Unraveling the Accuracy of Napoleon: Exploring the Historical Timeline
Discover the truth behind Ridley Scott's portrayal of Napoleon in this captivating article Uncover the inaccuracies and criticisms faced by the renowned director
Ridley Scott's new historical epic film "Napoleon" has sparked controversy over its potential inaccuracies during the press tour. The question remains: how historically accurate is the film? Despite being recently released, Scott's press tour for "Napoleon" has already raised questions about its historical authenticity.
Scott not only defended the movie against its critics but also admonished fans for pointing out potential historical inaccuracies in the film. But which side is actually correct? Here's everything you need to know about the accuracy of Napoleon.
How accurate is Napoleon? Timeline explained
Ridley Scott’s Napoleon doesn’t seem to be all that historically accurate – both in big scenes and smaller details.
The film's timeline commences with the French Revolution in 1793 and concludes with Napoleon's death in 1821. However, significant portions of his timeline are conspicuously absent, lacking adequate explanation.
Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of the French Emperor includes claims about his humble origins, but experts have determined that his family were descendants of Italian nobility. Another frequently made statement is his assertion that he "conquered everything," which has also been proven to be inaccurate.
Scott's portrayal of Napoleon frequently depicts him leading charges into battle and making crucial decisions on the battlefield. However, historical records contradict this, indicating that Napoleon rarely led dramatic charges. Although his war strategy at the Battle of Waterloo is accurately portrayed, the movie also emphasizes the sobering reality that under Napoleon's command, 3 million soldiers lost their lives.
Dan Snow, a prominent TV historian, took aim at Napoleon's historical inaccuracies, particularly the notion of Bonaparte "freeing" Egypt as depicted in a trailer. In a now-viral TikTok video, Snow questioned the feasibility of a 12-pound cannon hitting the top of the Pyramids from the location where they were standing.
“And also Napoleon didn’t shoot at the Pyramids, and the Battle of the Pyramids, so-called, was not fought at the base of the Pyramids.”
Inaccuracies beyond Napoleon
Ridley Scott’s interpretation of Napoleon involves a tendency to embellish myths in order to create more dramatic storytelling. This tendency can be clearly observed in the depiction of Bonaparte cornering the Russian army onto a frozen lake, a scene with historically vague supporting evidence. This inclination towards embellishment extends beyond Napoleon's story to include various smaller details throughout the movie.
The film begins with the execution of Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution in 1793. In the movie, the former Queen is depicted with untamed hair and wearing a black dress. However, historical records indicate that she actually had short hair and was more likely to be dressed in white due to her widow status.
Furthermore, Napoleon is portrayed in the movie as present at Antoinette's execution, but in reality, he was occupied with the Siege of Toulon at that time.
Historian Dr. Estelle Paranque, speaking on BBC Radio 4, disputed Scott's portrayal of Antoinette as defiant, stating, "It did annoy me a little because he made her kind of fearless and a bit feisty, and at the time honestly she was not. She tried to remain dignified at the end, but I don’t think she would have been that bold. And obviously, Napoleon wasn’t there."
What criticism has Ridley Scott faced over Napoleon?
YouTube/Sony Pictures
Critics and historians have expressed disappointment over the historical inaccuracies in the film Napoleon, with concerns being raised since the release of the film's first trailers. In a profile in The New Yorker, Ridley Scott initially responded to critics by pointing out that there are 400 books written about Napoleon, suggesting that as the number of books increases, so does the speculation and variance in interpretation.
Scott reaffirmed this by responding to critics on France Inter Radio, "How do you know? Were you there?" Historians have since elaborated on their concerns, with Guy Walters criticizing Scott's response, stating "Ridley Scott has resorted to that time-dishonored and lamest excuse for getting his history wrong in his Napoleon film. Telling people 'you can't know because you weren't there' negates the whole pursuit of historical knowledge, and basically gives you a pass to make it all up."
Napoleon releases in theaters on November 22. You can check out our other TV & movies reviews here.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the historical accuracy of the film "Napoleon." While I appreciate the effort to bring this important historical figure to life on the big screen, I am concerned about the potential for inaccuracies to distort the truth. It is important for filmmakers to strive for historical accuracy when depicting real-life events and人物, as this can have a significant impact on how audiences perceive and understand history.
Overall, I believe that "Napoleon" is a well-made film with strong performances and stunning visuals. However, I would encourage viewers to be aware of the potential for historical inaccuracies and to do their own research to learn more about Napoleon and his era.
