Unraveling the Mystery: The Truth Behind Napoleon's Mysterious Demise

Ridley Scott's historical epic Napoleon delves into a turbulent and violent period in French history. The film begins in 1793 and follows Napoleon's political journey, showcasing his ruthless tactics against his enemies. While the focus remains on the emperor, some scenes in the movie have been altered for dramatic effect, raising questions about its historical accuracy.

The early part of Napoleon highlights Bonaparte's role as a revolutionary leader after the popular uprising in 1789. During this time, he proved himself as a skilled military strategist and gained widespread support, especially for his actions during the siege of Toulon. Additionally, he played a significant role in defeating a royalist rebellion on 13 Vendémiaire, solidifying his reputation as a revolutionary figure. While certain aspects of his early career are based on true events, the film's dramatic opening scene, depicting a notorious incident from the revolution, takes creative liberties with historical facts.

Marie Antoinette's Execution in Napoleon

The beginning of the movie Napoleon starts off with a gruesome scene showing the execution of Marie Antoinette. She was the former Queen of France and the wife of Louis XVI. In this dramatic moment, Marie Antoinette, played by Catherine Walker, is taken in a cart through a crowd that mocks her by throwing fruit and vegetables at her. Eventually, she reaches the guillotine where she is beheaded. Throughout this scene, Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Joaquin Phoenix, silently observes the tragic event.

Napoleon Was Not Really Present For Marie Antoinette's Death

Several aspects of this historic scene are faithfully recreated. For instance, Marie Antoinette really was forced to ride in an open cart where she could be subjected to the abuses and missiles of the crowd. However, there are also a number of important differences. For instance, the real Marie Antoinette was forced by the revolutionaries to wear a white dress, as this was the color worn by widowed Queens of France. Her final words were also allegedly an apology to the executioner after accidentally treading on his foot. The most egregious inaccuracy, however, concerns Napoleon's role in her death.

Contrary to what is shown in the movie, Napoleon Bonaparte was not actually present at Marie Antoinette's funeral. In reality, he was not even in Paris at the time, as he was commanding the French forces in Toulon, a role that is depicted later in the film. His appearance at the guillotine right from the start indicates that historical accuracy is not a top priority for the portrayal of Napoleon.

Despite deviating from the truth, Napoleon's presence at Marie Antoinette's execution serves a purpose in the movie. It highlights how bold Napoleon was in establishing a new French monarchy just 11 years after the previous queen was executed by a mob. It also reflects the young officer's ambition, as he sees Marie Antoinette's fate not as a cautionary tale, but as a challenge. While the scene may take liberties with the facts, it effectively reveals important aspects of the protagonist's character.

Editor's P/S:

This article provides an engrossing exploration of Ridley Scott's historical epic "Napoleon," delving into the accuracy of its portrayal of this iconic figure. While the film captures the essence of Napoleon's political journey and military prowess, it also takes creative liberties with certain events, raising questions about its fidelity to historical facts.

The depiction of Marie Antoinette's execution is a prime example of this divergence from history. The film's portrayal of Napoleon's presence at this tragic event is inaccurate, as he was not in Paris at the time. While this alteration may serve a dramatic purpose in highlighting Napoleon's audacity and ambition, it nevertheless raises concerns about the film's commitment to historical accuracy. Overall, the article effectively analyzes the film's strengths and weaknesses, offering a nuanced perspective on its portrayal of Napoleon and the tumultuous period in French history he embodied.