Pre-Order And Buy This Title On DVD Now By Clicking On The Text Link Below!
Napoleon (TV Miniseries) (Collector's...
Pre-Order And Buy This Title On DVD Now By Clicking On The Text Link Below!
Napoleon (TV Miniseries) (Collector's...
Title: Napoleon
Stars: Christian Clavier,
Isabella Rossellini, Gerard Depardieu, John Malkovich, Guillaume Depardieu,
Julian Sands, and Toby Stephens
Writer:
Didier Decoin
Based on the book
“Napoleon” by: Max Gallo
Producers: Jean-Pierre Guerin
and Gerard Depardieu
Executive Producer: Marc Vade
Director: Yves Simoneau
Running Time: 180 minutes
without commercials
Media: A&E Original
Television Motion Picture (NTSC VHS Screeners)
World Premiere Part One:
Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at 8pm (ET)/7pm (CT)
World Premiere Part Two:
Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at 8pm (ET)/7PM (CT)
Network:
Arts & Entertainment Network (Check your local cable/satellite
listings for channel)
TV Rating: TV-PG
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
Filmed on location in France, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Morocco, Canada, and St. Helene, a cast of 150 actors lead by stars Christian Clavier, Isabella Rossellini, Gerard Depardieu, and John Malkovich were assembled to produce this epic A&E original miniseries based on the book by Max Gallo entitled “Napoleon.” This four-hour miniseries was directed by Yves Simoneau (Nuremberg) and was co-produced by Gerard Depardieu, who also has a small, but important role in the film. Christian Clavier is the Corsican man who would become one of the most powerful men of the 19th century with the Napoleonic Age signaling the birth of his empire in 1800 that later crumbled in 1814. The effects of Napoleon’s legacy continue to this day with law reforms such as the “Napoleonic Code” still the basis for state laws of Louisiana as well as the basis for laws in 70 other governments worldwide. The introduction of a general public education for all regardless of societal stature, and the discovery of the Rosetta Stone are just a few of historical elements that are associated with this controversial figure in history.
The goal of the filmmakers
was to portray a more personal perspective of Napoleon from his early days when
the General had more interest in mathematics than politics through the turmoil
of his personal life and the subsequent intoxication of with absolute power that
ultimately corrupts him and leads to betrayals within his own inner circle.
Napoleon is not portrayed as an angel in this miniseries, but neither is he
portrayed as a monster. I think this might be one of the most courageous
attempts to present the “Emperor” simply as a human being.
All of the performances are quite good in this film, but the standouts in my opinion belong to Christian Clavier who essays his role as if he were born to play it and John Malkovich, who is more than comfortable in his role as French Diplomat “Tallyrand,” a man whose duplicity made him both a man to be admired and feared. Gerard Depardieu appears as “Joseph Fouche,” a historical figure who basically controlled the flow of information to the French Citizens and inventor of the Scientific Police and eventually the KGB. Isabella Rossellini portrays “Josephine” with a combination of sincere love for Napoleon and an heir of tragedy. Guest appearances by Julian Sands and John Wood as Pop Pius VII add greater texture to the miniseries as a whole.
“Napoleon” will premiere
over two nights with part one airing on A&E on Tuesday, April 8, 2003 from 8
to 10pm (ET)/7 to 9pm (CT) and part two airing on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 from
8 to 10pm (ET)/7 to 9pm (CT). Then on April 10, 2003 at 8pm (ET)/7pm (CT)
A&E will air an all new biography exploring another of history’s complex
characters, “Marie Antoinette,” which lends some historical subtext for the
miniseries that precedes it. Encore presentations for each part of
“Napoleon” will follow right after each premiere respectively and the
miniseries will then air as a whole on April 18, 2003 from 8pm –12 midnight
(ET)/7-11pm (CT); April 20, 2003 from 12 noon-4pm (ET)/ 11-3pm (CT); and April
26, 2003 from 12 noon-4pm/11-3pm (CT). Then the miniseries will premiere with
additional footage on DVD on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 as a 3-Disc Set priced to
collect with a suggested retail price of $49.95 and featuring 150 minutes of
bonus material including a two-hour documentary, “Napoleon And Willington”
A&E Biography Episode, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and more. The film
was shot simultaneously in both English and French, but there it is unknown if
the French Language version will be included or if there will be a French
Language audio option for the DVD release.
A beautiful spectacle rarely
seen on TV, “Napoleon” is a miniseries not to be missed.
© Copyright 2003 By Mark A.
Rivera
All Rights Reserved.
Pre-Order And Buy This Title On DVD Now By Clicking On The
Text Link Below!
Napoleon (TV Miniseries) (Collector's...