Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining and enlightening
Review: NAPOLEON is a splendid A&E mini-series about one of the most famous generals/conquerors/rulers/reformers in history. This is an international production based upon the book by Max Gallo and is sympathetic towards BONAPARTE. Even at six hours, it can't cover all the details covered in hundreds of pages in hundreds of books. There are plenty of times you wish they had given a bit more background. Yet, it does an admirable job in giving you the essence and understanding of the period while being highly entertaining. Some of the international supporting cast seem a little wooden, but the stars do well in enlightening the characters and events. Christian Clavier gives a convincing, sympathetic, and understanding portrayal of Napoleon, although with little of his darker side. Isabella Rossellini enables you to see why Napoleon loved Josephine despite her philandering while he was away in his early years. (Yes, there is more to Josephine than appearances). John Malkovic plays a really smooth Talleyrand who as Foreign Minister survived and served multiple masters in the revolution, empire, and monarchy. The film begins in 1795 when Napoleon is a promising young officer. One of the most fascinating aspects of celebrities is seeing how they got to the top. The film adequately shows how Napoleon defended the revolutionary government against the rabble, was rewarded with a command in Italy where his brilliant leadership ability begin to shine, and overthru the murderous government ostensibly to forestall a return of the monarchy. Although his reign was relatively brief, less than twenty years, these were some of the most momentous events in European history and the film covers a variety of his personal, military, and political highlights. You see little of his lasting political reforms, but see why he was so momentous. His return from Elba with a handful of supporters, winning back the army to his side, and retaking the government illustrates his appeal and popularity. The film shines with lavish settings, palaces, and military maneuvers. Of course there are plenty of battles including Arcola, Austerlitz, Jena, Eylau, Aspern-Essling, and Waterloo. None of the battles get the full treatment like the Soviet version of many years ago, but while short, they are well done. You'll have to read books to find out why he was a military genius and pore over his tactics, but the film's battles make it clear that conquering, holding, and losing most of Europe wasn't easy. In sum, the film fulfills its promise to entertain and enlighten viewers with a brief overview about one of the most fascinating individuals in history and to show why our interest endures today. Then go on to learn the details by reading a book or reliving the era by playing a game. Napoleonic era boardgames is one of the largest and most detailed areas of gaming.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and enlightening
Review: NAPOLEON is a splendid A&E mini-series about one of the most famous generals/conquerors/rulers/reformers in history. This is an international production based upon the book by Max Gallo and is sympathetic towards BONAPARTE. Even at six hours, it can't cover all the details covered in hundreds of pages in hundreds of books. There are plenty of times you wish they had given a bit more background. Yet, it does an admirable job in giving you the essence and understanding of the period while being highly entertaining. Some of the international supporting cast seem a little wooden, but the stars do well in enlightening the characters and events. Christian Clavier gives a convincing, sympathetic, and understanding portrayal of Napoleon, although with little of his darker side. Isabella Rossellini enables you to see why Napoleon loved Josephine despite her philandering while he was away in his early years. (Yes, there is more to Josephine than appearances). John Malkovic plays a really smooth Talleyrand who as Foreign Minister survived and served multiple masters in the revolution, empire, and monarchy. The film begins in 1795 when Napoleon is a promising young officer. One of the most fascinating aspects of celebrities is seeing how they got to the top. The film adequately shows how Napoleon defended the revolutionary government against the rabble, was rewarded with a command in Italy where his brilliant leadership ability begin to shine, and overthru the murderous government ostensibly to forestall a return of the monarchy. Although his reign was relatively brief, less than twenty years, these were some of the most momentous events in European history and the film covers a variety of his personal, military, and political highlights. You see little of his lasting political reforms, but see why he was so momentous. His return from Elba with a handful of supporters, winning back the army to his side, and retaking the government illustrates his appeal and popularity. The film shines with lavish settings, palaces, and military maneuvers. Of course there are plenty of battles including Arcola, Austerlitz, Jena, Eylau, Aspern-Essling, and Waterloo. None of the battles get the full treatment like the Soviet version of many years ago, but while short, they are well done. You'll have to read books to find out why he was a military genius and pore over his tactics, but the film's battles make it clear that conquering, holding, and losing most of Europe wasn't easy. In sum, the film fulfills its promise to entertain and enlighten viewers with a brief overview about one of the most fascinating individuals in history and to show why our interest endures today. Then go on to learn the details by reading a book or reliving the era by playing a game. Napoleonic era boardgames is one of the largest and most detailed areas of gaming.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and enlightening
Review: NAPOLEON is a splendid A&E mini-series about one of the most famous generals/conquerors/rulers/reformers in history. This is an international production based upon the book by Max Gallo and is sympathetic towards BONAPARTE. Even at six hours, it can't cover all the details covered in hundreds of pages in hundreds of books. There are plenty of times you wish they had given a bit more background. Yet, it does an admirable job in giving you the essence and understanding of the period while being highly entertaining. Some of the international supporting cast seem a little wooden, but the stars do well in enlightening the characters and events. Christian Clavier gives a convincing, sympathetic, and understanding portrayal of Napoleon, although with little of his darker side. Isabella Rossellini enables you to see why Napoleon loved Josephine despite her philandering while he was away in his early years. (Yes, there is more to Josephine than appearances). John Malkovic plays a really smooth Talleyrand who as Foreign Minister survived and served multiple masters in the revolution, empire, and monarchy. The film begins in 1795 when Napoleon is a promising young officer. One of the most fascinating aspects of celebrities is seeing how they got to the top. The film adequately shows how Napoleon defended the revolutionary government against the rabble, was rewarded with a command in Italy where his brilliant leadership ability begin to shine, and overthru the murderous government ostensibly to forestall a return of the monarchy. Although his reign was relatively brief, less than twenty years, these were some of the most momentous events in European history and the film covers a variety of his personal, military, and political highlights. You see little of his lasting political reforms, but see why he was so momentous. His return from Elba with a handful of supporters, winning back the army to his side, and retaking the government illustrates his appeal and popularity. The film shines with lavish settings, palaces, and military maneuvers. Of course there are plenty of battles including Arcola, Austerlitz, Jena, Eylau, Aspern-Essling, and Waterloo. None of the battles get the full treatment like the Soviet version of many years ago, but while short, they are well done. You'll have to read books to find out why he was a military genius and pore over his tactics, but the film's battles make it clear that conquering, holding, and losing most of Europe wasn't easy. In sum, the film fulfills its promise to entertain and enlighten viewers with a brief overview about one of the most fascinating individuals in history and to show why our interest endures today. Then go on to learn the details by reading a book or reliving the era by playing a game. Napoleonic era boardgames is one of the largest and most detailed areas of gaming.
Rating: 
Summary: false advertising
Review: The locations and french uniforms are fantastic. HOWEVER, the two disks for the special edition each note that there are 4 hours programming on each (all the extras are on the third disk). This is false. There is only three hours tops on each disk. What gives? Also, some troops, particularly the British appear to be wearing "bargain basement" versions of the uniforms, for instance the British at La Haye Sainte. ...
Rating:
Summary: Non
Review: There is a curious and artificial feel to this mini series. It's like those old filmstrips that I used to watch in school. This version of Napoleon's life leave a lot out. The actor playing him was not appealing. The sets were lavish and the one scene showing the creation of the coronation painting was very nice but the whole thing just left me cold. It seems like a lot of effort went into making this film but somehow it just never came together.
Isabella Rosselini does a nice job playing Josephine as a ravaged by time coquette who is too old to play that game anymore but too in love not to try. I tried to like this film but I just couldn't.
Rating: 
Summary: AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE
Review: These are the pros: an excellent performance by Clavier!, gorgeous costumes, beautiful location and set photography, and the amazing story of a man who fought one war after another, changed the course of history, and ended, as all mortals, alone to face his maker. The cons? Very few. The Egypt and Waterloo sequences were much too brief, considering how important they are historically. I saw the complete series on DVD back to back, which is something I rarely do. It was compulsively watchable: thoroughly enjoyable and involving. The Abel Gance silent movie may be more "cinematic", but this one, by being straightforward, conveys more and is less distracting visually. The minisieries is not a work of art, but it is great entertainment.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Biased and Unfair Portrayal of Napoleon
Review: This DVD really angered me. It could have been so good! With all the time, money, and effort that went into the making of this miniseries, with the great cast they assembled, you'd think that they could come up with something better than a poorly disguised hatchet-job on one of the most successful leaders in History. Let me sum up how this DVD goes: Each military triumph that Napoleon enjoyed is brushed over and downplayed. His dramatic and unlikely rise to power was virtually ignored by the writers. Only the massive deaths, destruction, and negative aspects of Bonaparte's reign are focused on. Charges of nepotism, pride, ambition, greed, etc. are all fair accusations against Napoleon, but this miniseries goes overboard. I simply cannot put into words how unfair this entire DVD is to Napoleon. He certainly was not a noble man in many instances, but at least give credit where credit is due. One of the greatest military minds in the history of civilization deserves MUCH, MUCH better! The third disk of the DVD is the best of the bunch, as it features A&E features on Waterloo and Napoleon. These specials salvage two stars for a DVD that would otherwise deserve one. Save your time and money...
Rating:
Summary: GREAT MINISERIES!
Review: This is a great miniseries. Full of drama and insight. You'll love it! Grade: A+
Rating:
Summary: Not bad for TV
Review: This is a marvellous picture of the times, full of period detail and stirring scenes. It's made for TV so there is heavy emphasis on human interest and the love stories with lots of close-ups and melodramas in the "You don't love me anymore" manner. The battle scenes are well done. Yet a huge amount is missed out or skipped over. The Civil Code gets one line. The massive Battle of Borodino in the Russian campaign gets one line: "We defeated them at Borodino". Agreed that any one of these subjects could be a movie in itself, and A&E has to be given credit for making the most of their time. So I give it 3 start for entertainment and a sweeping overview of a fascinating figure, and one more star for the extras, in particular the additional clear narrated story of Wellington and Napoloeon and the battle of Waterloo which takes 1-1/2 hrs to fill in the history and describe this one battle. As one reviewer mentioned, to give this level of necesssary attention to all of Napoleon's adventures would give us days of film. Well done to all involved. The acting is excellent and there could not be a better casting of Napoleon than Clavier.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor - More impressionism than history
Review: Though often visually compelling, this film is a disjointed, tedious, difficult-to-follow mess. Disappointing as cinema, and nearly valueless as historical drama. The fine cast is wasted. [Refers to broadcast version.]
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