Can anyone figure out what kind of a story Ridley Scott was trying to tell? I saw at least three. First is a historically speculative dom/sub love story that might have been interesting as a standalone fictional movie by a better director. The second is a sketchy biography of Napoleon that leaves the viewer with little insight into or any real interest in the whiny lead character (I kept hearing Joker). The third is a kind of historical movie told in incidental but spectacularly filmed battles with non-historic "enhancements", apparently filmed to satisfy Scott's penchant for directing grand scenes.
The whole story is poorly told, with little educational and only limited entertainment value. You'll have to know your history to follow the movie, but if you know your history you'll be appalled. The costume and scenery departments did a fantastic job. The rest of this mess was a huge disappointment better consigned to the dustbin.
The whole story is poorly told, with little educational and only limited entertainment value. You'll have to know your history to follow the movie, but if you know your history you'll be appalled. The costume and scenery departments did a fantastic job. The rest of this mess was a huge disappointment better consigned to the dustbin.