Waterloo (DVD, 2005)

After defeating France and imprisoning Napoleon on Elba, ending two decades of war, Europe is shocked to find Napoleon has escaped and has caused the French Army to defect from the King back to him. The best of the British generals, Arthur Welsley was victorious in Spain, but has never faced Napoleon. Welsley stands between Napoleon with a mixed army of Prussians, Mercenaries, Brits and Belgians. Napoleon's victory will plunge Europe back into a long term war. The two meet at Waterloo where the fate of Europe will be decided. This is the battle that earned Welsley the title of Duke of Wellington.

The 1970 production (DIRECTOR: Sergei Bondarchuk PRODUCER: Dino De Laurentis) featrures the following actors/actresses: Orson Welles; Christopher Plummer; Jack Hawkins; and, Virginia McKenna. The movie is superbly cast. Rod Stieger is entirely credible as the aging but still fiercely ambitious and egotistical Napoleon. Christopher Plummer is pitch-perfect as the aristocratic Duke of Wellington, highly capable leader of a British-Dutch Army, acting in concert with a Prussian Army under General Blutcher. Orson Welles has a nice cameo as Louis XVIII. The supporting cast universally look their parts.

The Battle of Waterloo has been challenging for generations of historians to describe. Likewise, this movie dramatization can be very difficult to follow. The movie faithfully depicts various dramatic moments in the battle, although it seems to presume some prior knowledge on the part of the viewer as to the context of those moments. It repeatedly changes points of view, alternating for the most part between Napoleon and Wellington. There are several supporting vignettes involving Marshall Ney and others. The movie succeeds in building up enormous dramatic tension as the battle nears its climax, even if the viewer may not be entirely clear on what is happening and why.

This movie is highly recommended to fans of the Napoleonic era as perhaps the best-available dramatization of the Battle of Waterloo. But beware of versions that have been transferred to DVD that are of poor quality.

the quality of the dvd was terrible. it would skip constantly and then freeze up. it took quite a while to arrive and because the price was so cheap it wasn't worth the effort or the price to send it back. would not recommend this dvd to anyone.

A film i remember from when i was a lad it still holds up today. no cgi when this was made , just thousands of extras in period gear . great cast and i think mr stiegers greatest performance. a must see unless your french, if so then best forgotten.

I was especially happy that I got it in 3 days,;reasonable price & not available in stores. I lost my VHS copy & I'm pleased with the picture clarity
on DVD.