Napoleon (2023) *****

Starring : Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Edouard Philipponnat, Matthew Needham, Youssef Kercour, Cormac Hyde-Corrin, Tahar Rahim, Anna Mawn, Alfredo Tavares, John Hollingsworth, Ludivine Sagnier, Ben Miles, Mark Bonnar, Ian McNiece and Rupert Everett

Director : Sir Ridley Scott

Duration Running Time : (approx) 2 Hours 38 Minutes (158 Mins)

Certification Rating Certificate : 15

Distribution : Columbia Pictures (A Sony Company) , Apple Studios, Scott Free Productions, B G I Supplies Ltd, Apple Original Films, Dune Films, Latina Pictures

The historical epic is a genre in unique filmmaking that features large-scale, sweeping stories that often depict historical or even mythical events and characters.

The genre emerged with the medium itself, as some of the early filmmakers sought to create spectacular and also immersive experiences for their audiences.

Now some of the earliest examples of 'the historical epics' - in question - include many Italian epic films that include the following - such as 'CABIRIA' - (1914), which in fact depicted - 'THE SECOND PUNIC WAR BETWEEN ROME AND CARTHAGE' and also 'QUO VADIS' - (1913), - which in fact - portrayed - 'THE PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS UNDER NERO'.

It is also a genre that not only showcases the power but also the potential of the cinematic medium to transport and also inspire the movie audiences with many stories consisting of heroism, tragedy and adventure, for this is in fact a genre of such that reflects the human fascination with the past and also the imagination.

Napoleon Bonaparte, (August 15, 1769, -May 5, 1821) and also later known by his regnal name as Napoleon I,( this is the name used by monarchs and popes - during their reigns), and also, subsequently, and historically, is perhaps or even probably the most famous Frenchman of all-time, and also according to many academic sources - 'SECOND ONLY TO CHRIST' - as the most filmed figure in cinema history.

Napoleon, is in fact, a complex subject whose aura, monstrosity, and also a pure genius figure, is in fact - a perfect fit for outstanding cinema, and who is therefore - 'an irresistible unique challenge' - for any serious film-maker - who wants to undertake this subject about the greatest leader.

However, love him or loathe him, Bonaparte, in question, is in fact, central to French identity, so the best of luck to Hollywood, - in question - turning to an existential angst into a cinematic epic.

Now the many films that have been made about 'THE GREATEST EMPEROR' - was in fact very present on the big screen until THE FIRST WORLD WAR - 'WWI'- that were shown in France, Italy, Germany, Russia and also the United States - US - in all he can be seen in over - 'one hundred and eighty movies' - about him - and it all began in 1897, with 'the cinematic pioneers' known mainly as - 'THE FRERES LUMIERE'.

Then on April 7, 1927, Abel Gance's 'silent epic movie' 'NAPOLEON'(aka 'NAPOLEON vu par ABEL GANCE' - meaning 'NAPOLEON AS SEEN BY ABEL GANCE') with an amazing running time of 'five and a half hours' or even 330 minutes and featuring Albert Dieudonné - in the 'title role' had its world premiere in a gala at the Palais Garnier (then the home of the Paris Opera) - many decades later Kevin Brownlow, an Academy-Award Winning filmmaker, film historian and also archivist had spent at least twenty years of 'his entire life' by reconstructing this epic masterpiece - including - 'THE POLYVISION SCENES' - FOR THE GRAND FINALE OF THE MOVIE.

Brownlow born in 1938, became a film historian because of his passion for silent films, which he started collecting at the age of 11 yrs old in 1949, twenty-two years after the film came out in 1927, he first saw 'NAPOLEON' - the 1927 version in 1953, he also wrote 'fan letters' to silent film directors and also interviewed many of them for his books and documentaries, but he also collaborated with Gance and also other filmmakers to simply 'preserve the legacy of silent cinema' and he is also widely regarded as 'the leading authority on silent film' and has also received many awards and honours for his unique work to his craft.

The original 1927 silent version of 'NAPOLEON' is classed as 'an historical film' and also chronicles the story of Napoleon's early years , - from his childhood in Corsica to his invasion of Italy, but it is also recognised not just as a masterwork of cinema with innovative techniques that involves a masterwork of fluid camera motion, produced in a time when most camera shots involved were static, these were simply known as 'old school techniques' and also involved the following such as : fast cutting, extensive close-ups, a wide-variety of hand-held camera shots, location shooting, point of view shots, multiple camera setups, multiple exposure, superimposition, underwater camera, kaleidoscopic images, film tinting, split screen and mosaic shots, multi-screen projections and also other visual effects.

Just for the record - 'POLYVISION' - was the name given by émile Vuillermoz - a French Film Critic - to a specialized 'WIDE-SCREEN FORMAT' that was devised exclusively for the filming and also the projection of the 1927 timeless classic.

'POLYVISION', was in fact - 'a three-screen projection system' - for the 'grand-finale' of the movie, - but also that the film was originally planned 'to be the first of six films' the other 'five parts' to this - was never completed - about Napoleon's career, but also the costs as well as the many difficulties involved had made 'the full project' quite impossible to complete.

Now, Brownlow, - as a schoolboy in 1954 - aged 16 yrs - had purchased at least 'two 9.5mm reels' from a street market as Brownlow was captivated by the cinematic boldness of short clips - which he also tracked down many surviving prints from many archives situated all over the world - and his research began as a lifelong fascination to reconstruct and complete his dedication by restoring it to its completion of the ultimate masterpiece - the result of which was in fact - that the complete version that Brownlow had completed and also restored was also digitally restored by the British Film Institute - BFI National Archive in 2016, and by 1979, a five-hour version produced by Brownlow was presented at the Telluride Film Festival with the frail 'eighty-nine year old' film director in attendance - but despite Gance himself 'editing his own unique versions' of his 'dream project' - his dedication as a film director paid off - and also 'NAPOLEON' had resulted to many new audiences of classic movies were introduced worldwide who saw them.

Meanwhile, In 1977, Sir Ridley Scott, a young English film director, arrived on the scene, and released 'THE DUELLISTS' - a British period movie, directed by Scott, produced by Lord David Puttnam, CBE, and featuring Harvey Keitel as Feraud, an obsessive Bonapartist and Keith Carradine as d'Hubert, an aristocratic - two rival officers on a series of duels spanning nearly 'twenty years' - during the Napoleonic Wars in early 19th-century France and also based on 'The Duel' - a short story by Joseph Conrad, author of 'HEART OF DARKNESS' - originally published as a 'novella' in 1899, - and which became the inspiration when Francis Ford Coppola, an acclaimed Hollywood film director - directed 'APOCALYPSE NOW' in 1979, featuring Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen, Laurence Fishburne, Sam Bottoms, Frederic Forrest, Dennis Hopper and also Harrison Ford.

This was Scott's 'directorial debut' which won him the award for 'BEST DEBUT FILM' at the Cannes Film Festival in 1977, and was also nominated for the Palme d'Or - and Scott has directed films such as 'ALIEN' - 1979, 'BLADE RUNNER' 1982, and 'GLADIATOR' - 2000, featuring Russell Crowe, Richard Harris, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed and Joaquin Phoenix, while Puttnam had also produced movies such as 'MIDNIGHT EXPRESS' - 1978, 'CHARIOTS OF FIRE' - 1981, 'LOCAL HERO' - 1983, and 'THE KILLING FIELDS' - 1984.

However, on October 20, 2020, the same day after 'THE LAST DUEL' (2021), wrapped up filming, director Scott announced 'NAPOLEON' - this was originally known as 'KITBAG' as his next project for 20th Century Studios, formerly 20th Century Fox, which he would direct and also produce from a screenplay written by Scott's collaborator David Scarpa - 'ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD' (2017), this was a biographical drama based on the biographical novel entitled 'PAINFULLY RICH : THE OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES OF THE HEIRS OF J. PAUL GETTY' published in 1995, written by John Pearson and starring Mark Wahlberg,Michelle Williams and also Christopher Plummer, - also the film's working title was in fact derived from Bonaparte's quote: 'EVERY FRENCH SOLDIER CARRIES A MARSHAL'S BATON IN THEIR KNAPSACK'.

The synopsis of 'ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD' is in fact based on the true story of the 1973 kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, the grandson of John Paul Getty, who was regarded as 'the richest man in the world', now the kidnappers in question demanded a ransom of $17m (￡ 13,566,463.70 - UK),but Getty refuses to pay, claiming that he has 14 other grandchildren and that paying the ransom would encourage more kidnappings, now the movie in question follows the desperate attempts of Gail, mother of Getty III, in order to convince Getty to change his mind and also to negotiate with the kidnappers, who also becomes increasingly violent and impatient, also Gail in question is aided by Fletcher Chace, Getty's security man and who tries to track down the kidnappers in question and also rescue Getty III, also the movie in question explores many themes throughout including wealth, greed, family and loyalty, and also shows the contrast in question between Getty's lavish lifestyle and also his grandson's ordeal throughout.

By January 2021, three months later, APPLE STUDIOS announced 'its commitment to finance and also produce the film, with shooting scheduled to take place in the UK .

Scott said in an interview the following statement: 'Napoleon is a man I've always been fascinated by,' - 'He came out of nowhere to rule everything - but all the while he was waging a romantic war with his wife Josephine - his adultrous wife - he conquered the world to try and win her love - and when he couldn't, he conquered it to destroy her, and destroyed himself in the process'.

Now in 2023, Scott is about to return to the genre - known to many as 'the historical epic following 'GLADIATOR' and 'KINGDOM OF HEAVEN by presenting his latest new release 'NAPOLEON' - just in time for the thanksgiving /pre-festive holidays - this is an epic film lasting 'two hours thirty eight minutes' - and featuring Academy-Award winner Phoenix in the title role as Napoleon Bonaparte, a military genius and who also became the Emperor of France - but Phoenix in question would be brave enough to portray Johnny Cash in 'WALK THE LINE', Arthur Fleck in 'JOKER' and also Christ in 'MARY MAGDALENE' - but Phoenix is classed simply as an A -lister- who simply storms out of many film interviews promoting their finished product of a movie with aplomb, keeps his unique private life under wraps, and also simply trolled us all - by becoming - a 'rapper'.

However the 2023 film version unlike many other film versions which also include 'WATERLOO' the 1970 film version filmed entirely on location in Ukraine - produced by Dino De Laurentiis, directed by Sergei Bondarchuk, (originally John Huston was first choice to direct), and featuring Rod Steiger, as Napoleon Bonaparte, and also featuring Christopher Plummer, Orson Welles, Jack Hawkins, Virgina McKenna, Michael Wilding, Dan O'Herlihy, Serghej Zakhariadze and also Ian Ogilvy - focuses on Napoleon Bonaparte's epic journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with Josephine Bonaparte,(Kirby), ne :de Beauharnais - her maiden name, - an Empress of the French and who was also the 'first wife' of Emperor Napoleon I - and also showcasing his visionary military and political tactics involving power and leadership on how he became known as 'THE GREATEST LEADER', but Phoenix's performance as the French Emperor is described as 'a lounge lizard peacock - and a dreamy loner' but also Scott describes this golden couple between Napoleon and Josephine as 'THE RICHARD BURTON AND ELIZABETH TAYLOR OF IMPERIAL FRANCE'.

Also Scott's version about the tactical genius who became a great leader doesn't concentrate on his childhood - as Napoleon Bonaparte's mother's influence in question is in fact relegated to a cursory mention - and also a couple of 'brief appearances shown on the big screen for this is not just an historical epic as such like 'MASTER AND COMMANDER : THE FAR OF THE WORLD' released in 2003, directed by Peter Weir - an Australian film director - based on the novels by Patrick O'Brian and also featuring Russell Crowe as Captain James Aubrey - who by the way was Maximus Decimus Meridius, the soldier - turned slave -turned gladiator in 'GLADIATOR' - directed by Sir 'RIDDERS' and also featuring Phoenix as Commodus, Crowe's co-star - the character that also appeared in 'THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE' - (1964), and featuring none other than Christopher Plummer as Commodus - but also appeared in 'WATERLOO' - the 1970 film version as Sir Arthur Wellesley - aka 'THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON' - however, its also a costume drama like 'BARRY LYNDON' (1975), - and directed by Stanley Kubrick, who also produced and wrote as well - this is an epic film lasting just over 'three hours and five minutes' (185 minutes) - and also includes an intermission comfort break - now this is based on the novel published in 1844 'entitled as' 'THE LUCK OF BARRY LYNDON' by William Makepeace Thackeray and tells the epic story of Redmond Barry,(Ryan O'Neal), an 18th-Century Irish rogue, and also a 'gold-digger', who marries Lady Lyndon, (Marisa Berenson), a rich widow, who climbs up the 'social ladder' and also assume Sir Charles Reginald Lyndon, (Frank Middlemass) - her late husband aristocratic position - now originally after 'A CLOCKWORK ORANGE', (1971), which was based on the novel by Anthony Burgess - Kubrick had intended to direct a biopic of NAPOLEON - but also lost his financing because of the commercial failure of the 1970 film version of 'WATERLOO' - produced by De Laurentiis and directed by Bondachuk .

However, 'the bladder police' - in question - much like 'THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE' - who on Friday November 17, 2023, had deducted 'ten points' - and even more points could be deducted from Everton FC - a suburb of Liverpool, for simply breaching 'financial rules'-(this is a warning for Manchester City FC be aware as 'the English Premier League are 'coming for you' - so 'be very afraid') - have come for Sir Ridley Scott - and also 'reignites the debate' about 'the lengthy running time in epic movies' versus 'the expanding directorial vision' of the film director's dream in question.

On Friday November 17, 2023, - five days before the official movie release date on Wednesday November 22, 2023, when the movie opens in movie theaters worldwide, Scott had confessed in an exclusive interview with 'THE GUARDIAN' - the following statement: 'that the epic film - in question - known to many as - 'the bum-ache factor' has curtailed - ie: cut/trimmed to 'two hours and thirty eight minutes'-(158 minutes) from about 'one hour and twenty two minutes -(82 minutes) - that Scott had originally cut out - but that Scott - in question - plans to release 'the full unexpurgated complete version' - by reinstating 82 mins back in - and also adding the 158 minutes - thus resulting in a director's original version of just over four hours long -well four hours and ten minutes (260 minutes - to be exact) - this complete 'uncut' version that he plans to release would be shown on Apple TV + - a streaming service, - although this new version may be shown in movie theaters, - all being well.

However, the competing demands of unfettered artistic vision and also a commercial necessity have long been a point of contest between the sheer creative of the business side of the film industry; that no film studio ever really likes a film longer than 'two hours' - (120 minutes) - as it 'reduces the amount of movie screenings - that are in fact shown in movie theaters daily' - and also therefore - 'the amount of movie tickets sold in movie theaters daily'.

Scott, however, was also - 'a key figure' - in showing that - 'THE DIRECTOR'S CUT - originally - a 'contractually obliged edit' - of the film - in question - and was also classed as 'what was normally discarded' - could be - 'a commercial benefit' - in its own right - after releasing 'an alternative new version' of 'BLADE RUNNER' -his 1982 original version, a decade -''ten years'' - later.

Scott is no stranger to having director's cut version of movies - as Scott - in question - calls his 'ORIGINAL CUT VERSION MOVIES AS HIS DIRECTOR'S CUT VERSIONS -'these are in his own words' - not mine - he mentions this as an introduction - prior to the director's commentary on 'GLADIATOR' and also especially when its his own movies that go under the microscope such as 'ALIEN'(1979),'BLADE RUNNER' (1982),'GLADIATOR' (2000), 'KINGDOM OF HEAVEN' (2005), and also 'THE MARTIAN' (2015), - now these five movies in question -and also in particular were in fact considered by major film studios such as Warner Bros Pictures, Universal Pictures, Dreamworks Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox - these studios in question - were in fact instructed by 'the powers that be' - ie: 'the men in suits' - to either cut or extend their original film footages - this is because many movie audiences - who saw these in movie theaters - were either impressed or even disappointed - with what they saw on the big screen - and at the end of these showings alone - were given a questionnaire - and view their unique opinions contained in these questionnaires of the movies in question - however, any unused footage - left over from the original versions of blockbusters - were reconstructed - and were classed as either - a special edition/director's cut versions to be released on home entertainment - such as DVD/Blu-Ray - these discs in question would either be a 'two-disc', 'three-disc' or even a 'four-disc' for the viewers to watch and also enjoy 'the full-on experience' inside their original establishments.

Scott's visual artistry also makes him a consummate film creator as a film director of many world's, - whether that's outer space in 'ALIEN' and 'THE MARTIAN', civil war in Somalia in 'BLACK HAWK DOWN' which Scott also directed and produced, also Jerry Bruckheimer co-produced as well as Ken Nolan who wrote the screenplay and based on the eponymous 'non-fiction' book by Mark Bowden, a journalist - about the crew of a Black Hawk helicopter that was subsequently shot down during 'THE BATTLE OF MOGADISHU' - aka 'THE BLACK HAWK DOWN INCIDENT' and was also part of 'OPERATION GOTHIC SERPENT' - also this battle took place on Saturday October 3, to Sunday October 4, 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia, medieval England in 'ROBIN HOOD' -(the 2010 version), and also the Roman Empire in 'GLADIATOR'.

But there's no doubt that the film in question that the combat battle sequences (there are about eleven in all - that feature in this action epic), are quite impressive to watch using the various types of equipment such as numerous cameras, thunderous, enveloping sound and also the intricate action choreography, that Scott in question - manages to convey 'the movie audience' both the overwhelming tumult of being right in the thick of the action battles from the comfort of your seat and also the meticulous efficiency of Napoleon's strategic planning of high-adventure battles ever presented on the screen.

The film in question has had mixed reviews from many critics including praising performances from Phoenix and Kirby, spectacular editing sequences, superior special effects and also the photography and production design which is quite simply top notch to watch on the big screen is quite simply remarkable but also Sir Ridley Scott didn't seem to appreciate historian Dan Snow's (son of Sir Peter Snow - the election analyst who always swung his swingometer during 'ELECTION NIGHT' on BBC TV) criticism of his new film.

Apparently both Scott and Snow between them had a 'podcast conversation' where they both discussed 'THE EMPEROR'S GREATEST BATTLES' - and also the greatest challenges of making an historical epic film.

However in an interview with 'THE NEW YORKER' - Scott himself had responded to Snow's 'TIK-TOK' video to where he pointed out several inaccuracies in the film's trailer by saying to Snow - 'GET A LIFE' ! - but also Scott himself had also defended his artistic choices by stating the following statement: 'that he had wanted to create 'a cinematic experience' - which by the way - it is - rather than a documentary', plus Phoenix also echoed his sentiment in an interview with 'EMPIRE' - 'a film magazine' - by saying the following statement: 'If you want to understand about the story of Napoleon Bonaparte, then you should probably do your own studying and also reading - because if you see this film, then its this ultimate experience told through the eyes of Sir Ridley himself.

I have always found that watching many movies directed by Scott - is that he is described by many as 'THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON' in cinema history and that many movies that he directs 'leaves his hallmark as a legacy for new audiences to discover his greatest talent as a film director and that every movie is simply turned into 100% pure gold - his dedication to directing movies is regarded as simply magnificent - and also his movies are never boring - these are the greatest masterpieces that are well worth watching on the big screen - whether you have seen them once - or want to watch again, Scott is a visionary film director - and that this - 'his twenty-eighth movie' is perhaps known as 'his greatest masterpiece' of all-time.

'Ces't Magnifique'

DON'T MISS IT !

David M.G.Mitchell