Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Tahar Rahim, Ben Miles, Ludivine Sagnier, Matthew Needham, Youssef Kerkour, Phil Cornwell
OUR RATING: ★★★☆☆
Story:
Sony and Apple TV+ epic historical action drama directed by Ridley Scott. Napoleon (2023) details the checkered rise and fall of the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix). We follow Bonaparte’s relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine (Vanessa Kirby), showcasing his famous battles, and his visionary military and political tactics.
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Best Quotes
'I am the first to admit when I make a mistake. But I never do.' - Napoleon Bonaparte Click To Tweet
'Terror is nothing more than justice. Prompt, severe, inflexible. It is therefore an emanation of virtue.' - Robespierre (Napoleon) Click To Tweet
Paul Barras: And how do you propose to take the harbor?
Napoleon Bonaparte: Capture the fort that dominates the harbor, and you have the city.
Napoleon Bonaparte: 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.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Surprise is my advantage, but I will win by fire.
Napoleon Bonaparte: [to Barras] I promised you brilliant successes, and I’ve kept my word.
Paul Barras: The guillotine, my friend.
Josephine Bonaparte: Why are you staring at me?
Napoleon Bonaparte: Am I? No, I was not.
Josephine Bonaparte: Yes. Oh, you weren’t?
Napoleon Bonaparte: I was. I was staring at your face.
Josephine Bonaparte: What is this costume you have on?
Napoleon Bonaparte: This is my uniform. I led the French victory at Toulon.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Is there reason to introduce myself?
Josephine Bonaparte: No, General.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Good.
Lucille: [referring to Napoleon] Do you find him without appeal?
Josephine Bonaparte: No.
Lucille: Then perhaps that is enough. Do not underestimate your grace.
Josephine Bonaparte: 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?
Napoleon Bonaparte: No, madame.
Josephine Bonaparte: Does where I have been concern you?
Napoleon Bonaparte: No, madame.
Josephine Bonaparte: If you look down, you’ll see a surprise. And once you see it, you will always want it.
'Everyone fights for what they lack.' - Napoleon Bonaparte Click To Tweet
Paul Barras: As my second-in-command, what would you intend to do if this assignment of defense was transferred to you?
Napoleon Bonaparte: I accept, on the condition that I command this as I see fit. Without interruption. I will not lead as second-in-command.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Dear Josephine, I follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and Caesar, as I have been sent to liberate Egypt.
Napoleon Bonaparte: [in his letter to Josephine] The Directory has approved my plan for attacking England through their eastern empire. But my achievements seem slight, as they keep us apart.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Dear wife, This love I have for you is a kind of death. There is no survival for me except in you. What are you doing? No letters from you. 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.
Napoleon Bonaparte: [confronting Josephine about her affair] What kind of creature are you? How could you care so little for me and my feelings? You are a selfish little pig. Do you think so lowly of me?
Josephine Bonaparte: No. I don’t.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Then why? Because you’re what? Say it.
Josephine Bonaparte: I’m sorry.
Napoleon Bonaparte: That’s not enough.
Napoleon Bonaparte: [to Josephine] I want you to say that I am the most important thing in the world!
Napoleon Bonaparte: I’m not built like other men. And I’m not subject to petty insecurity. You’re a beast. I feel sorry for you.
Josephine Bonaparte: 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.
'That might be what is most difficult in life. Accepting the failures of others.' - Napoleon Bonaparte Click To Tweet
Josephine Bonaparte: Did you have affairs?
Napoleon Bonaparte: Of course I did.
Josephine Bonaparte: And did you love them?
Napoleon Bonaparte: No. No, I did not.
Josephine Bonaparte: Were they pretty?
Napoleon Bonaparte: Yes, some of them. They served their purpose.
Josephine Bonaparte: More than I do?
Napoleon Bonaparte: They cried less. That made them more attractive.
Josephine Bonaparte: [to Napoleon] Don’t leave me. Please, don’t leave me. Just don’t leave me. You don’t have to forgive me. Just promise me you won’t leave again.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Shh! Citizens, what country are we in? Because she doesn’t resemble the France that I left.
Napoleon Bonaparte: I have returned to France to find her bankrupt.
Sieyes: [to Napoleon] The only thing that every French citizen can agree on is that you are our Caesar.
Napoleon Bonaparte: So, you expect me to be your sword?
Sieyes: I expect that a coup d’état, well-timed, well-executed could transfer power into the hands of three consuls, myself, Ducos, and you. I’m inviting you to the winning side.
'There's dignity to be had in defeat.' - Napoleon Bonaparte Click To Tweet
Marshal Ney: It’s a simple letter of resignation we would like you to…
Gohier: I am not signing anything. You can pi** before I sign anything away!
General Dumas: Citizen Moulins, we have a letter of resignation for you to sign.
Moulin: No, no, no. I am eating my breakfast. I am enjoying a succulent breakfast. This is outrageous! I shall finish my breakfast before you touch me!
Napoleon Bonaparte: Shall we vote?
Napoleon Bonaparte: [to Josephine] All our harsh words are behind us. I need you to be my most tender friend. Over this door is our destiny.
Talleyrand: 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.
Napoleon Bonaparte: [to Lord Whitworth] 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!
Napoleon Bonaparte: Are you about to tell me something that will make me angry?
Talleyrand: Let’s hope not.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Why aren’t you pregnant?
Josephine Bonaparte: Is that a question, or is that an accusation?
Napoleon Bonaparte: It was a question. Now it’s an accusation.
Napoleon Bonaparte: [at his coronation] 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.
Pope Pius VII: The most glorious, the most august Napoleon, emperor of the French, is crowned and enthroned. Long live the emperor!
Napoleon Bonaparte: I am not ambitious. I’ve never declared war with anyone.
Talleyrand: 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.
Josephine Bonaparte: And you’re fat.
Napoleon Bonaparte: I enjoy my meals. I do. Destiny has brought me here. Destiny has brought me this lamb chop.
Napoleon Bonaparte: [to Josephine] I love your talents and your taste. And while I’m away, I will miss your grace. And your dignity. And I will come back to you.
Napoleon Bonaparte: [in his letter to Josephine] 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 war and trying to emulate my battle tactics. 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.
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