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Recently, Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated epic historical drama “Napoleon” made its debut in theaters, featuring Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role, depicting the rise and fall of the renowned French leader and exploring his intricate relationship with Empress Josephine, played by Vanessa Kirby. The star-studded cast also includes Tahar Rahim, Ben Miles, Ludivine Sagnier, Matthew Needham, and Youssef Kerkour.
While “Napoleon” has achieved moderate success at the box office, critical reception has been mixed. Despite commendation for the cast performances and battle scenes, the film has faced criticism for its historical inaccuracies, leading to disapproval particularly in France. Despite Scott and Phoenix defending the project by asserting that much of Napoleon’s life is open to interpretation, the film’s notable historical deviations have drawn negative attention.
Here are 10 instances of historical inaccuracies found in Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon.”
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10 Historical Inaccuracies in Ridley Scott’s Napoleon
Napoleon Was Not a Short Man
The historical inaccuracy highlighted in the film is linked to a widespread myth surrounding the French leader, giving rise to the “Napoleonic complex” social phenomenon. This myth suggests that Napoleon compensated for his perceived short stature by adopting an aggressive demeanor and pursuing power and conquest. Scott’s movie alludes to this misconception during a scene following the Battle of the Pyramids, portraying Napoleon standing on a box to examine a mummified pharaoh’s face up close. Interestingly, these height-related myths are unfounded, as Napoleon’s actual height was just over 5’6″, which was average for men during his time.
He Did Not Lead His Cavalry Charges
In various scenes of Scott’s film, Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Napoleon depicts him actively participating in battles, leading his troops, and engaging in combat alongside them, often on horseback and in perilous situations.
Contrary to this cinematic representation, historical accounts suggest that Napoleon typically observed battles from a safe distance and rarely exposed himself to physical danger on the front lines. Additionally, the film misrepresents Napoleon’s equestrian skills, as he was reportedly unskilled due to not completing his military riding training.
Josephine Never Suggested Divorce
Scott’s film emphasizes the central theme of Napoleon and Josephine’s love affair, tracing their romance from their initial encounter to the Empress’s final days, encompassing their marriage and eventual separation. The storyline portrays the disintegration of their union, attributing it to challenges such as their inability to have children and mutual infidelity. There’s a pivotal scene where Josephine openly discusses divorce with Napoleon, suggesting its inevitability given the circumstances.
In reality, Josephine entered into marriage with Napoleon primarily for the security and protection he could offer, leading to her ascent as a highly influential figure. Fearful of losing her influential role as Empress of France, it seems improbable that she initiated the idea of divorcing Napoleon.
Napoleon’s Mother Did Not Organize the Bedding Incident
In the aftermath of unsuccessful attempts by Napoleon and Josephine to have children, the situation in their marriage became increasingly tumultuous. Given the crucial need for an heir to the throne, Napoleon’s mother, Letizia, suggests in Scott’s film that he engage in a one-night stand with a young woman to definitively identify the source of the fertility issue between the couple.
However, this plot point may be deemed unnecessary, as historical records show that Napoleon had already fathered several illegitimate children from numerous extramarital affairs. Nevertheless, the film accurately portrays the disdain the Bonaparte family held for Josephine and their eagerness to remove her from Napoleon’s life.
There Was No Frozen Lake at the Battle of Austerlitz
Scott’s portrayal of Napoleon in the film has received widespread praise, particularly for its epic battle sequences. One of the most noteworthy scenes depicts the Battle of Austerlitz, showcasing Napoleon as a formidable military leader. In these intense moments, thousands of soldiers from the Austro-Russian army meet their demise in a frozen lake after being bombarded by Napoleon’s forces.
However, in reality, the Battle of Austerlitz did not involve a frozen lake. Instead, there were only a few small fishing ponds, which Napoleon instructed to be drained after the battle. This revealed just two human bodies and several horses, contrasting significantly with the dramatic depiction in the film.
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Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington Never Met in Real Life
In the film’s concluding scenes, the Battle of Waterloo unfolds, marking the decisive moment that concluded the Napoleonic Wars and led to Napoleon’s ultimate defeat. A post-battle sequence depicts a meeting between Napoleon and Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, held in Plymouth, England.
Historically, the relationship between these two figures is widely discussed, portraying them as formidable adversaries, particularly after the events at Waterloo. It’s important to note, however, that Napoleon and Wellesley never had a face-to-face encounter in reality. The closest they came to meeting was on the distant battlefield at Waterloo, where they were separated by a distance of over half a mile.
Napoleon Did Not Witness Marie Antoinette’s Execution
The historical inaccuracies in Scott’s film become apparent from the beginning, as it opens with the public beheading of Marie Antoinette at Paris’ Place de la Concorde in 1793 during the French Revolution. In this scene, a young Napoleon is depicted among the onlookers, which is not accurate. At the time of Marie Antoinette’s execution, Napoleon was actually on the opposite side of the country, fulfilling his role as an officer in the French army. Therefore, it would have been impossible for him to be present at this significant event in French history.
He Never Attacked the Egyptian Pyramids
The portrayal of Austerlitz’s frozen lake in Scott’s film is not the sole historical inaccuracy related to Napoleon’s battles. Another example is the depiction of Napoleon’s troops launching cannonball attacks on the Egyptian Pyramids, a scene that never actually occurred. Despite Bonaparte’s army engaging in the Battle of the Pyramids near these ancient structures in 1798, there is no historical evidence to support the claim that the pyramids were targeted.
Historian Dan Snow notes that it would have been physically impossible for cannonballs to reach the top of the Great Pyramid of Giza based on the positioning of the troops during the battle. Nevertheless, this fictionalized attack adds to the dramatic portrayal of one of Napoleon’s notable moments in the film.
The Age Gap Between Napoleon And Josephine
The age difference between Napoleon and his lover in Scott’s film is a major historical inaccuracy. When Napoleon first met Josephine, he was 26 and had broken off his engagement to pursue her. Josephine, six years older than Napoleon, had experienced the loss of her first husband during the Reign of Terror. This age gap may explain Napoleon’s apparent immaturity in romantic relationships and Josephine’s difficulty conceiving. However, the film does not accurately depict this, as Phoenix, who plays Napoleon, is 14 years older than Kirby, the actress portraying Josephine, significantly altering the dynamics between their characters.
“He came from nothing. He conquered everything.”
The movie’s promotional poster presents Phoenix brilliantly embodying Napoleon, accompanied by a powerful slogan: “He came from nothing. He conquered everything.” This tagline significantly raised anticipation for the film and added an air of mystique to Napoleon Bonaparte’s persona.
However, the slogan isn’t entirely accurate. Napoleon wasn’t born into nothingness but into minor nobility on Corsica, benefiting from his aristocratic lineage in establishing himself as a leader. Moreover, the claim that he “conquered everything” is also flawed. Despite numerous victories, he fell short of realizing all his ambitions, with Great Britain among the territories he failed to subdue.
The movie, depicting Napoleon’s story, is currently showing in theaters. Explore our video below to discover how Scott and Phoenix responded to criticism.
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