Movie Description
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES recasts history in 19th Century France. Based on the novel by Simon Leys, THE DEATH OF NAPOLEON, the film supposes that Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from exile in St. Helena and returned to Paris in 1821, whereas the history books say he died that year. With imaginative photography, beautiful costumes, an upbeat orchestral score, and solid acting, the film is a fanciful, witty, comedic delight. Starting out in St. Helena, Napoleon (Ian Holm) enjoys a pampered existence, even as a prisoner, and is treated with great respect by those who serve him. Therefore, when he devises a scheme to trade places with a servant on a ship so that he may escape, the deckhand he chooses (also Holm) thinks he's the luckiest man alive, waited on hand and foot in St. Helena. Napoleon returns to Paris under the guise of this ship servant. When he arrives, he expects to be recognized, received with joy by his people, and made emperor once again. Instead, he is ignored. Days later, the deckhand in St. Helena dies, literally erasing Napoleon's existence. From there, Napoleon must adjust to daily life in the free world as nothing more than a simple Everyman. Fortunately, he finds a loving wife, Pumpkin (Iben Hjejle), to help him with the transition.
| Credits | | Producer: | Uberto Pasolini | | Cast: | Eddie Marsan, Murray Melvin, Nigel Terry, Tom Watson |
| Details | | Edition: | Checkpoint | | Sound: | Stereo Sound |
Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection, Theatrical Release: JUNE 14, 2002 (NY/LA)
Editorial Reviews
"...Taylor's skill at bringing off the story's many moods confirms that he's an important new director to be reckoned with..."
Movieline - Stephen Farber (07/01/2002)
"...Clever and delightful....The film unfolds with an inspired flow of twists and turns....Rachel Portman's score, at once romantic, majestic and vital, completes this beguiling film..."
Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas (06/28/2002)
"...Holm finds a surprisingly sweet and gentle approach to the material, which is played not for yuks but for romance and insight..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (07/28/2002)
"...The movie is a sweet and enjoyable surprise..."
USA Today - Mike Clark (12/13/2002)
"Iben Hjejle gives a warm, unaffected performance as Pumpkin. Taylor shows an acute sense of period detail."
Sight and Sound - Philip Kemp (02/01/2004)
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