5 interesting things about ‘Napoleon’ the ultimate costume drama

Napoleon is a 2023 historical drama film that explores the life and legacy of the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Joaquin Phoenix. The film also stars Vanessa Kirby as his wife Josephine, Tahar Rahim as his rival Paul Barras, and Rupert Everett as his enemy Duke of Wellington. The film is directed by Ridley Scott, who is known for his epic and visually stunning films such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, and The Last Duel. Here are five interesting things about Napoleon that you might not know:

The film is written by David Scarpa and based on the biography Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts. Roberts is a British historian and journalist who has written several books on Napoleon and his era. He spent five years researching and writing the biography, which was published in 2014 and won several awards. Roberts also served as a historical consultant for the film and helped Scott and Scarpa craft an accurate and compelling portrayal of Napoleon’s life and personality.

Napoleon is a spectacle-filled action epic that showcases Napoleon’s visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed. The film covers some of the most famous and decisive battles of Napoleon’s career, such as the Siege of Toulon, the Battle of Austerlitz, the Battle of Waterloo, and the Hundred Days Campaign. Scott and his team used thousands of extras, horses, cannons, and pyrotechnics to create realistic and immersive scenes of warfare. They also used drones, helicopters, and cranes to capture sweeping aerial shots of the landscapes and formations. Paratrooper Paul Biddiss, the military advisor for the 2019 movie 1917 will help bring 6 battle sequences to life on the big screen.

One of the most impressive aspects of the film is the attention to detail and authenticity of the costumes. The film features over 4000 military uniforms from various nations and factions that were involved in the Napoleonic Wars, such as France, Britain, Austria, Russia, Prussia, Spain, and Egypt. The costumes were designed by Janty Yates, who has collaborated with Scott on several films and won an Oscar for Gladiator. Yates and her team researched and recreated the uniforms using original fabrics, patterns, and colors. They also added details such as buttons, medals, epaulettes, and sashes to distinguish the ranks and roles of the soldiers.

One of the most surprising and intriguing facts that the film reveals is that Napoleon wore a wooden hat during his exile on the island of St. Helena. The hat was made by a local carpenter and given to Napoleon by his loyal servant Louis Marchand, who accompanied him to his final destination. The hat was shaped like a bicorn, the iconic style that Napoleon favored, but it was hollow and had a hole on the top. The purpose of the hat was to protect Napoleon’s head from the sun and the rain, as well as to conceal his baldness, which he was very sensitive about. The hat is now preserved in the Musée de l’Armée in Paris.

The film also focuses on the personal and romantic side of Napoleon’s life, especially his relationship with his first wife Josephine, played by Vanessa Kirby. The film depicts their passionate, turbulent, and tragic love story, from their first meeting to their divorce and beyond. Kirby and Phoenix have great chemistry and deliver nuanced and emotional performances as the star-crossed lovers. The film also showcases the stunning costumes that Josephine wore, which were inspired by the neoclassical styles that were popular at the time, especially her coronation outfit which was a white silk gown with gold detailing and puff sleeves. Josephine was known for her elegance and fashion sense, and she influenced the trends of her era. The costumes were also designed by Janty Yates of the Gladiator and House of Gucci fame, who used chiffon, silk, and lace fabrics, as well as embroidery, pearls, and jewels, to create the exquisite dresses.