Though filmed for TV as a sequel,this picture rises far above the soap-opera level.OK,historically it is not so instructive like other Napoleon-biopics,yet it's still pleasant to watch. The main reason is the perfect sexual chemistry between Armand Assante and Jacqueline Bisset in the title roles.Armand Assante,being of Italian origin,is Napoleon-besides Charles Boyer,no other actor resembles to him so striking-his austere,energetic,very masculine,authoritarian beauty really looks Corsican:an athletic,sun-drenched,proud Corsican ready to conquer the world.While Jacqueline Bisset is very attractive,sensual and stylish like we would expect from a Parisian grand dame of fiery creole descent. Even if history comes short,the love story is worth watching.
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AudemarsPiguet21 February 2005
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aramis-112-80488010 January 2023Napoleon is a bit difficult for Americans since he was never a threat to the US., as he was to Europe. He's just a guy who wore his hat from side to side and kept his hand 8n his shirt.
The wisenheimers point out the flaws in this production but anything that will inspire a deeper study of history is acceptable. I'm a medievalist but I love "The Lion in Winter" despite the fact that it's pure nonsense; or, at least, extremely telescoped history.
In "Napoleon and Josephine" they do an excellent job of making Armand Assante look stumpy. As for Jacqueline Bisset, she was one of the great screen beauties of the 1970s. By the 1980s she was getting a bit long in the tooth but she was older than Napoleon and Bisset's beauty is still evident, so she's perfect. Especially in the low-cut gowns fashionable at the time.
The cast list is not dotted with big names, but Anthony Perkins is perfect as Tallyrand. But, after all, this is the story of Napoleon and his most famous consort. It's a kind of Barbara Cartland version, but why not? Since they don't know what Napoleon and Josephine actually said, they have to create pithy dialogue.
The show starts at the tail end of the Terror, with Josephine awaitng her time with the guillotine, then her freedom with the fall of Robespierre. Catching sight of her Napoleon falls head over heels in love, and he woos her ham-handedly. He desperately wants to marry her but she's been unhappily married before and doesn't want to make the same mistake twice. Toward the end of the first hour on dvd they're sleeping together. And things continue from there.
Overall, it's pretty well done, though given Napoleon's rise and fall it might have gone on a lot longer than the advertised 275 minutes. Napoleon's campaigns are not well-explained, and the war footage clipped from old movies doesn't join perfectly. But accuracy is not that important. It's a story of love rather than war. It's a darn sight better to have mis-matched war scenes than the miserably thin crowd scenes. Napoleon had the largest army in Europe and we don't want all his wars looking like he fought with pitiful crowds. -
stephanie-1510 June 2000I saw this mini series when it first was aired, and was thrilled to see it again 10 years later. I am frustrated this wonderful portrayal of Napoleon and Josephine which inspired me to research the Napoleonic Era is not available to rent or purchase. After 13 years, one would think one could purchase this movie. I hope Warner Brothers will release it so others may enjoy it.
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tiggerscooby130 August 2000I thought this movie was great from what I seen. I missed the beginning,but the rest was unbelievable. I'm trying to find it to own. Great performances by Jacquline Bisset and Armand Assante. It gave me new a insight on Napoleon. I highly recommend this movie.
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Oldrice1 February 2005This is an accurate, yet very entertaining portrayal of the love story between Napoleon and Josephine. It's an awful shame this movie (miniseries) isn't available on DVD. If anyone can tell me where I can find this (I haven't been able to) on DVD I'd appreciate it. Anything with Sean Ofalahee in it, and I would be grateful. Can somebody tell me, if there's a better way to search for a copy of this movie on tape or DVD or where I can search for it in text form with pictures or ???
Please tell me this comment section isn't going to require me to add any more text to it.
All I want to do is find out where I can get a copy of this movie. -
trini25 May 1999The series depicted the relationship between Josephine and Napoleon. His obsession for her. Their romance. It was beautifully acted and the photography is splendid. It has a soap opera quality less the fluff. Too bad it isn't available to view independently.
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srv7775 January 2006I love this movie and I am trying to obtain a copy of it - VHS or DVD. Starring Armand Assante and Jacqueline Bisset. I saw the movie on a television mini series several years ago and have tried to find it in VHS format every since then. I would recommend this movie to anyone who loves, love stories, and who may be interested in the history of their endless love. I would like to add this to my collection of Napoleon and Josephine collections. I think that the movie was very well made. Thumbs up to to the Producer and to Warner Home Video. It would be much better if it was available for everyone who may have missed it!!! I would also like to purchase it so that I can watch it wherever and whenever. Do we know when this movie will be aired again in the United States??? Please let me know if you can help.
I need to know who may have it for sale and how I can go about purchasing it!!! I have been looking for years, without success.
PLEASE HELP!!!
Kimberly
srv777@peoplepc.com -
mikebrown-180512 January 2012A very awful film..full of inaccuracies, the main glaring one being the Italian campaign..the battle scenes taken from the films Waterloo and War and Peace.. a bit off putting when you see British Horse Artillery in Italy firing on the Army of Italy. As for Junot, they did not even try..a fat actor playing Gen Junot (head in hands) Nelson's captain at the Nile was not Hardy, but Edward Berry and that Nile battle scene was taken from the Hornblower film. And Nelson guessing straight off that Bonaparte was heading for Aboukir, lord help us. Imperial Guard dress in the Italian Campaign..no.no.no.no There are many more..but whoever advised on this film was no Napoleonic historian....1/10
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Kirpianuscus14 September 2018One of many soap operas. Interesting for the ambition to be more. And for the good job of Armand Assante. In essence, just romance. Using the history as tool for drama and tensions and love stories and the portrait of hero. One of great virtues - Anthony Perkins as Taleyrand. One of great sins - the battles. But, a decent serie. Nice, seductive, pink. Nothing extraordinary. But resonable.
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Stockard25 December 2003I really enjoyed this whole mini series. I was very lucky to find it as it has now been deleted here in Ireland. The only bad thing i have to say was that the beautiful Stephanie Beacham as Therese, was not in it enough! I have to say i enjoyed her character more that Josephine.
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orestamateescu14 September 2018Sure, not the historical accuracy represents its great virtue. But the more than reasonable Armand Assante as Bonaparte, the splendid Taleyrand by Anthony Perkins, the romanticism and the lovely performance of Jacqueline Bisset. It is a soap opera and its basic virtue is to look for be more one of many films from the genre using history as pretext. A nice serie about a love story. And that is ennough for see it.