In a surprising turn of events, Napoleon, the historical epic movie criticized harshly by French reviewers, has stormed the French box office after the vehement response from Ridley Scott to the critics.
Box Office Triumph
The film, daringly challenging the critics, made a powerful statement on its release day, November 22nd, reaping substantial box office earnings in France. According to Comscore France, from an estimated 120,000 viewings, the film generated around 868,000 euros (approximately 946,000 dollars).
Ridley Scott’s Epic Rendition
Directed by Ridley Scott, the 85-year-old mastermind behind Gladiator, Napoleon portrays the true story of the rise to power of French Emperor Napoleon, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, and his tumultuous relationship with Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, played by Vanessa Kirby, during the 19th century.
Divided Criticism
Reviews of the film remain divided; while some hail it as a “masterpiece” of historical epic, others criticize it for historical inaccuracies. Ridley Scott’s dismissal of earlier criticisms, chiding those finding fault with Napoleon, had put major French publications like Le Figaro, Le Point, and GQ France on alert.
Criticisms and Scott’s Response
Notably, GQ France labeled the film as “extremely inept, devoid of naturalness, and accidentally comedic,” primarily due to scenes depicting French soldiers shouting “Vive La France” with American accents.
In response to these critiques in a recent interview with BBC News, Scott retorted:
“The French don’t even like themselves.” -Ridley Scott
However, Scott clarified that he didn’t mean all French people, noting that audiences in Paris had shown great enthusiasm for the film.
Historical Accuracy Scrutiny
Historian Dan Snow, highlighting perceived inaccuracies, illustrated various points in a viral TikTok video. Among these, he addressed the notion cited on the movie poster claiming Napoleon “came from nothing,” stating that his father was actually an aristocrat.
Snow also emphasized discrepancies such as Napoleon not firing at the pyramids during the Battle of the Pyramids, and Marie-Antoinette having short hair during her execution, asserting that Napoleon wasn’t present at the time.
Insights from the Cast
In an interview with Empire, Joaquin Phoenix described the film as “an experience told through Ridley’s vision,” advising those interested in truly understanding Napoleon to conduct their own research and reading.
Extended Version and Future Release
Scott, known for creating extended cuts like in Kingdom of Heaven starring Orlando Bloom in 2005, revealed plans to add an extra 110 minutes to the current 158-minute film version, which will be shown in theaters and subsequently streamed on Apple TV+ after its theatrical run.
Despite the critical uproar, Napoleon continues to draw audiences, sparking discussions on historical accuracy and the director’s creative liberties in retelling this iconic story on the big screen.
Last modified: January 22, 2024
