Following the completion of his film The Last Duel in October 2020, Scott announced Napoleon as his next project, with Phoenix cast in the titular role. Following delays and recastings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including Kirby replacing Jodie Comer, filming began in February 2022 in England, lasting several months. In addition to writer David Scarpa, frequent Scott collaborators included cinematographer Dariusz Wolski and editor Claire Simpson.
Napoleon premiered at Salle Pleyel in Paris on November 14, 2023, and was released in the United States and the United Kingdom on November 22, 2023, by Columbia Pictures and Apple Original Films, through Sony Pictures Releasing, before streaming on Apple TV+ at a later date. The film has grossed $136 million worldwide and received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the battle sequences and performances, though it was criticized for its historical inaccuracies; reviews by French critics were mostly negative.
In 1793, amid the French Revolution, young army officer Napoleon Bonaparte watches Queen Marie Antoinette beheaded by the guillotine. Later that year, Revolutionary leader Paul Barras has Napoleon manage the Siege of Toulon; he successfully storms the city and repels the British ships with artillery. After Maximilien Robespierre is deposed and executed at the end of the Reign of Terror, French leaders, including Napoleon, attempt to restore stability. Again employing artillery, Napoleon suppresses the royalist insurrection on 13 Vendémiaire in 1795.
Napoleon woos aristocratic widow Joséphine de Beauharnais and the two eventually marry. Despite their vigorous sex life, they bear no children. In Egypt, he prevails again at the Battle of the Pyramids in 1798, but rushes home when he hears Joséphine has an almost 10-year younger lover, Hippolyte Charles. The Directory criticises him for abandoning his troops, but he condemns them for their poor leadership of France and, alongside several collaborators such as Talleyrand, Fouché, Sieyès and Ducos, overthrows them in a coup and becomes First Consul.
Napoleon is crownedEmperor of the French by the pope in 1804, during which he audaciously puts the crown on his own head. Foreign Minister Talleyrand suggests to Austria an alliance, though the Austrians dismiss the idea. A year later, Napoleon outmanoeuvres and defeats the Austrians and Russians at the Battle of Austerlitz, forcing them to retreat over frozen lakes before bombarding the ice and drowning them. Afterwards, he invites Austrian Emperor Francis II for wine—which Russian Tsar Alexander I declines to attend—and tells Francis that since he did not totally destroy their armies, he expects the latter to be grateful.
Napoleon's mother has him impregnate a mistress, proving that Joséphine is infertile. He divorces her in 1810, publicly slapping her in the face when she initially refuses to read her portion of the decree, but the two remain on good terms and continue exchanging friendly letters. Napoleon marries Marie Louise of Austria, who bears a son one year later.
In 1812, Napoleon invades Russia after Alexander reneges on a peace treaty with France. He prevails, despite bloody guerrilla resistance by Cossack forces, at the Battle of Borodino, but finds Moscow empty and later set aflame. Napoleon retreats during the winter to France, having lost about half a million men. In 1814, the Coalition force Napoleon's abdication and exile him to Elba.
In 1815, upon hearing that Joséphine is unwell, Napoleon escapes the island and returns to power in France. She, having been forced into reclusion at the Château de Malmaison, dies before he arrives. King Louis XVIII sends the Fifth Regiment to stop Napoleon, but he charms them into joining him.
At the Battle of Waterloo in June, Napoleon, having amassed more troops, confronts the British army under the Duke of Wellington. French cavalry charges are repulsed by British infantry squares, and a desperate Napoleon urges his remaining soldiers forward, but this advance is decimated by re-formed lines of enemy infantry. The forces of PrussianMarshal Blücher arrive to reinforce Wellington, and the French are broken. As Napoleon retreats, he salutes Wellington.
Napoleon is exiled, this time to the island of Saint Helena in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and is seen bantering with children, writing his memoirs that would become a worldwide best-seller, and presenting to his listeners a version of history where he is always right.
Napoleon dies in 1821, hearing Joséphine beckon him to meet her again. An epilogue notes that roughly 3 million people died in his wars.
What does I abdication mean?
: to renounce a throne, high office, dignity, or function. The king was forced to abdicate. transitive verb. 1. : to relinquish (something, such as sovereign power) formally.Nov 23, 2023
Abdicate Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster "退位" 是指放弃王位、高级职务、尊严或职能的行为。这可能包括国王、皇帝等高级领导人正式宣布放弃其统治地位。例如，国王被迫退位，或者某人正式宣布放弃（某种主权）等。
e.g.,
Why did king Edward abdicate?
Abdication of Edward VIII 1936 - The National Archives
Edward VIII became king following the death of his father, George V. He abdicated the throne in order to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson and became known as the Duke of Windsor. Fort Belvedere is a house situated in Windsor Great Park in Surrey where Edward lived as Prince of Wales.
TJKCB 发表评论于
map Waterloo? nearbor nations?
ChatGPT
The Battle of Waterloo took place near the town of Waterloo in present-day Belgium. Here's a brief overview of the location and neighboring nations:
Location:
Waterloo: A town in present-day Belgium, located about 15 kilometers south of Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
Neighboring Nations:
Belgium: Waterloo is situated within the borders of present-day Belgium.
France: France is located to the southwest of Waterloo, and the battle involved the French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte.
Netherlands: To the north of Waterloo is the neighboring country of the Netherlands. The location is historically significant as it was part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands after the Napoleonic Wars.
The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, 1815, marked the culmination of the Napoleonic Wars and the end of Napoleon's rule as Emperor of the French. The coalition forces, primarily British and Allied troops under the command of the Duke of Wellington, faced Napoleon's French forces. The battle had a significant impact on European history, leading to Napoleon's second abdication and his exile to the island of Saint Helena.
TJKCB 发表评论于
aristocrats betray him?
ChatGPT
Napoleon Bonaparte faced challenges and betrayals from various quarters, including some individuals within the aristocracy. The circumstances leading to Napoleon's downfall involved complex political dynamics and shifting allegiances. Here are some key aspects:
Political Opposition:
After Napoleon's return to power during the Hundred Days in 1815, following his escape from exile on the island of Elba, European monarchies and aristocracies formed a coalition against him. The Congress of Vienna aimed to restore conservative order and curb revolutionary ideals.
Shift in Allegiances:
Some members of the French aristocracy, who had initially supported Napoleon during his rise to power, shifted allegiances based on changing circumstances. The restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in the form of Louis XVIII during Napoleon's exile weakened support for the emperor among certain aristocrats.
Louis XVIII's Policies:
Louis XVIII, who returned to the French throne after Napoleon's first abdication in 1814, implemented policies that sought to reconcile with the aristocracy and undo some of the revolutionary changes brought about by Napoleon. This contributed to divisions within French society.
Political and Military Betrayals:
Napoleon faced betrayals from both political and military figures. Some marshals and commanders who had previously served under him switched sides during the Hundred Days. Notably, Marshal Ney's actions during the Battle of Waterloo have been a subject of debate, with accusations of both loyalty and betrayal.
Treaty of Fontainebleau:
After the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's second abdication in 1815, he sought refuge in the hope of negotiating an honorable exile. The Treaty of Fontainebleau granted him sovereignty over the island of Elba, but it was clear that certain European powers were not willing to let him live in peace.
Exile to Saint Helena:
The final betrayal came when Napoleon was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic. The British government, under the orders of the allies, decided to send him to a place far from Europe to prevent any possibility of his return.
While some individuals within the aristocracy remained loyal to Napoleon, the broader political landscape and the desire to restore traditional monarchical rule led to a complex web of betrayals and shifting loyalties that contributed to his ultimate defeat and exile.
TJKCB 发表评论于
Why did Napoleon fail in the Waterloo War?
ChatGPT
Napoleon Bonaparte's failure at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 can be attributed to several factors:
Miscalculations and Delay:
Napoleon made a critical error by delaying the start of the battle until midday, allowing the ground to dry after heavy rainfall. This delay gave the Prussian army, led by Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, more time to regroup and join forces with the Duke of Wellington.
Wellington's Defensive Tactics:
The Duke of Wellington, leading the Anglo-Allied army, skillfully chose a defensive position on the high ground of Mont Saint-Jean. This defensive stance nullified Napoleon's traditional offensive strategies, and Wellington's troops were able to repel repeated French attacks.
Blücher's Timely Arrival:
The timely arrival of the Prussian army was a pivotal factor. Blücher's forces, initially defeated at the Battle of Ligny two days before, regrouped and marched to support Wellington at Waterloo. The combined Anglo-Prussian force became a decisive factor against Napoleon.
Failure of the Grand Battery:
Napoleon's artillery, known as the Grand Battery, failed to make a significant impact due to the soggy ground conditions. The cannons could not maneuver effectively, and the artillery barrage did not have the intended devastating effect on the Allied lines.
Communication Issues:
Poor communication between Napoleon and Marshal Ney, one of his key commanders, resulted in the ill-fated cavalry charges against the well-prepared British infantry squares. These charges proved ineffective and exposed the French cavalry to devastating musket fire.
Exhausted Troops:
Many of Napoleon's troops were exhausted from the rapid march to reach the battlefield. The French army had already fought several campaigns, and the soldiers were fatigued, affecting their combat effectiveness.
Logistical Challenges:
Napoleon faced logistical challenges, including shortages of supplies and the inability to fully coordinate and supply his forces during the battle.
Strategic Errors:
Napoleon's strategic decisions during the battle, such as dividing his forces and focusing on Wellington's center rather than exploiting weaknesses in the Allied flanks, were ultimately detrimental to the French cause.
Personal Health:
Napoleon was not in the best physical condition during the battle. He suffered from health issues, including hemorrhoids and possibly a recurrence of the stomach ailment that had troubled him earlier in his military career.
International Coalition:
Napoleon faced a coalition of European powers determined to defeat him. The Battle of Waterloo was the culmination of the Hundred Days, during which Napoleon returned to power but faced united opposition from various European nations.
The convergence of these factors led to Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, marking the end of his rule as the Emperor of the French and his final abdication.
TJKCB 发表评论于
"We are poorly placed to judge [people of that time]". Well said, Dan Snow. Thank you both for shining a light on the psychological aspects of the circumstances of these peoples lives. We frequently fail to realize the privilege we currently enjoy in the 1st world. We take for granted living in (relative) political stability, public education on myriad subjects, public discourse, a (relatively) free press, public health ... Thanks for viewing these historical figures with a sympathetic eye to the context of their times and their own personal experiences. Excellent discussion!
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