Went to see this pm today , in an effort to distract myself -
I love “ The Duellists” in fact it is one of my favourite films and also love “Gladiator “ but not this!
A lost opportunity imho. Beginning interesting but oh those battle scenes, over the top, trench warfare, multiple flags and more . Sooo disappointed.
Many hobbyist reviews are pointing in the same direction. I shall save my cash and my time!
ReplyDeleteBob Cordery’s Wargaming Miscellany blog has an interesting post with link to Prof Gary Sheffield’s Military History podcast -
ReplyDelete“In a recent interview about his latest film – NAPOLEON – the film director Ridley Scott is reported to have said in reply to criticism by some historians as to its accuracy, ‘Excuse me, mate, were you there? No? Well, shut the f*ck up then’. This podcast examines this very dismissive attitude of historians and then moves on to look at what role historians – and particularly military historians – perform.“
Note “reported to have said”. So sadly not the next 1960s Waterloo blockbuster film that influenced or recruited a whole generation of historical gamers and re-enactors.
http://wargamingmiscellany.blogspot.com/2023/11/military-history-plus-bonus-podcast.html
I saw it and thought it was OK but I agree there are many obvious issues when it comes to the three or four battle scenes. Having watched Waterloo several times, a lot of what is inaccurate in Scott's version is obvious but as I know ZERO about the Battle of Austerlitz, except the participants and that it was somewhere near Vienna, I can only assume it is equally inaccurate in its depiction - was there a frozen lake involved??
ReplyDeleteRe: Austerlitz. Afaik, the lake was several fish ponds and the water only 3 or 4 feet deep. When the battle was lost, a few elements of the allied army retreated over the frozen surface. Napoleon and Soult quickly organised a few 12pdrs to fire at the retreating forces and the ice broke and a few soldiers drowned (and not as many as the Bulletin announced). There were no guns hidden in ambush by Napoleon.
Deleteregards,
Tom
Of the Reviews - seems no one has anything positive to say - all seem to agree the Battle Scenes are entirely inaccurate.
ReplyDeleteI will wait until it appears on TV, sent my free tickets from my bank to my Granddaughter as she will make better use and see something better.
ReplyDeleteWillz.
I agree with you. I really liked The Duellists, but sadly, for me, Napoleon was disappointing as a film and a mess with respect to history. I had to go off and watch bits of the film Waterloo the next day to remind myself what was possible.
ReplyDeleteTom
I will wait for the 4 hour director's cut version which might be better
ReplyDeleteI decided not to bother with the Napoleon film. Always wary of Hollywood history interpretations.
ReplyDelete"The Duelists" - great on atmosphere and character particularly. A classic.
ReplyDelete