big-budget epics about a larger-than-life historical figure. Although the older film is named after one of Napoleon’s sweethearts rather than the emperor himself, he is equally important in the story, with Brando having received top billing. Both films start right after the French Revolution, with “Napoleon” beginning in 1793 and “Désirée” beginning in 1794. Both films chronicle Napoleon’s rise to power, rule, and eventual fall from the throne. However, “Désirée” ends shortly after the Battle of Waterloo with Napoleon’s exile to St. Helena, while “Napoleon” goes to the end of his life, ending with his death. Understandably, both films focus significantly on Napoleon’s love life, changing some historical details for the sake of romance. While “Napoleon” goes the typical route of romanticizing the title character’s doomed relationship with Joséphine, “Désirée” implies that the title character was the only woman Napoleon ever really loved.
