Chris Colonna

Just got home, 2-1/2 hours of my life I'll never get back ...I would've been more disappointed if I had paid more than the $7 to watch this. Being a published historian, I can easily say that much like 'truth in war', truth in modern films seems to also be the first casualty. If you're going for entertainment, then it was OK. If you're going to view it for some insight into the historical figure of 'Napolean', then read a book or perhaps watch the 1970 film Waterloo, or the 1956 film War and Peace. They do a MUCH, MUCH better job at presenting Napolean closer to actual history while being entertaining as well. The PC police also made an appearance with the use of Black actors as being pivotal figures in Napolean's staff and exploits as well as midshipmen in the Royal Navy in 1815. The only thing that wasn't shown were transexuals leading cavalry charges, but I could only surmise that it was an oversight. If you're unfortunate enough to have been born French, ...avoid this film, it will destroy any semblance of national pride you might have left (LOL). Now to be absolutely honest, I must give credit as readily as I criticize. The cinematography was excellent. The costumes, set design and military accruements were spot on. The use of actual actors and outdoor battle scenes were also excellent. I couldn't detect where the CGI began and the real time acting met. The film ends with a list of his major battles and the number of French soldiers killed, suggesting that those casualty numbers were excessive for that time period. This was done in an obvious attempt at portraying Napolean as a ruthless general with no tactical prowess. Most large-scale engagements in the early to mid 1800's ran upwards to 30% casualties as a norm. Between 45-51,00 men died at Gettysburg in July of 1863, and that was nothing out of the ordinary for the American Civil War. Durning the Napoleonic Wars of the early 1800s the casualty numbers were just as gruesome for the British, Prussians, Russians and the Austrians respectively. The weapons outdated the formations and tactics used by all sides. Massed artillery and massed musket fire were devastating at close range. The film also seems to suggest that the world was better off without Napolean as the central European leader during the 19th Century. The film is subtle in that ascertain, but obvious to anyone who knows history. I felt it to be in modern terms very pro-One World Order/Pro-British... you know the same British that enslaved 2/3rds of the world during the 1800s ('The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire'). It was more of a 'chick flick' with cannons then a deep look into the complexed man that was ...Napolean.