Napoleon (1955)

Napoléon is a sweeping 1955 French historical epic written and directed by Sacha Guitry, chronicling the life of Napoleon Bonaparte from his Corsican origins to his final exile on Saint Helena. Released on March 25, 1955, the film was a major Franco-Italian co-production, with a runtime of approximately 190 minutes, and featured an ensemble cast portraying key figures from European history.

Plot Overview

Told through the eyes of Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand (played by Guitry himself), the film traces Napoleon’s journey from a young artillery officer to Emperor of the French. It covers pivotal moments such as the Italian Campaign, Egyptian expedition, coronation, marriage to Joséphine, and the Battle of Waterloo, culminating in his imprisonment and death in exile. The narrative blends historical reenactment with reflective commentary, offering both grandeur and introspection.

Cast Highlights

• Daniel Gélin as young Napoleon
• Raymond Pellegrin as adult Napoleon (the transition occurs during a symbolic barber scene)
• Maria Schell as Marie-Louise of Austria
• Michèle Morgan as Joséphine de Beauharnais
• Jean Gabin, Orson Welles (as Sir Hudson Lowe), and Erich von Stroheim (as Beethoven) in notable cameo roles
• Sacha Guitry as Talleyrand, the film’s narrator and political observer

Production Notes and Trivia

• The film was produced by Filmsonor, Francinex, and Les Films C.L.M., with a budget estimated between $1.5 and $1.8 million—a significant sum for postwar European cinema
• Cinematography by Pierre Montazel and music by Jean Françaix contribute to the film’s operatic tone and visual splendor
• Guitry, known for his theatrical flair, had previously portrayed Napoleon in Le Destin fabuleux de Désirée Clary (1942) and brought a personal fascination to the project
• The film was a box office success in France, drawing over 5.4 million admissions, and was later dubbed into English for international release
• The dual casting of Napoleon—Gélin for youth and Pellegrin for maturity—was a creative choice that emphasized the transformation of the man into the myth
• The film includes dramatized encounters with historical figures such as Beethoven, Wellington, and Metternich, enhancing its epic scope
• Though not as technically groundbreaking as Abel Gance’s silent Napoléon (1927), Guitry’s version is notable for its narrative ambition and theatrical gravitas