Napoleon – DVD

Napoleon was born into a noble Corsica family of moderate distinction. Sent off to military school in France by his ambitious family was to set in motion a chain of events that would change the face of world. He grew up during the French revolution a time of disorder and distrust, yet his military genius and drive would see him rise above the chaos. He must navigate the difficult political waters of the new regime and the Consulate with the help of the inscrutable powerful nobleman Talleyrand (John Malkovich) and his arch enemy Fouche (Gerard Depardieu), the Minister of police. Napoleon's meteoric rise to military prominence begins with his victory over the Royalists in 1795, which is followed by successful military campaigns in Italy and Egypt. He marries the young and capricious Josephine de Beauharnais (Isabella Rossellini), the love of his life, who unfortunately cannot bear him any children. After a coup d'etat he seizes power in France and crowns himself Emperor. The establish powers of Europe are against this up start' Napoleon and his new France. Against incredible odds he strikes decisive victory at Battle of Austerlitz allowing Napoleon free to reorganize Europe and make his relatives into princes and kings. Napoleon has a plan to found an imperial dynasty to strengthen his position and so becomes increasingly fascinated by other women of distinction, including the young Polish patriot Marie Walewska, who bears him a son. However for his plan to work he needs to divorce Josephine and so marries the Austrian princess Marie-Louise, who gives birth to an imperial heir. Napoleon's ambitions can't rest and an attempt to bring the Tsar of Russia to his knees results in a massive defeat for his army and prompts the European powers to form an alliance against him. His Russian campaign was a step too far. In 1814, he is defeated in the Campaign of France, and is exiled to the island of Elba. Napoleon gathers all his strength one more time, escapes captivity and returns to France and wins the hearts of its people again. With a new army and burning desire to rule he goes into battle against the Allies at Waterloo knowing that victory means everything. br/