“Napoleon”
First trailer for the biopic starring Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix (centre) rides into battle as Napoleon.
© Kevin Baker/Apple
The first trailer for Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” with Joaquin Phoenix promises a lot of action.
First look at one of the most anticipated movies of 2023: The The first trailer for “Napoleon” has now been released. In the historical spectacle by Ridley Scott (85), Joaquin Phoenix (48) embodies the legendary general and emperor of the French (1769-1821).
“Napoleon”: The story of the biopic
As the trailer reveals, the action of “Napoleon” begins in France in 1793. So in the midst of the revolutionary turmoil. Napoleon Bonaparte is supposed to ensure order against the counter-revolutionaries. The film charts his rise to become the self-proclaimed Emperor of the French, but also hints at his decline. “You think you’re important. You’re just a miserable libertine who’s nothing without me,” explains his wife Joséphine. Finally, the European powers unite against the upstart.
The trailer doesn’t promise a dry history ham, but plenty of action. There is a lot of fighting, with bayonets and especially with cannons. A pyramid also gets a hit during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign. The images do not revel in rich backdrops, the colors are washed out and cold.
If any director has experience with historical action, it has to be Ridley Scott. In 2000 he revived the antique film genre with “Gladiator”. This was followed by spectacles from the Middle Ages – “Kingdom of Heaven”, “Robin Hood” and most recently “The Last Duel” – and even from biblical times (“Exodus”).
“Napoleon”: The actors around Joaquin Phoenix
Napoleon marks Joaquin Phoenix’s first collaboration with Ridley Scott since Gladiator. Four years after his Oscar for “Joker” another big role that could bring him another nomination.
Vanessa Kirby (35) can also look forward to an Oscar nomination. The Briton, who will soon also be seen in “Mission: Impossible 7” alongside Tom Cruise (60), embodies Joséphine. Kirby had taken over the role from the originally intended Jodie Comer (30). The ‘Killing Eve’ actress starred in ‘The Last Duel,’ directed by Scott.
The relationship between Napoleon and his first wife takes up a lot of space in the film. “He conquered the world to win her love, and when he failed, he conquered it to destroy it, destroying himself in the process,” Ridley Scott once said.
In addition to Phoenix and Kirby, several French actors can be seen, for example Ludivine Sagnier (44, “8 Women”) and Tahar Rahim (42, “A Prophet”).
“Napoleon” is scheduled to hit theaters on November 22nd. After the theatrical run, the historical film will be shown on Apple TV+.