What is real and what is fiction in Napoleon, Ridley Scott’s new film?

Napoleona biographical feature about the French statesman, starring Joaquin Phoenix (Joker, Beau’s Afraid) and directed by Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Alien: The Eighth Passenger)is now showing in Brazilian cinemas

The film addresses the origins of Napoleon Bonaparte and tells how he became a ruthless emperor, in addition to exploring the volatile relationship between him and his wife, JosephineInterpreted by Vanessa Kirby (The Crown, Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw). However, like any story adapted into a film or series, not everything is 100% true. In case of Napoleonthis is no different.

In an interview with the website Time Out, Michael Broers, professor at Oxford University and biographer of Napoleon, who helped develop the French emperor’s story for cinema, revealed what is true and what was “exaggerated” by Scott to make it look better in the film. Check out:

Did Napoleon witness Marie Antoinette’s execution?

Fiction. The film opens with a young Napoleon witnessing Marie Antoinette being guillotined in 1793. However, according to Broers, This did not happened. In fact, he saw her arrested, along with Louis XVI, a year earlier: “It made an unforgettable impression on him – he was terrified by that angry crowd – so Sir Ridley brought the two together there [no filme]”said the teacher.

Was Napoleon bad in bed?

Real. In your life, Napoleon was never known for his great skills in bed: “We know he was quite inexperienced when he met Josephine, because he told people and it’s in his memories,” he stated Broers.

Did Napoleon shoot at the pyramids in Egypt?

Fiction. In one of the sequences, Napoleon fires its cannons at the pyramids of Egypt, although this never actually happened. “I said this to Ridley Scott: ‘What’s up, shooting at the top of the pyramids?’ But he answered me: ‘Well, you laughed, didn’t you?’ That’s when I learned we were making a film, not a documentary.”remembered Broers.

Was Napoleon slaughtered by the newspapers?

Real. Second Broersthe newspaper attacks of the time against Napoleon were even worse than what is shown in the film Ridley Scott. Some specific situations, like when the Emperor betrayed Josephine or when he dealt with political problems, were even worse for him.

Did Napoleon keep the cannonball that killed his horse?

Fiction. In one of the film’s scenes, Napoleon he opens the carcass of his horse, killed during a battle, to recover the cannonball that killed him. However, this was something done just for the film. “I’ve never found any evidence that this actually happened,” he said. Broers.

Did Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington meet?

Fiction. In the film, there is a scene in which Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington meet on a warship, after the battle of Waterloo, to respectfully exchange a conversation. However, this meeting never happened and they never met outside of the battlefield.

About Napoleon

Napoleon has a script David Scarpa (The Day the Earth Stood Still) and, in addition to Phoenix It is Kirbythe cast still has Ludivine Sagnier (Lupine), Ben Miles (The Crown), Tahar Rahim (Extrapolations), Ian McNeice (Doctor Who), Catherine Walker (Marry me?), Youssef Kerkour (Home), Paul Rhys (The Discovery of Witches) It is Matthew Needham (The House of the Dragon), between others. Watch the trailer: