Joaquin Phoenix portrays Napoleon Bonaparte’s dramatic rise and fall in this sweeping biographical drama. Ridley Scott directs this historical epic, showcasing Bonaparte’s relentless ambition and military campaigns against the backdrop of 18th-century France. The film explores his complex relationship with Empress Josephine and the impact of his actions on France and Europe.
Does Napoleon have end credit scenes?
No!
Napoleon does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of Napoleon, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.
Tahar Rahim
Paul Barras
Vanessa Kirby
Josephine Bonaparte
Joaquin Phoenix
Napoleon Bonaparte
John Hollingworth
Marshal Ney
Youssef Kerkour
Marshal Davout
Jannis Niewöhner
Hippolyte Charles
Ludivine Sagnier
Theresa Cabarrus
Julian Rhind-Tutt
Sieyes
Paul Rhys
Talleyrand
Ben Miles
Caulaincourt
Rupert Everett
Duke of Wellington
Mark Bonnar
Junot
Miles Jupp
Emperor Francis I
Edouard Philipponnat
Tsar Alexander
Riana Duce
Lucille
Scott Handy
Marshal Berthier
Abubakar Salim
General Dumas
Thom Ashley
La Bedoyere
John Hodgkinson
Fouche
Erin Ainsworth
Hortense I
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In this epic biopic, Ridley Scott’s technical mastery and visual ambition stand out amid uneven narrative execution. The film excels in delivering grand battle sequences and striking production elements, though many critics found the extended runtime and plot cohesion challenging. Performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby earn praise for their intensity, but character arcs sometimes feel underdeveloped. Pacing issues and script bloat temper the adventurous spirit, yielding a film that impresses with spectacle yet falls short of full engagement across its duration.
The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Napoleon
Art & Craft
In terms of direction and cinematography, the film showcases Ridley Scott’s command of grand set pieces and intricate visual staging. Critics highlighted the majestic battle scenes and innovative use of color motifs, while occasional pacing choices drew mild criticism. Production design and editing deliver immersive environments, though a few sequences feel overextended. Overall, the art and craft impress with technical flair and scale, reinforcing the epic scope.
Character & Emotion
When it comes to acting and emotional depth, the leading performances garner mixed responses. Joaquin Phoenix’s restrained portrayal and Vanessa Kirby’s nuanced depiction are frequently lauded, contributing compelling character moments. However, some viewers reported limited emotional engagement and an underdeveloped romantic arc, diminishing resonance. The character dynamics offer moments of intensity but lack consistent depth, resulting in a portrayal that engages sporadically rather than continuously.
Story & Flow
In terms of plot coherence and pacing, the narrative encounters uneven momentum across its 2½-hour runtime. Observers pointed to fragmented transitions and repetitive sequences that challenge engagement, while others appreciated the unconventional structure and historical scope. The romantic subplot and expansive timeline introduce thematic breadth but contribute to narrative bloat. Consequently, the story delivers occasional insights yet struggles to maintain consistent drive throughout the film.
Sensory Experience
In terms of sensory experience, the film delivers a powerful audiovisual impact. Battle sequences combine dynamic sound design with sweeping camera work, and the score underlines dramatic tension effectively. Visual styling with intentional color palettes adds thematic resonance, though some viewers noted moments of stylistic excess. Overall, the soundtrack and visual cohesion reinforce the epic atmosphere, making the sensory dimension a primary asset of the production.
Rewatch Factor
When evaluating replay value, opinions diverge on the film’s lasting appeal. Admirers cite the immersive battle scenes and technical accomplishments as reasons for repeated viewings, while others find the pacing and narrative density diminish return visits. The standout performances and visual spectacle offer attractions worth revisiting for enthusiasts, but the film’s length and structural flaws limit its capacity to sustain engagement across multiple viewings.
64
Metascore
5.2
User Score
58%
TOMATOMETER
58%
User Score
6.3 /10
IMDb Rating
63
%
User Score
2.9
From 270 fan ratings
3.33/5
From 6 fan ratings
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Costume Design
Production Design
Visual Effects
Best Costume Design
Best Make Up & Hair
Best Special Visual Effects
Read the complete plot summary of Napoleon, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
In 1793, against the backdrop of the French Revolution, young army officer Napoleon Bonaparte witnesses the tragic beheading of Marie Antoinette via guillotine. Later that same year, Revolutionary leader Paul Barras appoints Napoleon to manage the Siege of Toulon. Demonstrating his military prowess, he takes the city and adeptly drives back British forces using artillery.
As the tide of the Revolution shifts following the fall of Maximilien Robespierre, French leaders, including Napoleon, strive to restore order. Once again deploying his artillery, Napoleon quashes a royalist uprising on 13 Vendémiaire, a pivotal moment in 1795.
In the midst of this turmoil, Napoleon pursues the aristocratic widow Joséphine de Beauharnais, portrayed by Vanessa Kirby, and the two eventually enter into marriage. Their personal lives, vibrant with passion, remain unfulfilled in terms of children. In 1798, during his military campaign in Egypt, Napoleon achieves a stirring victory at the Battle of the Pyramids, yet returns home hastily upon learning that Joséphine has taken a lover, the younger Hippolyte Charles.
Though the Directory criticizes him for abandoning his troops, Napoleon boldly condemns their ineffective leadership. Alongside key collaborators like Talleyrand, Fouché, Sieyès, and Ducos, he orchestrates a coup, rising to the position of First Consul.
In 1804, the ambitious Napoleon is crowned Emperor of the French by the pope—an event marked by his defiant act of placing the crown upon his own head. In a strategic bid for power, Talleyrand proposes an alliance to Austria, though the Austrians dismiss this overture. Undeterred, Napoleon showcases his military talent a year later at the Battle of Austerlitz, decisively defeating both Austrian and Russian forces and forcing a retreat over treacherous, frozen lakes.
Following his military triumphs, Napoleon’s mother pressures him to impregnate a mistress, proving that Joséphine is incapable of bearing children. In 1810, their marriage ends in divorce, culminating in a public confrontation where Napoleon slaps Joséphine when she initially refuses to acknowledge the decree. Despite this, they maintain an amicable relationship, exchanging letters filled with warmth. Subsequently, Napoleon marries Marie Louise of Austria, who shortly after gives birth to a son.
The year 1812 sees Napoleon invade Russia after Alexander backtracks on their peace agreement. Despite facing fierce resistance during the Battle of Borodino, he finds Moscow deserted and shortly thereafter set ablaze. With a significant loss of life on his retreat, Napoleon returns to France, having suffered a grave blow to his forces.
By 1814, a coalition of forces compels Napoleon to abdicate and sends him into exile on Elba. In 1815, upon hearing troubling news regarding Joséphine’s health, he makes a daring escape and returns to reclaim power in France. Tragically, Joséphine, now confined to the Château de Malmaison, passes away before he can reach her. King Louis XVIII dispatches the Fifth Regiment to detain him, but Napoleon’s charisma turns them to his cause.
At the Battle of Waterloo in June, Napoleon assembles an army to confront the British under the leadership of Rupert Everett](/actor/rupert-everett). However, French cavalry assaults meet fierce resistance from British infantry formations. In a desperate bid, Napoleon urges his remaining soldiers forward, but they are met with devastation inflicted by reconstituted enemy lines. As the situation deteriorates, the forces of Prussian Marshal Blücher arrive to support Wellington, breaking the French lines. In his retreat, Napoleon respectfully salutes Wellington.
Ultimately, Napoleon is exiled once more, this time to the remote island of Saint Helena. There, he engages with children, reflects on his life while penning memoirs that would later gain worldwide acclaim, and crafts a narrative of history portraying himself in a favorable light.
In 1821, Napoleon passes away, hearing the voice of Joséphine calling him to reunite. An epilogue poignantly notes the staggering toll of the Coalition Wars, which claimed around 3 million lives between 1792 and 1815.
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