[drumroll]
[guillotine falls]
[crowd cheering]
[breathes shakily]
[crowd shouting]
[guillotine falls]
[cheering]
- [crowd shouting]
- [breathing shakily]
[guillotine falls]
- [fife and drum playing]
- [cheering]
[horse hooves trotting]
[crowd jeering, clamoring]
Get back, you lot.
Get to the guillotine.
[jeering, clamoring continue]
[breathing shakily]
[grunts]
[grunts]
[sighs]
[drumroll]
- [laughing, cheering]
- The scourge of France!
[cheering]
- Terror is nothing more than justice.
- [people clamoring]
Prompt, severe, inflexible.
It is therefore an emanation of virtue.
[clamoring continues]
Now, she was guilty of three charges
against you:
depletion of the national treasury,
conspiracy against the internal
and external security of state,
and high treason for acting
in the interests of the enemy.
Mercy for the villains?
No.
Mercy for the innocent.
- Mercy for the unfortunate.
- [people cheering]
Mercy for humanity.
[clamoring]
[revolutionary] An inescapable outcome
of democracy's connection
in relation to the nation's
immediate demands at this moment...
The British navy have taken
the port of Toulon.
Half the French fleet
is trapped there.
If we lose those ships,
the Republic will fall.
Lucky for us, there are only
But we are short of a*tillery and led by
a general who was a court painter.
It is not necessary
to recapture Toulon itself.
The town is not a town.
The town is a port.
If the harbor's untenable
to the English fleet,
the town must surrender.
My brother, Captain Bonaparte,
as a*tillery officer,
has organized heated sh*ts
against English ships.
He has proven his commitment
to the Republic.
And how do you propose to take the harbor?
Capture the fort
that dominates the harbor,
and you have the city.
We must make an example,
or other cities will fall.
And I, for one,
will never let the royalists
or the English take my region.
[chuckles]
[people cheering]
- [horse whinnies]
- [soldiers chattering]
[soldier] Morning, sir.
General Carteaux?
He's over there.
[Napoleon] Lucien, my dear brother,
I am in Toulon already.
The troops are in a poor state, and your
conscripts untrained and undisciplined.
Without equipment and resources,
I see only failure.
We are collecting scrap iron to recast
small mortars more suitable for my plan.
If we do not succeed,
those in power will only see us as
Corsican ruffians unfit for higher office,
and our mother's ambitions
will be quashed.
[peddler 1]
That's it, madam. Fine eye you have.
- [peddler 2] There you go.
- [peddler 3] I'll still be here next week.
[people chattering]
[Napoleon]
The British control the big g*ns
that point out at their fleet offshore.
Take those g*ns, and we can fire
onto them and end this blockade.
[soldiers chattering]
[Napoleon] Surprise is my advantage,
but I will win by fire.
I cannot wait for your arrival.
Your brother, Napoleon.
[soldier] Oi, sh*t rag! Yes, you!
Move along now. Go on. Move!
Move them f*cking goats!
Last chance! f*cking move them goats!
[soldier 2 shouting]
[soldier]
You better f*cking move them now!
Do you understand?
[French soldiers whispering, grunting]
- [British soldiers singing, distant]
- [French soldier 1 shushes]
[British soldiers] ♪ He sat himself down
By the fire, my boys ♪
♪ To join in our jovial crew ♪
- [French soldier 2] Get in position.
- [French soldier 3] Quick, quick!
♪ By the chimney corner
Was his own place ♪
♪ Where he could sit
And dye his old face ♪
♪ When Jones's ale was new, my boys ♪
Quick, quick!
♪ When Jones's ale was new ♪
♪ Pints of beer and bottles of sherry
To help them over the hill so merry ♪
♪ When Jones's ale was new ♪
[breathing heavily]
[whispering indistinctly]
[grunting]
[whispering indistinctly]
[British soldiers singing
"Drunken Sailor," muffled]
[Napoleon] Fire!
[British soldier 1] We're under att*ck!
[shouting, clamoring]
[British soldier 2]
We're under att*ck! Grab your weapons!
[French officer 1]
Get those ladders up quick, men!
[breathes heavily, grunts]
[soldiers shouting]
[British officer] Fire! Hit your target!
[French officer 2]
Get the mortars up there!
[straining]
[horse whinnies]
Ready, boy? Ready, boy? Ready, boy?
[horse whinnies]
Oh, God! [grunts]
[panting]
[grunting]
- You all right?
- I'm fine.
[panting, wheezing]
[soldiers shouting]
[shouts]
[both grunting]
[shouts]
[French officer 2] Get the mortars!
[soldiers clamoring, shouting]
[British officer 2] Protect the cannons!
Into position!
[wheezing, panting]
- Vive la France!
- [French soldier 1] Vive la France!
[shouting, clamoring]
[screaming]
[Napoleon wheezing, panting]
Ready the cannons!
[French soldier 2] Sir! Yes, sir.
Mortars!
[French officer 3] Elevation 160.
- Fire!
- f*ring!
[Napoleon] Junot, heated sh*ts!
Fire!
Junot, fire!
Fire!
[shouting, clamoring]
- [Junot] Reload!
- [French soldiers] Reload.
Fire!
[Junot] Fire!
[French soldiers cheering]
[French officer] Shoulder, hold!
Captain Napoleon Bonaparte,
I award you the rank of brigadier general.
Long live the Republic!
[soldiers] Long live the Republic!
Long live the Republic!
Long live the Republic!
I promised you brilliant successes,
and I've kept my word.
[French officer] Order, hold!
[panting]
For Mother.
The current leadership of France has
passed from enthusiasm
to reckless ambition.
And the public perception
of the guillotine is lawless passion,
led by Robespierre.
He is unfit to rule.
[snoring]
- [knocks]
- Bonaparte.
- [people clamoring]
- [politician] France!
It has become increasingly clear,
Citizen Robespierre,
that your motivations are to use
this blade to your ultimate power!
[people clamoring]
Let me speak!
There is no man in this room
who has objected to my methods.
If you say I am guilty,
you are all guilty!
[Barras]
You are not a defender of freedom.
You have deemed yourself judge,
jury and executioner, have you not?
You're worse than Caesar!
Worse than Caesar!
You are, all of you, the traitors!
- Arrest him!
- [clamoring]
[grunts]
[panting]
[citizen] Get him.
- [clicks]
- [onlookers gasp]
[sighs]
[g*nsh*t]
[people muttering]
[Robespierre breathing heavily, groaning]
[choking]
[screams]
You missed.
[Robespierre wheezes]
The guillotine, my friend.
[prisoners clamoring, cheering]
- [audience laughing]
- [puppeteer screaming]
[audience groans]
[audience applauding]
[musicians singing]
[audience laughing]
[Barras chuckles]
[exclaiming]
[laughs]
[groans]
[growling]
[singing continues]
Ooh.
- [classical music playing]
- [people chattering, laughing]
[croupier] A seven, madame.
[ball guest] Deal again.
Deal again.
[croupier] Your bet.
Seven again.
No. No win.
I'll be out first. That's mine.
Why are you staring at me?
- Am I?
- Mmm.
- No, I was not.
- Yes.
Oh, you weren't?
I was.
I was staring at... at your face.
What is this costume you have on?
- This is my uniform.
- [scoffs]
- I led the French victory at Toulon.
- [chuckles]
Do not tell me your name.
[chuckles]
[clears throat]
- General?
- [Napoleon] Mmm?
There is a very young man who wishes
to see you.
His name is, uh, Eugène Beauharnais.
Mmm.
Ow.
[clears throat]
[Junot] Citizen.
General Bonaparte.
Yes?
My name is Eugène Beauharnais,
son of Joséphine Beauharnais.
What do you want?
My father's saber.
I-It was taken from him before
he was arrested and ex*cuted.
Yes?
I-It would mean a great deal to me and
to my mother if it were returned to us.
It's all we have of him.
The sword is a w*apon.
I cannot allow citizens
to have weapons in their possession.
The sword is a keepsake
for me to remember my dear late father.
Perhaps, but it is a w*apon nevertheless.
Young man, why are you here?
My mother said that you were the only man
of authority to retrieve the sword.
All of these are
from officers who were sentenced to die.
Did no one think
to attach names to any of them?
No, there are no names.
[bell rings]
General Bonaparte?
Thank you.
Is there reason to introduce myself?
No, General.
[Napoleon] Good.
My compliments to
the chef of this fine family.
[chuckling]
Would you like to sit closer?
[laughs]
[chuckling]
[Joséphine] Do I look like I'm in love?
Do you find him without appeal?
No.
Then perhaps that is enough.
Do not underestimate your grace.
[sighs]
[sighs]
[sniffs]
[groans]
When you look at me,
do you see an aristocrat?
No.
My husband had more than one lover.
And when his head was cut off,
all his mistresses watched.
When I was in prison, I was told the
only way to survive was to get pregnant.
So, General...
do I need warn you of my indiscretions?
No, madame.
Does where I have been concern you?
No, madame.
If you look down, you'll see a surprise.
And once you see it,
you will always want it.
[crowd clamoring]
People of France, don't be fooled.
There are more of us!
- [crowd cheers]
- We can occupy this Convention!
Long live the king!
[all chanting]
Long live the king! Long live the king!
[chanting continues]
[chanting continues]
No doubt you've seen
the chaos in the streets.
Yes.
There is a belief amongst the Committee
that there is an att*ck
on the Council coming by this mob.
I have less than 4,000 troops
and very little in the way of weapons.
There are 40 cannons in Sablons.
I could have them here in three hours.
This mob is 20,000 strong.
Yes.
As my second-in-command,
what would you intend to do
if this assignment of defense
was transferred to you?
I accept, on the condition
that I command this as I see fit.
Without interruption.
I will not lead as second-in-command.
[soldiers shouting, clamoring]
Come on!
[chanting, shouting]
Fire!
[screaming]
[whimpering]
According to
the law of 20th September, 1792,
Marie-Josèphe-Rose Tascher,
born 23rd June, 1767, in Martinique,
accepts as her husband Napoleon Bonaparte,
born February, 1768, in Ajaccio, Corsica.
Do you consent?
- Yes.
- I do.
[court official] Do you consent?
Yes. I do.
I declare you united in marriage.
- [kissing]
- [Joséphine chuckling]
[guests] To the savior of the Republic!
[guest 1] And to Madam Bonaparte.
[guests] To Madam Bonaparte.
[guests chattering]
This guy right next to me?
[continues indistinctly]
- [Joséphine] Mmm.
- [guest 2] He wants my saber.
[grunting]
Let that good work make us a son.
[panting]
[sighs, inhales deeply]
[Napoleon] Dear Joséphine,
I follow in the footsteps
of Alexander the Great and Caesar,
as I have been sent to liberate Egypt.
I have 40,000 men,
and the sights are wondrous,
and the weather is stifling hot.
I have already conquered Italy,
who surrendered without conflict.
[Egyptian officer shouting]
[Napoleon] The Directory has approved
my plan for attacking England
through their eastern empire.
But my achievements seem slight,
as they keep us apart.
[Egyptian soldiers chanting]
[shouting]
[grunts]
[horse whinnies]
[Napoleon] Dear wife,
This love I have for you
is a kind of death.
There is no survival for me except in you.
Hello again.
[Napoleon] What are you doing?
No letters from you.
Good morning, Lucille.
[Napoleon] If you loved me,
you'd write me twice a day.
Tell me there are no snakes in your bed,
in your legs, inside what is mine.
You must write me and tell me
that you realize that I love you
beyond the limits of imagination,
that only you can please me.
[indistinct shouting]
[soldier chuckles]
Are there limits to what I can tell you?
There shouldn't be.
Should I tell you something
at the risk of giving you personal pain?
Yes. [chuckles]
Your wife has taken
a lover named Hippolyte Charles.
[laughing]
- You expect me to believe this? [laughs]
- Yes. [chuckles]
That my wife would do this to me? Mmm.
Yes.
No dessert for you. You may leave.
I would never lie to you.
How do you know this?
Lucille is my lover. She writes to me.
Joséphine's lady-in-waiting is your lover?
Prepare two frigates and two
smaller vessels in the greatest secrecy.
I'm returning home.
- Napoleon...
- Hmm?
...this will be seen as desertion.
General Kléber will be informed of
his succession in command after I've left.
[cheering]
[citizen] Napoleon the victorious!
[sighs]
[citizens cheering]
[carriage driver] Hyah, hyah, hyah!
Where's my wife?
She has left to greet you in Lyon.
- [dog yelps]
- Do not lie to me. Where is my wife?
She left earlier today, General.
- Lyon?
- Yes, sir.
The entire world knows of my arrival,
but not my wife?
[dog whining]
[thunder rumbling]
[groans, gasps]
[whimpers]
[crying, breathing shakily]
[bell rings]
- [dogs barking]
- [thunder rumbling]
[Napoleon] What kind of creature are you?
How could you care so little
- for me and my feelings?
- [groans]
You are a selfish little pig.
[mutters]
Do you think so lowly of me?
No. I don't.
Then why?
Because you're what? Say it.
I'm sorry.
That's not enough.
[sighs]
- What do you... What do you want me to say?
- I want you to say
that I am the most important thing
in the world!
You are.
- Say it!
- You're... You're... You're... You're...
You're the most important thing
in my life, in the world. You a...
- And without me, you are nothing.
- I'm nothing.
And you will do anything!
I'll do anything.
I'm not built like other men.
And I'm not subject to petty insecurity.
You're a beast.
I feel sorry for you.
You want to be great?
Hmm?
You are nothing without me.
Say it.
Say it.
You are just a brute
that is nothing without me.
I am just a brute
that is nothing without you.
Yes.
You are nothing without me
or your mother.
[Napoleon breathing heavily]
My mother...
[sighs]
[Joséphine sighs]
Did you have affairs?
Of course I did.
And did you love them?
No. No, I did not.
Were they pretty?
Yes, some of them.
They served their purpose.
More than I do?
They cried less.
That made them more attractive.
Don't...
Don't leave me. Please, don't leave me.
[whispering] Just don't leave me.
You don't have to forgive me.
Just promise me you won't leave again.
What is it that made you desert
your troops in Egypt?
Shh!
Citizens...
what country are we in?
Because she doesn't resemble
the France that I left.
Who should be responsible
for her governance while I'm away?
Because it is not you, Citizen Gohier.
It is not you.
It certainly is not you.
Although you're very good at scowling.
It is not you, Barras.
Or you, Talleyrand.
Or you, Sieyès.
So, who?
Who should be responsible?
Fouché, do you have any ideas?
- No?
- [sighs]
I have returned to France
to find her bankrupt.
Printing money that is spent within hours,
the Austro-Russian overrun of Italy,
the Anglo-Russian occupation of Holland,
and what appears to be
the imminent invasion of France herself.
And yet, you accuse me of desertion.
Added to which the discovery
that my wife is a slut.
The only thing that every French citizen
can agree on is that you are our Caesar.
What do you want?
[chuckles]
Well...
the people would accept my rule
if I have your support.
Like you, though,
I believe that the Directory is corrupt.
But together, we can save this country
from a restoration of the monarchy,
and we can preserve
the ideals of the Revolution.
And I think that
a seizure of power is possible
with your help, at the right time.
And I think this is the right time.
So, you expect me to be your sword?
[chuckles]
I expect that a coup d'état,
well-timed, well-ex*cuted...
could transfer power
into the hands of three consuls:
myself, Ducos...
and you.
[scoffs]
I'm inviting you to the winning side.
[chuckling]
Hmm?
It's a simple letter of resignation
we would like you to...
I am not signing anything.
You can piss before I sign anything away!
Gentlemen.
[panting]
[grunting]
[shouts] Who's doing this?
Good morning, Paul.
Hmm.
I'm going to make this very simple
for you.
I have documents announcing
your resignation from the Council.
You must retire
before you have your breakfast, please.
Tell them I return with joy
to the ranks of simple citizen.
I shall.
[knocking]
There are some gentlemen here to see you.
Citizen Moulins, we have
a letter of resignation for you to sign.
- No, no, no. I am eating my breakfast.
- [spouse] No.
I am enjoying a succulent breakfast.
This is outrageous! I shall finish
my breakfast before you touch me!
- [cries] No!
- Enjoy your breakfast.
[wailing]
[Council member 1] Director!
I believe the time has come
to demand an explanation.
- [Council member 2] Hear, hear!
- [clamoring]
Uh, thi-this emergency session
is to draw a list of nominations
for a... a new Directory
to deal with the thr*at...
- [members clamoring]
- the thr*at of the royalists.
We are being asked to pass a resolution
forming a provisional government
to three councils:
General Bonaparte and Citizen Sieyès
and Roger Ducos.
Where are the five members
of the Directory?
[members clamoring]
[Council member 1]
Have they magically disappeared?
- [Council member 3 chuckles]
- And we are here, surrounded by troops,
isolated far from Paris.
- [clamoring]
- Order! Order!
[Council member 1]
This is becoming increasingly clear:
that your brother, Napoleon Bonaparte,
with his show of m*llitary might,
is acting as an outlaw.
- [members clamoring]
- [Lucien] I vow to solve this matter.
[Council member 1] And that this is
a ridiculous and poorly ex*cuted takeover.
A power-hungry upstart.
- [members shouting]
- [Napoleon] Enough! Enough!
If there is any question
of what is happening here, I will answer!
How dare you!
This is...
You have violated the constitution!
- You have...
- [Council member 4] Hold him!
- [Council member 5] Get him!
- [struggling]
[all clamoring]
- Arrest him!
- Stop him!
[panting]
Oh, f*ck!
[Council members shouting]
[yelps]
[Council member 6] k*ll him!
[grunts, panting]
[guards straining]
- [mutters]
- Let me through!
Right. [pants]
We are being terrorized
by deputies armed with daggers!
And these madmen have outlawed themselves
by their attempt
on the liberty of this country!
- They're trying to k*ll me!
- They're trying to k*ll him.
- [Council member 7] Open these doors!
- [grunts]
[Lucien grunts]
[Council member 3] Let us out of here!
I will k*ll my brother if he betrays
the freedom of the French people!
Get in there now!
- [Lucien] f*ck.
- [guards shouting]
[guard 1] Move, move. Get back. Back.
[guard 2] Move it. Move it!
- [guard 3] Back. Move back.
- [guard 4] Move back. Out of the way.
[guard 5] Move, move. Backwards.
[Council members gasping]
Good luck, brother.
[Napoleon panting]
Stand aside.
Shall we vote?
Where are we going?
[people cheering]
All our harsh words are behind us.
I need you to be my most tender friend.
Over this door is our destiny.
[cheering continues]
[French officer] Present arms!
- [aristocrat] First Consul.
- My lord.
Milady.
[inhales sharply]
- Citizen Bonaparte.
- Citizen Bonaparte.
- First Consul.
- Citizen Bonaparte.
First Consul.
Come, little one.
You get into the bed of your master's.
[chuckling]
[aristocrats chattering]
Hello, madame!
Hello, good evening.
Mother, the Duke of Avignon.
It's good to meet you.
Ah. Could this be Joséphine?
- Mother, Joséphine. Joséphine, Mother.
- [Letizia] Good to see you.
Oh, it's Charles.
This way.
[scribe] "Your Majesty, England
and France are wasting their prosperity."
Let me try again.
- Your Royal Majesty, England and France...
- [clears throat]
- are wasting their prosperity...
- Your... Your Majesty.
What did I say?
[stammers]
"Your... Your... Your Royal Majesty."
"Your Royal Ma"... [inhales deeply]
Your Majesty, England
and France are wasting their prosperity.
I am not ashamed to take the initiative.
I have, I think,
sufficiently proven to the whole world
that I do not fear the chances of w*r.
But peace is my heartfelt wish
for England and France.
Read it back to me.
I have notified all foreign powers
of your accession to the Consul,
I have addressed letters
to all diplomatic agents abroad,
and I understand that you have made
friendly overtures of peace to England.
Ca-Caulaincourt.
What I need from you is
a better understanding
of the Russian Tsar Alexander.
Would you consider the tsar an ally
to England or France?
Well, I would think that his trade
with England is more beneficial to him
than his trade with France.
And do you have a sense of
British influence in the Russian courts?
[Caulaincourt] I do not,
but I imagine it is quite robust.
Robust?
What kind of man is he? Describe him.
Well, he's young. [sighs]
- He's vain.
- [scoffs]
He's popular, and he wishes to remain so.
He's popular?
Really?
His greatest fear is to be k*lled
in his bed, like his father.
[laughs]
This makes him dangerously fickle
to whoever last has his attention.
So he needs an ally
that he can also call a friend.
No more bets.
What a surprise.
How nice to see you out.
Excuse me, gentlemen.
Good evening.
I'm just trying to lose some money.
Ah. Well, after this hand,
why don't you come and join me?
I'm at my usual table.
That's a lovely idea.
Good evening.
Mmm. Did you hear?
Your Majesty received a letter of peace
from the First Consul today.
Monsieur Talleyrand, if I may be honest?
Of course.
Austria's coalition with England is
in such a strong position against France,
that these peace overtures are clearly
only for your handling
of French public opinion.
[chuckles] Oh, my friend.
- You know me so well.
- [diplomat chuckles]
Yes, it is true.
It is public opinion Napoleon is after.
But my warning to you
is that he's as hungry for it
as any man in the history of the world.
So my suggestion, with respect,
would be to take
this little offering of peace from him...
or suffer the consequences
from a man bent on peace at any cost.
The English ambassador, Lord Whitworth,
has arrived, Consul.
Do not look at me as if
you don't know what I'm about to say.
Are you aware of my letter of peace
to your king?
I am not.
Shall I repeat it?
[inhales deeply] No, you may not. [sighs]
Take this as a warning to your king.
I will keep you guessing and scared.
You will watch your borders and your back,
and your manners are bound,
sooner or later, to be French.
I will offer no more letters of peace,
and I will take the lack of a swift reply
as an act of disrespect!
You think you're so great
because you have boats!
'Tis a shame such a great man
should have no manners.
Yes?
Are you pleased?
Are you about to tell me
something that will make me angry?
Let's hope not.
The European families think
nothing more of you than a Corsican thug.
- Therefore...
- [chuckles]
...I'm going to suggest something
that's been a long time arriving.
I suggest that you abandon
your role as First Consul of France
in exchange for the title
"Victorious Consul."
By another name, "king."
[chuckles]
What?
[scoffs] "King."
Uh, yes, king.
King?
- [chuckles]
- Mmm.
[murmuring]
My hair has been set.
- [murmuring continues]
- The way you like it.
- [whines]
- [scoffs] Oh, you filthy man.
My hair has been set now.
[murmuring continues]
I have the most beautiful wife.
- [whines]
- I... All right, come on then.
Hat off.
Mmm.
[grunts]
Give me your hand. Give me your hand.
- You feel that?
- [sighs] What?
Can you feel that?
- That's yours. That's yours.
- [breathing heavily]
It's yours.
Thank you.
[grunts, breathing heavily]
[chuckles] Oh.
[Napoleon] Mmm.
Oh. [chuckles] Stop.
Why aren't you pregnant?
Is that a question,
or is that an accusation?
- [Napoleon] Mmm.
- [sighs]
It was a question.
[grunts, chuckles]
Now it's an accusation.
Well, I've seen Dr. Corvisart,
and he has no answer.
Only that I do
what Madame de Rémusat has done.
[Napoleon] Which is?
[sighs] Which is...
along with hopeful thinking
and a bit of red wine,
he suggested I take the waters
at Aix-la-Chapelle.
And why haven't you?
As wife of the First Consul,
I haven't found the time.
I spend many hours cleaning up after you.
Find the time.
[inhales sharply] I don't need to explain
to you the importance of this, do I?
What, you want an heir?
I want one now.
[smacking lips]
- [chuckling]
- [Napoleon growling]
- [growling continues]
- [laughing]
Oh, my God. [gasps, chuckles]
- [growls]
- [chuckles]
[choir singing in Latin]
[song ends]
May God affirm you on his throne,
and Christ give you to rule with him
in his eternal kingdom.
[attendees gasping]
I found the crown of France in the gutter.
I picked it up with the tip of my sword
and cleaned it...
and place it atop my own head.
[attendees murmuring]
The most glorious,
the most august Napoleon,
emperor of the French,
is crowned and enthroned!
Long live the emperor!
[all] Long live the emperor!
Long live the emperor!
[choir singing in Latin]
[tapping]
[Napoleon] I do not support this idea.
You suggest divorce after years of debate.
You can see that it has me divided.
[Talleyrand] Mmm.
[sighs]
I am not ambitious.
I've never declared w*r with anyone.
No.
You are the greatest leader
in the history of the world
and the world's only chance at peace.
The security of the empire and peace
in the world depends upon an heir.
[sighs]
[dinner guests chattering]
[Joséphine] It was an option. [chuckles]
And I said it at the time.
[Napoleon] Are you enjoying yourself?
I'm going to w*r to defend our people,
and my wife cannot provide me an heir.
If you do not bear me a child tonight,
there will be a divorce.
Hasn't been enough lovemaking
in this home to bear a child.
Yes, there has.
- [Joséphine sighs]
- There have been years of it. Years.
And with more than just me.
- [inhales deeply] Oh.
- And still you are empty.
And you're fat.
I enjoy my meals. I do.
Destiny has brought me here.
Destiny has brought me this lamb chop.
[yelps]
Joséphine.
[sniffles]
- Come then.
- [sniffles]
Come.
[sighs]
I love your talents and your taste.
And while I'm away,
I will miss your grace.
- [sighs]
- And your dignity.
And I will come back to you.
[sighs]
[horse whinnying]
[Austrian soldiers chattering]
[Austrian soldier shouts]
[Austrian soldier shouts]
To today's victory. Hmm?
Look, I'm always here for you, Francis.
But I must admit, I'm overwhelmed
with the excitement of the b*ttlefield.
I should not deceive you, Alexander.
This battle against him will be brutal
and terrifying.
[sighs]
[French soldiers shouting]
[grunting]
- [soldiers grunting]
- [officer] Come on!
Get in defensive position!
[Napoleon] My good wife, Joséphine.
My God, it's cold here.
I miss your warmth.
On this day, we celebrate
the first anniversary of our coronation.
My previous ally
has now joined with my enemy.
The Russian Tsar Alexander
joined forces with the prince of Austria.
I have heard that
he's been studying the art of w*r
and trying to emulat
my battle tactics.
More fires.
He tries to copy me,
but he is a little boy
who will make a terrible mistake.
I am certain I will bring the laurels of
another glorious victory to my army today.
Yours, Napoleon.
- [shouts]
- [French soldiers cheering]
Hey, tie it from the back.
Peg that corner to the ground.
That's it.
[French soldier shivering]
f*ck. [inhales shakily]
[Russian soldier speaking Russian]
- [horse blusters]
- [speaking Russian]
[breathing heavily]
- Your Majesty.
- Mmm?
We are discovered.
Good.
Tell the men to rest.
[sighs]
[Russian soldier speaking Russian]
I-N-F-S.
Infantry sighted.
I-M-T.
Imminent!
[clamoring]
Stand to!
- [officer 1] Stand to!
- [officer 2] Stand to!
- Stand to!
- Stand to.
- [officer 3] Wake up, men. Get ready!
- [soldiers] Stand to!
[officer 4] Come on, get up!
[panting]
[cavalry approaching]
[breathing shakily]
[Austrian soldier shouting]
Wait, wait.
[officer 5] Ready!
Wait! Let them think
they have the higher ground.
[cavalry approaching]
[Austrian soldier 1 shouting]
[Austrian soldier 2 shouting]
[all shouting]
[French soldier 1] Fire!
Fire away!
[French soldier 2] Fire at will!
[all shouting]
Send in the infantry.
Take their position on the higher ground.
At the double.
- [French soldier 3] Take the ground!
- [all shouting]
[g*nf*re]
Cavalry from the west.
Pierce their flanks.
Retreat! Withdraw!
[Austrian soldier 3] Withdraw!
[Austrian soldier 4] It's a trap!
Retreat!
[horses whinnying]
[grunts]
[panting]
[shouts]
- [Napoleon] Uncover the cannons.
- [French officer] Cannons!
- [Napoleon] Fire!
- [French soldiers] Fire!
[French soldier 4] Reloading!
[screams]
[screaming]
[French soldier 5] Keep to the one side.
[Austrian general 1] Off the ice!
[screaming]
[screaming]
[grunting, screams]
[grunting, groaning]
Renounce, sir. We're pinned in.
Off the ice! Withdraw!
Cut off their retreat.
Hyah, hyah, hyah!
Hyah, hyah, hyah!
[screaming]
[gasps]
Francis. So nice to finally meet you.
Please come in where it's warm.
- Thank you.
- You must forgive me.
This has been my only palace
for the last two months.
Seems very agreeable.
You make excellent use of it.
Well, we do what we can
on the b*ttlefield.
- Yes, we do, don't we?
- Mm-hmm.
It's nice to finally meet another emperor.
Uh, where, may I ask, is Alexander?
Are we waiting for his arrival
before we get started?
I do not believe he will be joining us.
- He's beside himself with rage.
- [sighs]
I realize I must compliment you
for making me commit an enormous error.
- An error?
- [Napoleon] Yes.
What error have you made?
To be speaking with you here
and accepting this invitation for peace,
I have not followed up my victory.
I could have taken the whole Russian
and Austrian army prisoners.
Yes.
But after all, there will be less tears.
And I know you will remember
this gesture of kindness. Yes?
Thank you. [sighs]
Toast?
To friendship, a glorious peace
and the best interest of Europe.
Mmm. Burgundy.
- [classical music playing]
- [chattering, laughing]
- [dog whines]
- [whines] Hold on.
- [barks]
- Hey, whoa, whoa!
- [chuckling]
- Whoa, we don't say woof.
Okay. [babbles]
That's my boy. Attaboy.
Come here. Come here.
Sit, sit, sit. [babbling]
- [dog barks]
- [barks]
It is time to put this mystery to rest,
Emperor.
I want to know if it's you or Joséphine.
And to that end, we will conduct
a very practical experiment.
At the end of the hallway... Take this...
Waiting for you, undressed,
ready to receive,
is 18-year-old
Eléonore Denuelle de La Plaigne.
She's brunette with brown eyes.
And the object of this, well,
hardly unpleasant task is to see
if you can father a child.
- And then we will have an answer...
- Mmm.
...to this nagging question
of who is keeping who from an heir
to the throne of France.
[sighs]
Shall we go?
May I have another, please?
[chattering, laughing]
The girl is pregnant.
You made her pregnant. [chuckles]
[Napoleon] Mm-hmm.
[chattering, laughing]
Uh, I know I didn't see her.
[speaking indistinctly]
When are you going to insist we divorce?
Oh, isn't that wonderful?
From the only woman that I've ever loved
and given all that I've conquered.
I'm just too tired to wait
for you to tell me what I know is coming.
If you insist.
[sighs] I'll make it easy for you.
[sighs] I know
you will have a bastard child.
If I succeed in making the birth of a boy
that I shall call my own son,
I want you as a witness
to pretend the confinement of the empress.
[stammers] Your Highness,
you are asking me to lie about the status
of the mother of your heir.
That is another way of putting it, yes.
[scoffs]
Emperor... [sighs]...it is my honor
and my duty, of course,
to do as you require of me.
But if asked, I cannot contain
that which I know to be the truth.
And painful though it is,
the truth is that the empress is
no longer capable of bearing you a child.
My good Joséphine. [sighs]
Hmm?
You know how I've loved you.
It is you, to you alone,
that I owe the few moments
of happiness I have known in this world.
Hmm.
My destiny is more powerful than my will.
And my affections must yield
to the interests of my people.
[chuckling]
The imperial decree
for the dissolution of the marriage
between the Emperor Napoleon
and the Empress Joséphine.
[sniffles]
"My people desire that this throne,
where providence has placed me,
would be given to my children.
However, I have lost hope
of having children from my marriage
to my beloved wife, Empress Joséphine.
I have then been led to listen
only to the good of the state
and to want the dissolution
of years of my life."
[Josephine chuckles]
[grunts]
You have embellished my life for 15 years.
The memories of which
will remain forever etched in my heart.
[sniffles]
[sniffles]
"Our marriage has become an obstacle
for the prosperity of France." [chuckles]
"She has been deprived
of one day being governed
by the descendants
of the man brought to us by providence
to mend the evils of a terrible revolution
and restore faith, the throne
and the social order."
Sorry.
[stammers, coughs]
- Emperor. Wait.
- Go. No, listen, listen. All right?
This is for your country.
That's what this is, all right?
- [whimpers]
- Now say it.
Say it.
"Our marriage has become an obstacle
for the prosperity of France.
Agreeing to the dissolution
of our marriage,
as I must, does not change my feelings.
The emperor will have in me
a-always his... his truest friend."
[Napoleon breathes shakily]
[sniffling]
[Joséphine] Emperor,
you have just pronounced the word
which separates us forever.
Your mistaken ambition has ever been
and will continue to be the guide
of all your actions.
Nevertheless,
you can never doubt the sincerity
of my wishes for your happiness.
May it at least afford me
some consolation for my sufferings.
- Yours, Joséphine.
- Thank you.
- Good morning, madame.
- Thank you. What's your name?
- Fleur.
- Fleur. Pleasure.
[chuckling]
I miss you.
Marital life is very agreeable now.
You've shown such great courage so far.
[sighs]
You must maintain it.
Do not permit yourself
to fall into melancholy.
You look best when you're happy.
Please take care of your health.
It is precious to me.
Will you write me tomorrow?
Mm-hmm.
And the next day?
Yes.
And the day after that?
Mm-hmm.
- And the day after that?
- Yeah.
Good.
[kisses]
[door closes]
Once, an English ambassador
challenged my reasons for w*r.
He said,
"You French, you fight only for money,
while we English, we fight for honor."
I replied,
"Everyone fights for what they lack."
[chuckles, stammers]
This is not... This is not your story.
This never happened to you, did it?
Of course it did.
- Of course it did.
- What do you mean?
We had the same saying
with my people and the Turks.
- [chuckles]
- Do you?
The English lack honor.
We can agree on that.
- [Alexander] Listen, there is... [sighs]
- [mosquito buzzes]
There's nothing I think we can agree
more with than our hatred for Britain.
I just have to say that it actually...
It would be my absolute pleasure
and honor if I could call you my brother.
There is a way for you to call me brother.
Last night, at dinner, I was... [sighs]
...charmed by your sister.
[chuckles]
Is she spoken for?
Ah. Sadly, yes.
She's to be married
to the Duke of Oldenburg, I'm afraid.
Uh, and what of her younger sister? Anna?
[stammers]
Is there a formal offer for Anna?
- [mosquito buzzes]
- [blows]
[chuckles]
Uh, well, you see, An-Anna,
she's 15 years old.
That is a detail.
[mosquitoes buzzing]
Our friendship is built on
our mutual distrust of England.
When we hold to the Continental Blockade,
we choke them from the trade,
and we fight for our most sacred rights.
That is what is important between us.
I just had a thought.
- No.
- No, say it.
- Should I tell you?
- Please.
Imagine an army. 50,000 men.
Russians, Frenchmen,
perhaps even Austrians,
marching by way of Constantinople
into Asia
would have only to reach the Euphrates
to make England tremble
and bring her down on her knees
- before the continent.
- [chuckles]
It is incredible.
Toast.
[sighs]
- To you.
- To us.
His Majesty, the Emperor Napoleon,
wishes to make a formal offer to Austria
and to His Majesty, King Francis,
for the hand
of the archduchess, Marie-Louise.
His eldest daughter.
No.
Uh, this union would bring together
Austria and France
in an unbreakable matrimonial bond.
[in German] Is this a joke?
[in German] I may find it humorous...
but His Majesty does not.
[in English]
Did you have a pleasant journey?
It was wonderful. Thank you.
You're quite petite.
I'm not accustomed to that.
[Marie-Louise chuckles]
How do I look to you?
Do I resemble my portrait?
Oh, yes.
And even more handsome and strong.
And you are even more handsome,
more be-beautiful.
[chuckles]
I hope you're pleased with your choice.
I hope so too.
Would you like to see the bedroom?
[chuckles] Yes, thank you.
Your Majesty, your son.
[breathing shakily]
[doors close]
[soldier shouts, distant]
- Hello.
- [baby fusses]
[soldiers shouting, distant]
- [soldier] Fire!
- [distant g*nf*re]
- [baby crying]
- Oh. [shushing]
[crying stops]
[shouting continues, distant]
My little king.
[carriage driver] Hyah, hyah, hyah!
[horse hooves approaching]
[carriage driver] Hold.
[baby fusses]
[baby coos]
[baby grunts]
[coos]
[cooing]
Oh, sweet child.
[baby grunts]
One day, you will understand
what I have sacrificed for you.
[baby cooing]
[sighs]
[Napoleon]
My dear Joséphine, I'm sad today.
Tsar Alexander has turned against me
and forced me to inv*de Russia.
He's decided to open his ports
to England while taxing the French.
I must wipe away my melancholy
and begin the march to Moscow.
I've convinced the heads of Europe
of this resolution,
and so I command the combined forces
of France, Austria, Italy,
Germany and Poland.
I see nothing but success in my future.
[French soldier 1]
Keep your lines. Steady.
[French soldier 2] To the front.
[French soldier 3] Keep your step.
[speaking Russian]
- [shouting, grunting]
- [French soldier 1] Take cover!
[French soldier 2] Get down!
[French general] Get down! Get down!
[Russian soldiers speaking Russian]
[French general] Hyah, hyah! Hyah!
After them! After them!
[grunts]
[Russian soldier grunts]
[grunting]
Whoa, whoa.
- [horse nickering]
- Whoa.
[horse whinnies]
- Get back! Drop back. Retreat.
- [grunts] Fall back!
[soldiers shouting]
[Napoleon] My dear Joséphine.
I'm writing to you because I have just won
a great battle today.
Tomorrow we will resume our advance.
Moscow is now only 200 miles away.
And I think of you all the while.
All yours.
[French soldier 1]
Nearly there. Nearly there.
- [French soldier 2] Thank you, sir.
- [speaks indistinctly]
[soldier coughing]
- Thank you, Admiral.
- You were the brave of Austerlitz.
[dogs barking]
[dogs barking]
[Napoleon shouting] Where are you?
And they've all just left?
Little boy.
Pspspsps.
Where are you?
Don't be frightened.
I'm just gonna give you a little spanking.
It's not very sporting, is it?
For his honor and Russia's, not mine.
There's dignity to be had in defeat.
[snoring]
[fire crackling]
[gasps, breathing heavily]
Who did this?
They did.
No, they did not. Be sensible.
- Who set these fires?
- [sighs]
Your Majesty, they did.
[sighs]
He'd rather burn his own city
than negotiate with me.
I didn't think he had the courage.
Well, we'll go to Saint Petersburg
and have him burn that too.
We have let too much time slip away.
We would be marching
into the Russian winter
with horses that are not raised
for this weather.
If we go back to Poland,
we can wait out the winter months.
Hmm?
[shouts]
[Joséphine] Napoleon, your letters
are a soothing balm to my heart.
I fear for you.
Remember that
I alone know your health...
- [spits]
- ...your fears.
I thank you as tenderly
as I will always love you.
Joséphine.
[Napoleon] My friend, Joséphine.
"Friend."
It is strange
to write that word to you.
You have always been so much more.
[soldiers coughing]
[fife playing]
[Napoleon] Despite careful organization,
there have been breakdowns in supply.
We're suffering sickness,
desertion and famine.
We are winning.
[soldiers coughing]
- [Napoleon] Us or Cossacks?
- [French general] Us.
[Napoleon sighs] Joséphine.
Fortune has abandoned me.
I know that it is
what fate has for me.
Your words rattle in my head.
I am nothing without you.
[politician]
Of the 600,000 men you sent to Russia,
only 40,000 have returned.
Therefore, you have been exiled
in no uncertain terms.
The allied coalition of Austria, Prussia,
Russia and England,
and with the agreement
of the French Council,
grant you sovereignty
of the island of Elba.
A revenue of two million francs
from the French funds,
pensions for the Bonaparte family
and the Empress Marie-Louise.
It also provides for Empress Joséphine
to retain all of her properties
and an allotted annual income
of one million francs.
[sighs]
I love France too much.
All I've desired was its glory.
I would never bring her misfortune.
They want me to abdicate. [sighs]
Fine, I'll abdicate.
[townsfolk chattering in Italian]
Your Highness.
Empress.
[Joséphine] Here.
[Alexander] Joséphine, Joséphine. Hmm?
[chuckles] I am charmed.
But... [sighs]
...you do not have to lock yourself away
just because he's not here.
I know what it is like
to be underestimated.
But your eyes, your charm and your spirit,
it is in there.
It is yours, and you can use it.
[classical music playing]
[Napoleon] Dear Joséphine,
You are mine. You will always be.
- I cannot stand it any longer.
- [crew member shouting]
It has been 300 days on this rock,
and I'm ready to come home
and reclaim what's mine:
you and France.
[crew members shouting]
[Napoleon] I'm taking your ship.
If you do not provoke me,
you do not have to fear me.
[Joséphine] Napoleon,
I'm a flower that opens its petals
and smiles to the sunshine,
unconscious that the storm is near
which will lay me low
- and scatter leaves to the heavens.
- [groans]
Come quickly, my friend.
[kisses]
- [wheezing]
- If you would open your mouth, please.
[groaning]
Thank you.
Thank you.
Well, your chest is congested.
Your throat is aflame.
My suggestion is to stay in bed.
[wheezing] But Napoleon is coming.
It would be unwise
to receive any visitors.
But Napoleon is coming.
I understand.
[wheezing]
[Dr. Corvisart] Just keep her comfortable.
Whoa, whoa!
Your Majesty.
You may speak.
Bonaparte, Your Majesty.
He has returned.
A ship landed on a beach
in Antibes this morning,
and they're on the march.
Napoleon Bonaparte is marching
towards Paris.
[breathing heavily]
More.
Your Majesty.
Afternoon, Colonel.
[colonel] Your Majesty.
General Marchand,
in defense of the royal government
of King Louis XVIII,
requests that you surrender your weapons
and cease your march
so that you may be arrested
and returned to your island.
Will you please inform the general that
I shall like to come and speak with him?
I have no fight
with my own Fifth Army.
Sir.
He wishes to speak.
Make ready!
Present.
Soldiers of the Fifth Regiment,
do you recognize me?
Do you recognize me, soldiers?
[French soldier] Yes, Emperor!
[laughing]
[Napoleon] I miss you.
I'm melancholy for my home...
and for our victories together.
I want to come home.
Will you join me?
Long live the emperor!
- Long live the emperor!
- Long live the emperor!
- [pledging continues]
- [cheering]
[crying]
On May 26th, Dr. Corvisart was called
and found her chest congested
and her throat inflamed.
Her illness was diphtheria.
On May 29th, last sacrament was given,
and she d*ed.
And no one thought to notify me?
[sighs]
Hortense.
Do you blame... [breathes shakily]
Do you blame me?
- [sniffles]
- I don't blame you.
Of course not.
I'm not to bear the burden
of responsibility... [breathes shakily]
...for the misfortunes of your mother.
I want the letters that I wrote to her.
[sniffles]
I'm sorry, I don't have them.
They were stolen by her valet.
[blows]
Where did she keep them?
In the cupboard in her bedroom,
next to her bed.
What did he do with them?
Her valet sold them.
- [cries]
- [Hortense] I'm sorry.
I forgive you.
[congress member]
Napoleon Bonaparte has destroyed
the only title
upon which his very existence depended.
This congregation of allies shall form
along the borders of France
and Belgium an army.
This vermin has routed
the farmyards of Europe
while the farmers snored.
We should have struck this blow long ago.
He has held the world hostage
with his egotism,
his insatiable hunger for power,
and his lack of simple good manners.
We will all sleep again without him.
I believe I speak for all of us when I say
that the only regret we all share
is that we allowed this vermin
to live at all.
and 100,000 men...
against our 125,000 men.
This is a fight on land.
This is what Britain does not know
how to do that I know.
Strike quickly
against Wellington and Blücher.
Defeat them separately.
Disallow them from uniting forces here.
Morning.
- Morning.
- [grunts]
The Prussians are advancing.
We should begin the offensive.
[Napoleon]
We must wait for the ground to dry.
Blücher will never make it in time.
I'll have Wellington by lunch.
[thunder rumbling]
[sighs, grunts]
[clears throat]
I never get wet if I can help it.
[clears throat]
[thunder rumbling]
What shall I tell the men?
Tell them to make the rain stop.
- [British soldier 1] Coming through!
- [British soldier 2] In formation!
[Wellesley]
Now's your time, lads. Now's your time.
Now, listen very carefully.
Patience is the order of the day today.
Patience shall win the day.
We must hold this ground.
Let them come to us.
[soldiers] Huzzah!
Go on, boys. Go on.
Whoa.
Good morning, General Blücher.
- Good morning.
- Estimated time of arrival, sir?
- Officer?
- About five hours.
About five hours.
Come on, boys. Come on, boys.
[grunts]
[soldier shouting, distant]
Oh, there he is.
He appears to be... [chuckles]
...just sleeping.
One thing you cannot resist, my friend,
is a frontal att*ck.
Let's see how this general
can att*ck our position.
Sir. I have the emperor in my sights.
Do I have permission to fire?
Certainly not.
Generals commanding armies
have better things to do with their time
than to sh**t at one another.
Hold your fire, rifleman,
on pain of death.
Go on, boys. Come, come.
[British soldier] A runner coming through!
Blücher, 11 to 12 miles, sir.
[British general 1] Attention, follow me.
- Blücher at 11 to 12 miles, sir.
- Jesus Christ.
- I want a report every hour.
- Yes, sir.
[French soldier]
Runner coming through. Make way.
Oh. Oh.
[panting]
Prussians on the roadside, 12 miles.
Prussian troops have been sighted
on the road, sire. Twelve miles.
Ready the cannons.
Ready the cannons!
[French soldiers clamoring]
[French general] Go on! Move!
[French soldiers shouting]
[French soldier 1]
Ready! Cannons are ready!
[French soldier 2] Cannons are ready!
[French general]
The rain has stopped, sir.
Prepare to fire!
[breathes heavily]
- Fire!
- [French soldiers] Fire!
[British general 2] Take cover!
Straight into position. Steady.
Prepare for the advance. Get ready.
Prepare for the advance.
Readjust to 195!
Adjust 195!
[French soldier] Elevation 195.
Adjusted!
Prepare to fire! Fire!
[French soldiers] Fire!
[British soldiers shouting, screaming]
[British general 2]
Keep your head down. Seventh, take over.
[screaming]
- [British soldier] Out the way!
- [British general 3] Hold fast, men!
Infantry, advance!
- [march playing]
- [French general 1] Left company!
[speaks indistinctly] And march!
[French general 2] Get in formation. Now!
Keep to the line!
Join!
[drums playing]
[French general]
Second wave, advance! Over the top, men!
Hold the line!
Cannons!
- Fire!
- [French soldiers shouting]
[British general 1] Get ready.
[British general 3] Hold fast.
[British general 2] Fire!
[British general 3]
You there, get on that cannon.
[French soldiers clamoring]
[British soldier] Fire!
[screaming]
[French general 2] Fill the gap!
[French general 1] Keep the line!
[soldiers shouting]
Skirmishers, keep advancing! [yelps]
[French general 2] Get in formation.
Fire at will.
[British general 2]
Keep them back, men. Fire.
[drums playing]
Go on, go on. Don't let them rally!
[British general 2 speaks indistinctly]
...the strike position.
[French runner]
Get up, boys. Go on. Go on, boys.
Whoa, whoa.
Prussians, roadside, five miles.
[French general] Five miles, maybe less.
We have to act before Blücher arrives.
Out.
Out!
- [British general 2 shouting]
- [French general] Cavalry!
Charge!
[French army shouting]
Prepare to receive cavalry.
[British general]
Prepare to receive cavalry.
[soldiers shouting]
[Wellesley] We must hold our ground.
Stand fast to the last man.
We must not be b*at!
Or what will they say in England?
- [British general] Hold the line.
- [British soldier] Keep it tight.
[soldiers shouting]
[British general]
Steady, men. Stay in formation.
[French soldier] Long live the emperor!
[British general] Company, halt!
[British general 2]
Form square! Form square!
[shouting, clamoring]
[French general] Long live the emperor!
[British general] One section, fire.
Two section, fire.
[soldiers shouting, grunting]
[screams]
[grunts]
[French general] What do we do, sir?
We can't break through.
[British general] Keep them running.
Get in back with the square.
Show them your British steel.
[breathing heavily]
[French general] Present arms!
[huffs]
Shoulder, hold!
- They're here, the Prussians.
- [grunts]
- [grunts]
- First over the rise, Emperor.
[panting]
[soldiers shouting]
[French soldier 1]
We need to find a way through!
[French soldier 2]
Break the square. Break the square!
[screams]
[clamoring]
[Napoleon] Charge bayonets.
[French general] Charge bayonets!
Your Emperor is with you.
You are the brave of Austerlitz.
Never surrender.
For homeland and glory!
[British general] Shoulder to shoulder!
Form lines!
[British general 2] Shoulder to shoulder.
[soldiers shouting]
[exclaims]
Infantry, advance.
- Battalion! [indistinct] Advance!
- [sighs]
[French general] Keep the line!
[British general] Footmen, fire!
Second line, fire.
Prepare to charge!
Charge!
[soldiers shouting]
[British general] Go on! Batter them!
[British general 2] Advance! Advance!
Cavalry advance, sir?
Cavalry advance.
[British general]
Prepare for counterattack.
Men, enter. Full support.
[shouting]
[screams]
[screaming]
[soldiers screaming, grunting]
[grunting]
No. He can't help himself.
[British general] Sir, Blücher.
Thank God.
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Come see how masse de la France dines!
Yeah! Hyah!
[pants]
[g*nsh*t fires]
Yeah! Yeah!
[soldiers struggling]
[shouting, screaming]
The battle is mine.
There will be an end to the w*r.
[whistle blowing]
[British general] Senior officer, on deck!
Good day, good day, good day.
I am the first to admit
when I make a mistake. But I never do.
Because it is geometry.
I simply know
precisely where to place a cannon.
But tragically I cannot transfer
this knowledge to my marshals. [sighs]
That might be
what is most difficult in life.
Accepting the failures of others.
You must not do that.
Encourage greatness.
- Mind your head, sir.
- [Wellesley grunts]
[British general] Mind your head, sir.
- What are they doing there?
- Sir, it's the midshipmen. They adore him.
Well, get 'em out.
Clear the room. Uh, quickly.
- Your grace...
- Good morning, General.
These boys are delightful.
May I sit down?
Please.
[clears throat, sniffs]
And this breakfast.
Now I know why you have
such a successful navy. Thank you.
- [grunts]
- [Wellesley clears throat]
I've never visited
the English countryside.
I imagine I'll love the Cotswolds...
- soft flowing hills, gentle light.
- [sighs]
Uh, my dear sir,
it is only by a narrow margin of opinion
that you have been spared the fate
of being sh*t.
[scoffs]
[chuckles]
Politically, I'm afraid it's impossible
for the British government
to allow you to stay in England.
You are permitted three officers
and 12 servants
to accompany you into exile.
Exile will be contained to the island
of Saint Helena
under the watchful eye
of Governor Hudson Lowe and his family.
[grunts]
Saint...
Helena. It's a small island.
[chuckles] More of a rock, really.
A thousand miles
from the mainland of Africa.
I'm told it's very pretty, tranquil.
You'll have time to reflect.
Your correspondence will be monitored,
your presence verified twice daily
by the orderly officer.
[crew member] Fix that rigging line.
Draw up the sails.
Go below deck!
[crew shouting]
[Joséphine] What will you do now?
I hate to see you alone.
Will you come to me? Will I forgive you?
My sweet, stubborn Emperor.
I let you loose and let you come to ruin.
Next time, I will be Emperor,
and you will do as I say.
[Napoleon] Well, you were right.
Every night I beg to see you in my dreams.
And when I do, you turn me away.
- [soldiers chattering]
- [children laughing]
Girls, what's the capital of France?
Paris.
And Russia?
Petersburg. And Moscow before.
Moscow.
And who burnt Moscow to the ground?
I don't know, sir.
I did.
I believe, sir, the Russians burnt it
to get rid of the French.
Who told you that?
It's common knowledge, sir.
[children chuckle]
Go. Go play.
[child] En garde.
[Joséphine] Can I tell you
what I have waiting for you?
[children laughing]
It is a secret.
And I will show you when you arrive.
Come to me, Napoleon.
And let's try this again.
Napoleon (2023)
Moderator: Maskath3