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Napoleon (2023 film)

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Napoleon
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRidley Scott
Written byDavid Scarpa
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDariusz Wolski
Edited by
Music byMartin Phipps[2]
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • November 14, 2023 (2023-11-14) (Salle Pleyel)
  • November 22, 2023 (2023-11-22) (United States and United Kingdom)
Running time
157 minutes[3]
Countries
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget$130–200 million[4][5]

Napoleon is a 2023 epic historical drama film directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by David Scarpa. Based on the true story of Napoleon Bonaparte, primarily depicting the French leader's rise to power as well as his relationship with Empress Joséphine, the film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby as Joséphine.

Napoleon premiered at Salle Pleyel in Paris on November 14, 2023, and is scheduled to be released in the United States and the United Kingdom on November 22, 2023, by Columbia Pictures and Apple Original Films, through Sony Pictures Releasing and Apple TV+ respectively, before streaming on Apple TV+ at a later date.

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix at the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany
Portrait of then Premier Consul Napoleon I painted by François Gérard, 1803.
Joaquin Phoenix (left) plays Napoleon (right)

Production

Development

On October 14, 2020, the same day his film The Last Duel (2021) wrapped filming, Ridley Scott announced Napoleon, at that point provisionally called Kitbag, as his next project for 20th Century Studios, which he would direct and produce from a screenplay written by Scott's All the Money in the World (2017) collaborator David Scarpa. The film's working title was derived from Bonaparte's quote, "Every French soldier carries a Marshal's baton in their knapsack".

Joaquin Phoenix was reportedly attached to star as the French general and emperor Napoléon, reuniting him with the director after Gladiator (2000).[16] Scott had Phoenix and another actor he has refused to reveal in mind to play Napoleón, but felt "blown away" by Phoenix's remarkable performance in Joker (2019) and concluded that Phoenix could be an "amazing asset" for Napoleon, both creatively and commercially.[17] In January 2021, Apple Studios announced its commitment to finance and produce the film, with shooting scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom in 2022. "Napoleon is a man I've always been fascinated by", Scott said in a statement. "He came out of nowhere to rule everything — but all the while he was waging a romantic war with his adulterous wife Joséphine. He conquered the world to try to win her love, and when he couldn't, he conquered it to destroy her, and destroyed himself in the process."[18]

The Last Duel actress Jodie Comer was reportedly Scott's first choice to play Empress Joséphine. She entered negotiations to star in March 2021, confirmed her casting in September, and said: "I just jumped at the chance to work with Ridley and his team again and the idea of working with Joaquin, who's someone who I hugely admire... I'm so excited to delve into that world."[19][20] In November, she said her role was "going to be another huge challenge, but what I love about period dramas is that kind of transformation. Even now, doing some costume and hair tests for Kitbag, it's just so exciting because it becomes so much easier to step out of yourself and into somebody else."[21] The same month, Youssef Kerkour was confirmed to star.[22]

On January 4, 2022, Comer revealed her departure from the film due to scheduling changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[23] Vanessa Kirby was announced as her replacement later that day.[24] On January 18, 2022, producer Kevin J. Walsh said the film had been retitled Napoleon.[25] In February, Tahar Rahim was added to the cast, in the role of Paul Barras.[26] The historian Lorris Chevalier who worked on The Last Duel became the historical advisor.[27]

Filming

The West Front of Lincoln Cathedral seen from the Castle wall in 2006.
Initial filming took place at Lincoln Cathedral.

Production began in February 2022.[26] The film will feature six major battle sequences, unlike Waterloo (1970), another film featuring Napoleon, that focused on a single battle.[28] Napoleon was shot under the working title Marengo, a reference to the Battle of Marengo (1800).[29] Filming took place in Lincoln, England in March 2022.[30] The crew reportedly spent a week to prepare Lincoln Cathedral, which stood in for Notre-Dame de Paris. Shooting took place in the cathedral on March 17 and 18, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.[31][32][33]

Filming also took place at other English locations: Stowe Avenue and House, Buckinghamshire;[34] West Wycombe Park, Buckinghamshire;[35][36] Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire;[37] Petworth House, Sussex;[38] Boughton House, Kettering;[39] and Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London.[40]

It was also shot in Malta for three weeks, starting in May 2022. Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara was transformed into the site of 1793's siege of Toulon, where Napoleon had his first victory.[41][42][43]

Release

Napoleon premiered at Salle Pleyel in Paris on November 14, 2023.[44]

For the film's theatrical release, Apple Original Films partnered with Sony Pictures Releasing, under their Columbia Pictures banner, to help exhibit the film worldwide.[45][46][47] It is scheduled to be released in cinemas first in the United States and the United Kingdom on November 22, 2023, before releasing on Apple TV+ at a later date.[48][49]

In August 2023, Ridley Scott revealed that he has a four-and-a-half hour director's cut of Napoleon that explores more of Empress Joséphine, and hopes that he will be able to release it in theaters and on Apple TV+, after the initial theatrical release.[50] Later in October 2023, Scott confirmed the intention to release the director's cut on Apple TV+ after the film's theatrical run.[51]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 66% of 61 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The website's consensus reads: "Ridley Scott is intent on proving the emperor has no clothes in Napoleon, a slyly funny epic with bravura set pieces whose divided runtime keeps it from outright conquering."[52] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 66 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[53]

Writing in The Guardian, critic Peter Bradshaw describes the film as a "thrilling biopic" and concludes that Ridley Scott "doesn't withhold the old-fashioned pleasures of spectacle and excitement. Phoenix is the key to it all: a performance as robust as the glass of burgundy he knocks back: preening, brooding, seething and triumphing."[54] Critic Nicholas Barber found the film's battle sequences "spectacular", he further praised the performances of Kirby and Phoenix.[55]

Conversely Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post wrote: "[...] it's too bad Scott could not deliver a brilliant character study of one of the world's great military leaders — and instead settled for letting a self-indulgent Phoenix fly over the cuckoo's nest".[56]

References

  1. ^ "Sam Restivo" (PDF). The Gersh Agency. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  2. ^ "Martin Phipps Scoring Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon'". Film Music Reporter. February 3, 2023. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  3. ^ "Napoleon (15A)". Irish Film Classification Office. September 22, 2023. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  4. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 2, 2023). "Disney's Wish Eyes $50M Debut, Apple & Sony's Napoleon To Gallop To $24M Over Thanksgiving 5-Day: Box Office Early Look". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  5. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (November 7, 2023). "Killers of the Flower Moon Box Office: Is Martin Scorsese's $200 Million Epic a Hit or Flop?". Variety. Ridley Scott's "Napoleon," starring Joaquin Phoenix as the French ruler, also cost $200 million and will be released by Sony in November.
  6. ^ Caiani, Ambrogio (2021). To Kidnap a Pope. Napoleon and Pius VII. Yale University Press. pp. 116–117. ISBN 9780300251333. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  7. ^ Varlan, Olivier (2018). Caulaincourt : Diplomate de Napoléon. Paris: Nouveau Monde Éditions. p. 504. ISBN 978-2-36942-699-8.
  8. ^ Gilles, Christian (1999). Madame Tallien, la Reine du Directoire. Biarritz: Atlantica.
  9. ^ Castelot, André (1968). Napoléon. Paris: Perrin. p. 600-602.
  10. ^ Montégut, Émile (1895). Le maréchal Davout, son caractère et son génie. Paris: Hachette et Cie. p. 155-156. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  11. ^ Jordan, David (2004). The King's Trial: The French Revolution vs. Louis XVI. Los Angeles: Los Angeles: University of California Press. p. 215.
  12. ^ Larman, Alexander (July 11, 2023). "Napoleon heralds the return of the man's movie". The Spectator World. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  13. ^ Lawday, David (2011). Napoleon's Master. A Life of Prince Talleyrand. New York City: Random House. pp. 2–7. ISBN 9781446448786. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  14. ^ Chandler, David (1999). Dictionary of the Napoleonic wars. Wordsworth editions. p. 314.
  15. ^ Come de Chesnel (1864). Encyclopédie militaire et maritime par le comte de Chesnel. Paris: Le Chevallier. p. 717. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  16. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 14, 2020). "Ridley Scott Eyes Another Epic: Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon in Kitbag as Director Today Wraps The Last Duel". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  17. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (October 7, 2023). "Ridley Scott On Capturing Epic 'Napoleon' & Why He Chose Joaquin Phoenix To Play The Emperor – Contenders London". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  18. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 14, 2021). "Apple Studios Commits to Kitbag, Ridley Scott-Directed Epic with Joaquin Phoenix as French Conqueror Napoléon Bonaparte". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  19. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 2, 2021). "Jodie Comer Is Ridley Scott's Choice To Play Josephine Opposite Joaquin Phoenix In Napoléon Bonaparte Pic Kitbag For Apple Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  20. ^ Yossman, K.J. (September 3, 2021). "Killing Eve Star Jodie Comer Confirmed for Ridley Scott's Kitbag Opposite Joaquin Phoenix". Variety. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  21. ^ Ravindran, Manori (November 8, 2021). "Jodie Comer on Closing the Chapter on Villanelle, Owning Her Place on Last Duel and Making Her West End Debut". Variety. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  22. ^ Boghosian, Raffi (November 23, 2021). "Youssef Kerkour on House of Gucci and Challenging Typecasting". Golden Globes. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  23. ^ Kit, Borys (January 4, 2022). "Jodie Comer Exits Ridley Scott's Napoleon Drama Kitbag (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  24. ^ Grobar, Matt (January 4, 2022). "Ridley Scott Chooses Vanessa Kirby To Play Josephine Opposite Joaquin Phoenix's Napoleon in Apple Epic Kitbag". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  25. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 18, 2022). "Kevin Walsh Moves From Scott Free Prexy to Multi-Year Apple TV+ Producing Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  26. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (February 16, 2022). "The Serpent Star Tahar Rahim Joins Joaquin Phoenix In Apple And Ridley Scott's Napoleon". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  27. ^ Medievalists.net (October 16, 2023). "Bertrandon de la Broquière: A Medieval Secret Agent?". Medievalists.net. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  28. ^ Hammond, Pete (December 31, 2021). "Ridley Scott On House Of Gucci, The Last Duel, Upcoming Napoleon And Gladiator Epics, And Why He Just Keeps Going – Behind The Lens". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 28, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  29. ^ Karran, Ellis (March 14, 2022). "Movie set at Lincoln Cathedral continues to expand ahead of Napoleon filming this week". The Lincolnite. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  30. ^ Verney, Joseph (November 26, 2021). "Hollywood filmmaker Ridley Scott casting for new movie in Lincoln starring Joaquin Phoenix". The Lincolnite. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  31. ^ "Napoleon filming set to start soon". Lincolnshire County Council. March 2, 2022. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  32. ^ Karran, Ellis (March 11, 2022). "Lincoln Cathedral plays role of Notre Dame on Napoleon film set". The Lincolnite. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  33. ^ Karran, Ellis (March 18, 2022). "Watch: Joaquin Phoenix and Ridley Scott spotted at Lincoln Cathedral during Napoleon filming". The Lincolnite. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  34. ^ Morl, Lily (March 15, 2022). "Napoleon biopic film starring Joaquin Phoenix to close Buckingham road next month". Buckinghamshire Live. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  35. ^ Butler, Rory; Mykkanen, Noora (March 2, 2022). "Ridley Scott Napoleon 2023: film crew spotted at West Wycombe Park". Bucks Free Press. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  36. ^ Ryder, Liam (March 1, 2022). "Is Napoleon filming in West Wycombe? Apple-produced biopic starring Joaquin Phoenix reportedly shooting in Bucks". Buckinghamshire Live. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  37. ^ Perry, Sophie (November 9, 2021). "Film directed by Ridley Scott starring Jodie Comer and Joaquin Phoenix to shoot in Oxfordshire". Oxford Mail. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  38. ^ Stack, Joe (July 25, 2023). "Ridley Scott film Napoleon featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby". Sussex Express. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  39. ^ Bagley, Alison (March 15, 2022). "Hollywood Napoleon movie comes to Kettering stately home". Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  40. ^ McGroarty, Adam (March 11, 2022). "Filming underway in Greenwich for new Ridley Scott Napoleon film starring Joaquin Phoenix". Kent Live. Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  41. ^ Green, Jennifer (January 31, 2022). "Malta Is Ready for Its Close-Up as a Prime International Shooting Destination". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  42. ^ Macnab, Geoffrey (January 31, 2022). "Russell Crowe, Ridley Scott, Colin Trevorrow honoured at inaugural Malta Film Awards". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  43. ^ Vella, Luke (August 26, 2021). "Malta set for Ridley Scott's Napoleon epic Kitbag with Joaquin Phoenix". Malta Today. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  44. ^ "Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' World Premieres in Paris With Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby". Variety.
  45. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 3, 2023). "Ridley Scott-Helmed 'Napoleon' Set By Apple Original Films For November Sony Theatrical Release; Let The Fall Fest Jockeying Begin!". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  46. ^ Brady, Erin; Ettenhofer, Valerie (August 7, 2023). "Ridley Scott's Napoleon - Release Date, Cast, Plot, Trailer, And More Info". /Film. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  47. ^ Poisuo, Pauli (July 10, 2023). "Napoleon First Trailer Debuts Ridley Scott's Brutish Emperor On The Battlefield". Looper. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  48. ^ Lang, Brent (April 3, 2023). "Ridley Scott, Joaquin Phoenix Epic 'Napoleon' Gets Exclusive Theatrical Release Before Apple TV+ Debut". Variety. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  49. ^ Rooney, David (November 14, 2023). "'Napoleon' Review: Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby Get Bogged Down in the Battles of Ridley Scott's Historical Epic". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  50. ^ Zilko, Christian (September 3, 2023). "Ridley Scott Teases a 'Fantastic' Four-and-a-Half Hour Director's Cut of 'Napoleon' with More Vanessa Kirby". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  51. ^ "Ridley Scott Says His 4-Hour 'Napoleon' Director's Cut Will be Released on Apple TV+ - TheWrap". Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  52. ^ "Napoleon". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 17, 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  53. ^ "Napoleon". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  54. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (November 15, 2023). "Napoleon review – Joaquin Phoenix makes a magnificent emperor in thrilling biopic". theguardian.co.Uk. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  55. ^ Barber, Nicholas. "Napoleon review: Ridley Scott's biopic is 'an awe-inspiring achievement'". www.bbc.com. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  56. ^ Oleksinski, Johnny (November 15, 2023). "'Napoleon' review: Another Joaquin Phoenix looney tunes performance as Ridley Scott offers ho-hum biopic". New York Post. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
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