Napoleon (2023)

Ridley Scott’s Napoleon (2023) offers a sweeping, cinematic portrayal of the French military leader’s meteoric rise and dramatic fall. With Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, this historical epic blends brutal battle scenes with deeply personal moments, exploring the complexities of Napoleon Bonaparte’s relationship with power, legacy, and love—especially his obsession with Joséphine. The film spans decades, from the French Revolution to Napoleon’s final exile on Saint Helena.

Detailed Summary

The Revolutionary Beginnings

The film opens during the waning days of the French monarchy, where a young and calculating Napoleon watches the execution of Marie Antoinette. This moment sets the tone for his rise as a tactical genius who seizes power when others hesitate. Early battle scenes at Toulon reveal his sharp military mind and ruthless ambition, helping him climb the ranks in post-revolutionary France.

Napoleon and Joséphine: A Toxic Obsession

At the heart of the film is Napoleon’s passionate, obsessive, and at times dysfunctional relationship with Joséphine (played by Vanessa Kirby). Their courtship, tumultuous marriage, infidelities, and eventual divorce are shown in raw detail. Ridley Scott uses their relationship to highlight Napoleon’s psychological vulnerabilities—particularly his insecurity, possessiveness, and need for validation.

The Egyptian Campaign and the Cult of Personality

We follow Napoleon to Egypt, where military spectacle is contrasted with poor decision-making. The famous Battle of the Pyramids is rendered with visceral intensity, but we also see the beginning of his inflated sense of destiny and divine right. Letters to Joséphine written during this campaign underscore his need to control her, even from thousands of miles away.

The Coronation and Imperial Hubris

In a pivotal scene at Notre-Dame Cathedral, Napoleon crowns himself Emperor, taking the crown from the Pope’s hands—a moment dripping with symbolism. Here, the film begins to shift tone: from awe at Napoleon’s achievements to anxiety over his growing megalomania. Joséphine looks uneasy, and political tensions simmer under the pomp.

The Russian Campaign: Grandeur Meets Catastrophe

The disastrous invasion of Russia is portrayed with a stark, cold realism. From the grandeur of the advance to the horror of the retreat, this segment drives home Napoleon’s pride and miscalculation. The Battle of Borodino and the burning of Moscow are major set-pieces, visually stunning and narratively grim.

Defeat, Exile, and Desperation

After his crushing defeat at Leipzig, Napoleon is forced to abdicate and is exiled to Elba. Even in exile, he clings to delusions of a comeback. His dramatic return, known as the Hundred Days, culminates in the infamous Battle of Waterloo—filmed with chaotic realism, portraying Napoleon as both commanding and crumbling. As he watches his army decimated, he is forced to accept that his time is over.

Movie Ending

The film ends with Napoleon’s second exile to Saint Helena, a remote British-controlled island in the South Atlantic. Stripped of power, isolated, and physically deteriorating, he tries to rewrite history by dictating his memoirs, insisting he was misunderstood. These scenes contrast sharply with earlier depictions of grandeur and control. We see a broken man haunted by ghosts—of Joséphine, of soldiers he led to ruin, and of an empire that collapsed under the weight of his ambition.

In his final moments, Napoleon looks out at the vast, empty sea. There are no admirers left, no enemies to conquer. Only silence. Ridley Scott doesn’t romanticize his death; it’s a quiet, pitiful end to a man who once ruled Europe. The camera lingers as we hear a tally of the millions of lives lost in the wars he waged—making a blunt statement about the cost of empire.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Napoleon (2023) does not feature any post-credits scenes. Once the film ends, it ends definitively—emphasizing finality and closure rather than teasing future narratives or cinematic universes.

Type of Movie

Napoleon is a historical epic drama infused with biographical and war film elements. It’s a film that alternates between character study and large-scale battle sequences, operating at the intersection of historical spectacle and psychological portrait.

Cast

• Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon Bonaparte
• Vanessa Kirby as Empress Joséphine
• Tahar Rahim as Paul Barras
• Rupert Everett as Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
• Ben Miles as Caulaincourt
• Ludivine Sagnier as Theresa Cabarrus

Film Music and Composer

The score is composed by Martin Phipps, known for his work on The Crown. His music for Napoleon combines ominous, droning soundscapes with haunting strings and military rhythms. The score enhances the film’s tonal shifts—from personal moments of intimacy to sweeping battle grandeur.

Filming Locations

• Malta – Used to replicate both Egyptian and Mediterranean environments.
• United Kingdom – Scenes were shot in historic estates, castles, and battlefields.
• France – Some palace interiors and public square scenes were filmed in Paris and other historic locations.

These locations are integral to the film’s authenticity. Malta’s ancient architecture stood in for Egypt and the Middle East, while UK sites were transformed into French and European battlefields, adding depth and realism to the historical setting.

Awards and Nominations

As of mid-2025, the film has received:

• BAFTA nominations for Best Actor (Phoenix), Best Production Design, and Best Score.
• Oscar buzz for Best Costume Design and Best Cinematography, although it received mixed critical reception, which may affect its awards trajectory.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Ridley Scott originally wanted Jodie Comer to play Joséphine but recast with Kirby due to scheduling conflicts.
• Joaquin Phoenix and Ridley Scott reportedly had intense discussions about Napoleon’s character, leading to spontaneous rewrites on set.
• Scott filmed extensive battle sequences using real extras and horses to avoid overuse of CGI.
• Phoenix refused to read any other portrayals of Napoleon, preferring to interpret him based on Scott’s direction and the script.

Inspirations and References

The movie draws primarily from historical accounts and Napoleon’s own memoirs, but it is not a strict biography. Ridley Scott has publicly stated that the film is more of an “impressionistic character portrait” than a factual retelling. Key references include:

• Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts
• Napoleon’s Letters to Joséphine
• Previous cinematic works like Waterloo (1970) and Barry Lyndon (1975)

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Ridley Scott has confirmed that a 4-hour director’s cut exists, which includes:

• More scenes of Napoleon’s childhood and Corsican roots.
• Extended sequences of Joséphine’s past and first marriage.
• A longer version of the final exile, with dreamlike hallucinations and reflections.

There’s speculation that Apple TV+ will release this longer version, providing more psychological depth and political nuance.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While the film is not based on a specific book, it loosely adapts themes from multiple biographies. It diverges from most books by dramatizing and fictionalizing interactions—especially private moments between Napoleon and Joséphine—to emphasize emotion over historical documentation.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Napoleon watching Marie Antoinette’s execution in silence.
• The self-coronation scene in Notre-Dame, brimming with ego.
• Battle of Austerlitz: the freezing of the lake and mass drownings.
• Napoleon’s childlike joy and confusion upon meeting his newborn son.
• Waterloo’s final cannon volley, viewed from a near-godlike wide shot.

Iconic Quotes

• “Destiny has brought me here, and destiny obeys no one.”
• “You think you’re so strong without me? I made you. I made everything.”
• “History is not written by the victors. It is dictated by men like me.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Joséphine’s letters quote real lines from her historical correspondence.
• The coronation painting scene directly mimics Jacques-Louis David’s famous painting.
• Napoleon’s uniform changes subtly throughout the film, reflecting his evolving psyche.
• The soundtrack features distant echoes of military drums even in intimate scenes—suggesting how war defines his inner life.

Trivia

• Joaquin Phoenix improvised several scenes, including a dinner table meltdown.
• Vanessa Kirby wore replicas of Joséphine’s actual jewelry sourced from museums.
• The horse used in the Austerlitz scene was the same one used in The King (2019).
• Ridley Scott said he viewed Napoleon as “a gangster with a crown.”

Why Watch?

If you’re drawn to films that combine historical grandeur, character-driven drama, and unfiltered power dynamics, Napoleon delivers. It offers a unique psychological lens on one of history’s most complex figures, anchored by a magnetic performance from Joaquin Phoenix and Ridley Scott’s masterful direction.

Director’s Other Movies

• Gladiator (2000)
• The Last Duel (2021)
• Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
• Blade Runner (1982)
• Black Hawk Down (2001)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Barry Lyndon (1975)
• Gladiator (2000)
• The Last Emperor (1987)
• Waterloo (1970)
• We Were Soldiers (2002)
• War and Peace (1967)
• Marie Antoinette (2006)
• Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)