The release of Ridley Scott's latest historical epic, 'Napoleon,' has been making waves in the French box office, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics in France. The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon Bonaparte and Vanessa Kirby as Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, depicts the true story of Napoleon's rise to power and his tumultuous relationship with the empress.
Critics in France have had varying opinions on the film, with some praising it as a 'masterpiece' while others criticized it for historical inaccuracies. One particular criticism was the portrayal of French soldiers speaking with American accents, which some found unintentionally funny. Ridley Scott, in response to the negative reviews, somewhat controversially remarked that 'the French don't even like themselves.'
Historian Dan Snow also pointed out some historical inaccuracies in the film, including the claim that Napoleon 'came from nothing' when his father was, in fact, an aristocrat. He also noted discrepancies in the portrayal of events such as the Battle of the Pyramids and Marie-Antoinette's execution.
Joaquin Phoenix weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that viewers interested in a more accurate portrayal of Napoleon should do their own research and reading, emphasizing that the film is an 'experience told through Ridley's eyes.'
Interestingly, Ridley Scott has announced that the version of 'Napoleon' currently in theaters is not the final cut of the film. Similar to his past work on 'Kingdom of Heaven,' Scott plans to release an extended cut of the film, adding 110 minutes to the already 158-minute-long runtime.
Despite the mixed reviews and controversies, 'Napoleon' has still managed to perform well at the French box office, demonstrating the enduring fascination with historical epics and the enduring appeal of Ridley Scott as a filmmaker. It will be interesting to see how the film fares in the long run and whether the extended cut will address some of the criticisms raised by both critics and historians.