The Napoleonic Epics
Summary
The Napoleonic Epics unfolds as a labyrinthine tapestry of ambition, sacrifice, and the corrosive weight of historical legacy. The film traces the meteoric ascent of a young Bonaparte, whose artillerist prowess during the siege of Toulon catapults him into the political maelstrom of revolutionary France. His impulsive rescue of Eugenia Chabrillant—a royalist orphan amidst the rabble’s chaos—becomes a moral quagmire, entangling him in a web of duty and forbidden affection. The narrative pivots sharply with his estrangement from Josephine Beauharnais, a union born of pragmatic expediency rather than passion, and the tragic dissolution of their bond as imperial ambition eclipses personal ties. The film’s climax, with its interwoven threads of Waterloo’s cataclysm and the specter of Saint Helena, lingers on the paradox of a man who reshaped empires yet found no sanctuary in his conquests. Director and cast render the period’s grandeur and brutality with visceral immediacy, though the emotional core—Eugenia’s silent anguish and Josephine’s fractured dignity—hovers like a ghost over the epic’s sprawling vistas.
Synopsis
A young Bonaparte, who as Lieutenant of Artillery in the Republican army takes leave of his mother and returns to France. Then follows the siege and fall of Toulon and the riotous acts of the army, meaning death to the aristocrats. Bonaparte saves Eugenia of Chabrillant, orphan of one of the Royalist leaders from the attack of the rabble. News of this is brought to the Republican leader and he orders Bonaparte's punishment to be a diminution of his rank. Rather than suffer this, Bonaparte leaves the army but returns with the warning, brought him by Eugenia, that the Royalists are planning a movement against the Republic. In recognition of his worth, Bonaparte is named general and before leaving with his troops entrusts Eugenia to the escort of the officer Barras, who takes her to the home of Josephine Beauharnais for safe keeping. Returning victorious, Bonaparte calls to thank Josephine for the protection afforded Eugenia. It is the first meeting of the future great general with Josephine and the latter, interested, asks, "Is Eugenia of Charillant your fiancee?" And Bonaparte answers. "No, I shall never love her but as a sister." Eugenia who already has secretly given her affection to Bonaparte, overhears this answer and leaves the home of Josephine. Shortly afterward she dies, confessing in a letter to Bonaparte, her love for him. The army of the Republic is about to invade Italy. Bonaparte before leaving on this expedition secretly marries Josephine. It is at the conclusion of the march into Italy that Bonaparte gives expression to the quotation, "Hannibal crossed the Alps ; I went around them." Then occur the great victories of Mondso and Piedmont and Bonaparte's historic thanksgiving to his men: "Soldiers. In fifteen days you have gained six victories, taken twenty-one flags and eighty pieces of artillery; made fifteen thousand prisoners and conquered Piedmont. Mainstays of the Republic, soldiers of Liberty - the Country thanks you . - Signed, Bonaparte." Meanwhile, Barras, an admirer of Josephine continues to offer her attentions until she tells him she is the wife of General Napoleon. In her keeping is a casket of souvenirs belonging to Eugenia, and she writes to the Prince of Polignac, Eugenia's cousin, and tells him of her possession of the casket. The prince calls for it and Barras makes the occasion one upon which to arouse the jealousy of Bonaparte. It is after the liberation of Lombardy and the march on Venice that Napoleon rushes to Paris and disproves the suspicions of Barras. The prince is made captive and sentenced to death, however, when a document is found on him which tells of a plot to kill Napoleon. At the intercession of the prince's mother and of Josephine, the life of the prince is spared. Napoleon is now emperor. He destroys the Austrian power at Ekmul and Ratisbone and declares to the Emperor Francis of Austria, "I will shatter your monarchy as I shatter this cup," and the cup in question is shattered to pieces. Fouche. the advisor of Napoleon is anxious that Josephine be divorced and that Bonaparte marry Maria Louise of Austria. The reason is that there is no heir and he continually broaches the subject of divorce. For conciliatory purposes, Bonaparte visits the court of Austria and meets Princess Maria Louise. Urged on by Fouche and the good of his country, he consents to divorce Josephine. Bonaparte and Josephine meet for their respective signatures to the fateful paper. To the last, Josephine hopes that Bonaparte will refuse his signature. But when an eventful pause is terminated by his seizing the pen and signing his name, Josephine is made one of the saddest of history's women. The marriage of Napoleon and Maria Louise follows and eventually there is a son. But the happiness that should have been Bonaparte's is not, and the fighting general's spirit seems to reflect this condition. His triumphs terminate with the retreat from Moscow. Then there is the farewell at Fontainbleau, the general's leaving for the Isle of Elba and his invitation to the troops, "If anyone wishes to fire against his Emperor, do so . . . . Here I am !" But the response is "Vive l'Empereur!" Waterloo is the next event and the proclamation of June 2, 1815, "Napoleon Bonaparte exiled through the clemency of the Allied Powers to the Isle of Elba, has violated his sworn oath and returned to France. For the welfare of the peoples and for the re-establishment of order, Europe declares him a public enemy and invites war against him." The army of the Republic responds to Wellington's command to surrender, "The Old Guard will die, but not surrender." The eagle is shot off the flag of the Republic and Napoleon Bonaparte is the prisoner of Admiral Keith on board the Bellerophon. The closing scene of the film shows the stately ship as it sets out toward the island of Saint Helene. And in the prow of the boat stands the figure of that great little general of history - Napoleon Bonaparte.
