Watch Napoleon's Waterloo
- 2015
- 46 min
Napoleon's Waterloo is a 1927 silent film directed by Raymond Bernard. It tells the story of the battle of Waterloo, one of the most important events in European history. The film has been praised for its historical accuracy and its use of large-scale battle scenes, which were filmed with thousands of extras. The movie begins with the defeat of Napoleon's army in Russia, which leaves Napoleon (played by Albert Dieudonné) weakened and vulnerable. As he makes his way back to France, he is faced with mounting pressure from European powers to relinquish his power. Despite his fragile state, Napoleon decides to march on Brussels with his army in an attempt to regain control of Europe.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Wellington (played by Antonin Artaud) prepares his troops for the inevitable confrontation. Despite being outnumbered, Wellington is confident that he can defeat Napoleon's army with his highly skilled soldiers.
As the two armies prepare for battle, tension mounts and emotions run high. The battle scenes are depicted in stunning detail, with the use of explosions, smoke, and fire bringing the violence to life on screen. The film also includes a number of individual stories, such as that of a young soldier who goes into battle for the first time, and a wife who anxiously awaits news of her husband's fate.
As the battle rages on, both sides suffer heavy losses and the outcome of the conflict becomes increasingly uncertain. The film culminates in the brutal final moments of the battle, which see Napoleon's army defeated and the future of Europe forever altered.
Napoleon's Waterloo is a highly ambitious film that takes on one of the most sweeping historical events of all time. Its depiction of the battle of Waterloo is both thrilling and haunting, capturing the fear, bravery, and sacrifice of soldiers on both sides of the conflict. While it may seem dated by modern standards, the film remains a landmark achievement in both historical accuracy and cinematic storytelling.