An unparalleled war epic is now set to conquer cinemas: general Napoleon (Joaquin Phoenix) makes his way to the throne in six battles for Ridley Scott
Everyone who went to school in Germany knows the name Napoleon. But how much do we really know about his victories as a general or his relationship with Empress Josephine? Ridley Scott is now bringing the story of the French ruler to life on the big screen, before a longer version of the war spectacle with Joaquin Phoenix is released later on streaming.
At the movies: Napoleon’s rise is traced in six battles in the war epic
The rise of the ambitious strategist Napoleon follows a rocky path in Ridley Scott’s historical action film: Napoleon Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix) gains influence after the French Revolution in 1799 and reaches for power.
Napoleon’s career is linked to six major battles, all of which are recounted in the film, with names such as Austerlitz and Waterloo being familiar to many. At the same time, the dependent relationship with his seductive partner Josephine (Vanessa Kirby) shapes Napoleon’s self-image and actions.
The first reviews of Napoleon already praised the historical film for the successful staging of the battles. What might come as a surprise, however, is the observation by critics that the war epic also has humor – especially when we follow Napoleon into the bedroom.
(Napoleon with Joaquin Phoenix)
The fact that Ridley Scott insulted an entire country for Napoleon and also shot down criticism of historical inaccuracy somehow fits in with the massive project.
More: Everything you need to know about the movie Napoleon at a glance
When will Napoleon be released in cinemas and why are there 2 versions of the war film?
Napoleon celebrates its theatrical release on November 23, 2023. On the big screen, Ridley Scott’s story unfolds in 158 minutes, or 2 hours and 38 minutes. However, as the war epic was produced by Apple Studios, there will also be a longer 250-minute version later on AppleTV+. However, the exact start of this more than 4-hour version is not yet known.
For home cinema: The greatest war movie ever is available on Blu-ray for the first time
