Original subtitles

(triumphal marching music)

It's all over.

The emperor?

Yes.

Well...

Perhaps now we can speak of him.

Monsieur de Talleyrand, would you consent to give us

this evening your opinion of the emperor?

No, Madame, it is not necessary

that I should have any opinion about him.

I must truthfully confess, Prince,

as far as I'm concerned,

at no time did I ever like Napoleon.

That, Madame, is by no means as important

as you may think, no.

Besides, that is not the point.

That is not the point?

No, Madame, no that is not the point.

On the day of Napoleon's death it's not important

whether you liked him or not.

But surely I have the right to say...

Why no, Madame, no you don't have that right.

If you think you have something extremely witty to say,

something cruel even, concerning the emperor, say it.

You may, Madame, go as far as blasphemy.

Because a witticism is a sacred thing.

But to give us your opinion

on one of the greatest men the world has ever known,

no, Madame, no!

Emperor Napoleon has need of no one.

And nothing can touch him.

For 20 years that woman's been getting on my nerves.

She has the impudence to express her opinion of him.

Why, if we'd allowed her to speak, she would have finished

by saying, were I in his place,

I'd have done such-and-such a thing.

For people are that way.

They put themselves in the place

of the great men they judge.

Whereas individuals are facts.

Even more so when it has to do with a man

who she dared to talk about.

A fact is a fact.

Can't be argued about.

You can record it, you can examine it.

Relate it.

Well, Prince, since it can be related,

tell us about the emperor.

Once...

There existed an extraordinary being

who nevertheless resembled a man.

He was born on an island.

Dreamed all his life of conquering an island.

Was exiled to an island.

And against his will,

expired on an island.

It started in Ajaccio,

on August the 15th, 1769.

(baby crying)

[Woman] Oh, oh!

Oh, oh.

While some months before, King Louis XV...

Choiseul?

Sire?

We must acquire Corsica.

Sire, it has been considered for some time.

Well then, I should not like it to be delayed any longer.

Is it not important, Sire,

to solve the problems of more urgency?

No.

How right was that decision.

45 days more and Napoleon would have been Italian.

There is not much known of his formative years,

other than that he entered the school of Brienne

at the age of 10,

on April the 23rd, 1779.

Only one of these children dared to approach him

and give him his hand.

And who was that boy?

That boy, dear Madame, was...

Monsieur de Bourrienne.

That boy, dear Madame, was Monsieur de Bourrienne.

Come in, Bourrienne, come in.

My respects, sir.

We were speaking of you, as a matter of fact.

Of me?

Yes, yes, yes, you timed it perfectly.

I would like you to meet Monsieur de Bourrienne,

who first was his schoolmate, became the friend,

and then later private secretary to the emperor.

I think you know my friends,

Monsieur and Madame de Blanc-Mesnil.

Do sit down.

And now, Bourrienne, tell us what he was like, Bonaparte,

when he entered the school of Brienne.

- Oh, the same as when he left it: taciturn, surly,

and often quarrelsome.

When he left military school he was 16.

And a second lieutenant.

But he doesn't like being second.

Not Bonaparte.

Two months later, he was a first lieutenant.

But he was still not satisfied.

So little in fact that he applied for leave,

and soon departed for Corsica,

his island home.

A home he'd not seen for six years.

There he made the acquaintance of three little boys

and two little girls.

They were Louis, Lucien, Jerome,

Pauline, and Caroline Bonaparte.

Caroline, who was to be Murat's wife.

Jerome, who was to be King of Westphalia.

Lucien, Prince of Canino.

And Louis, who was to receive the crown of Holland.

And Pauline, Pauline Borghese, in his eyes

the most beautiful woman on earth.

Having rejoined his regiment at Auxonne,

he pledged allegiance to the king

with all the officers of the corps.

Yet a few months later found him at Ajaccio

distributing to his countrymen

the tri-colored cockades he brought from France.

Then, promoted to captain, he returned to Paris,

and on February the 6th, 1792,

we both witnessed the attack on the Tuileries.

He saw Louis XVI crowned with a Phrygian bonnet,

the Cap of Liberty, and in disgust exclaimed, "Numb-skull!"

Sick at heart with the spectacle he'd just witnessed,

he left once more for Corsica.

It was here, in 1793, that he learns that Louis XVI

had been beheaded on the 21st of January.

It doesn't surprise him.

But some months later a much more alarming

piece of news reaches him.

His elder brother Joseph,

who wields considerable influence in political circles,

informs him that on August the 28th,

Toulon had surrendered to the English,

and begs him to return.

The following week, Napoleon lands at Toulon,

where his brother awaits him.

So many things to tell him.

Most important is Toulon, the city has surrendered,

abandoned to the enemy.

And it is partially at his suggestion

that Bonaparte is to be consulted.

No, no, not at all, General.

It's not that he's Corsican like me

that I want him on your staff.

By the information received from Paris,

we're told he's a gifted artillery officer.

Battalion Commander Bonaparte.

Saliceti, your compatriot.

Robespierre the Younger.

Gasparin.

We three represent the people.

General Carteaux.

General Petit.

General Dugommier.

You are of course aware of the situation

in which we find ourselves.

In that connection,

Paris has sent us instructions concerning you.

Have you any suggestions?

Any opinions?

As an artillery man?

I have more: a plan.

Already?

Regardless of any other consideration,

I think that this very night we must place a battery

on la Garenne Heights.

Extraordinary idea.

I do not think it a bad one,

since its objective is the capture of Fort Mulgrave

and Fort I'Eguillette.

Oh, young man, you're going a bit too fast, I'd say.

It seems to me that we have no time to lose.

I will require a hundred cannon within six weeks,

and the assurance that I am to be granted complete freedom.

You are a painter I'm told, General.

Please do your painting,

and pray leave me to get on with my work.

Have you been in combat yet?

Not up to now.

But I know that victory is possible

only under one command.

It is agreed, you will be in command.

Rest assured, you will have your cannons.

And already you have our confidence.

(rousing music with trumpets)

And now,

where is this Bonaparte?

The little general?

He's up there.

Forward, gunners!

Faster, faster!

[Talleyrand] So much cold-blooded determination

and such precision savored of a miracle.

On one hand was the idiotic egoism of a man

who refused to risk his position,

on the other there were those who perhaps

were beginning to understand.

It was ardent youth opposed to old age

without its experience.

It was vanity as opposed to pride.

And it was routine opposed to genius.

You are appointed temporary brigadier general.

[Talleyrand] An appointment which from that moment

became permanent.

Are you satisfied?

I've just been born, Joseph!

Good bye, good bye, you English!

(soldiers shouting)

[Soldiers] Vive la France!

Vive la France!

[Talleyrand] At this time, near Marseilles there lived

a well-to-do family of which the three principal members

were the mother and the two daughters.

One of them, Julie, had become the wife of Joseph.

And during the next few days,

it was the charm of her sister, Desiree,

that captured Napoleon.

And, cloaked in the magic of moonlight,

he declared his love and asked.

Are you in love?

I'm not certain.

You asked me yesterday if I was in love.

Yes.

I'm more certain than I was.

I have to leave tomorrow.

But I won't go without swearing I will love you always.

Forever.

And you are the man who has stolen my heart.

[Talleyrand] But this vow lasted no longer

than the life of a rose.

And here he is, back in Paris in his modest room

in the Hotel des Patriotes Hollandais.

(a knock at the door)

Come in.

General Bonaparte?

That's me, yes.

This is the third time I've been here

since Wednesday night.

I was to give you this letter personally,

so I kept coming back.

[Talleyrand] Signed, Barras, virtual dictator of France,

who invited him to come to his home

without fail upon receipt of this letter.

As it happened, Barras was giving a soiree that evening.

One of his famous soirees.

Too famous.

Now then, look at that.

Two, three, and I can make it appear and disappear.

Shhh!

Will you all please stop talking?

And will the orchestra stop playing?

I should like you to applaud, to acclaim,

the victor of Toulon,

this general of 26,

none other than General Buonaparte.

(crowd murmurs excitedly)

But must one say Buonaparte, or Bonaparte?

Bonaparte.

Times change, and names with them.

Don't you recognize your brother Lucien?

Of course.

Will you introduce me, please?

Madame Tallien would like to know you.

And I would like you to know how much I admire you.

Madame wishes to present her compliments.

Could do with a haircut, couldn't he?

Who is she?

Josephine de Beauharnais,

one of the intermittent mistresses of Barras.

Introduce me.

My brother,

General Napoleon Bonaparte.

Where is he?

He's talking to Madame de Beauharnais.

He's going to steal her away.

It's his right to go from victory to victory.

And you have nothing to say to me.

No.

I'll leave you.

Can I borrow him?

Yes, but...

I want him back.

I promise.

He's Puss in Boots.

I think he overheard.

I fear you've made an enemy.

Or perhaps a new conquest.

Here he is, gentlemen.

He's a bit young.

Of course, he is young.

But at Toulon we had the evidence of his ability.

And, he accepts?

No, he hesitates.

Have I told you you've been promoted to commanding general?

Of what army?

The Army of Italy.

No you haven't.

My thanks, I'm honored.

And will I be able to have Murat?

Whomever you wish.

I've just seen Sieyes at his house.

He was formal.

We are to apply without restraint

the edicts sanctioned against royalism by the Convention.

The insurgents intend to take refuge in certain churches,

and Sieyes believes it best to attack,

and break their rush at the start.

And that the ideal spot would be Saint-Roch.

Well?

You can count on me.

I'm not in favor of his talking to Barras.

He is as dangerous as Robespierre I feel.

I agree.

And he at least was The Incorruptible.

As Barras is the corrupter.

Permit me to withdraw.

I advise you to.

I have the impression that I'm out of place here.

I have a strong impression of the contrary.

Um, Talleyrand, is he important?

Very.

He's a man who could make a dung heap smell sweet.

Till tomorrow.

Till tomorrow.

I'm saying goodnight, only to you.

And so you make everyone go.

I wanted you to be the only one to see

the way I look at you.

Good night.

Good night.

My friends!

I have the most interesting news for you.

The sun has risen!

(guests cheer)

Orchestra, play the minarcho!

[Talleyrand] The day that followed this

was to be a memorable one.

And while the revelry continued at Barras,

on the steps of the Church of Saint-Roch,

the last royalists perished.

Is Madame expecting the General?

She is not.

And whom shall I announce?

Puss in Boots.

Very good, General.

Why Puss in Boots?

Because you said it.

You weren't meant to hear it.

In any case, it does not seem appropriate today.

What do think would be?

What's the matter?

Are you afraid of me?

Yes, that's right.

Baptize me, anyway.

Then I may?

I insist.

General of the Massacre.

You'll pay for that.

(laughs) I'm sure I will.

And now you're looking for a way.

No, I have a way.

You come from Martinique?

Yes.

And you were born a de La Pagerie?

Yes.

You were married at 16, to General de Beauharnais,

who was guillotined during the Terror,

and by whom you had two children.

Do you love them?

Naturally.

Do you know, after the Saint-Roch rising,

or massacre, if you wish,

do you know that yesterday the inhabitants of Paris

were ordered to surrender their weapons at the Town Hall?

So I heard.

Is your son here?

Yes.

Will you ask him to come here?

Yes.

Eugene!

No need for anxiety.

General Bonaparte wishes to tell you something.

Eugene de Beauharnais, I place in your hands

the sword that belonged to your father.

Oh, thank you!

Thank you.

If I were to tell you that what happened yesterday

at Saint-Roch

I did because I wanted to bring you this sword,

you'd believe it?

No.

And you would be right.

And if I were to tell you

that I did it partly because of you,

would you believe me?

(laughing) No.

There you might be quite wrong.

I've had more than enough of seeing you

smile at me pityingly.

I prefer you afraid of me.

One more question, and the last.

How old are you?

Oh...

Well, if I'm going to marry you.

32 years old.

And I'm 26.

You'll take off six years, and I'll put three onto mine.

And then we'll meet somewhere along the way.

How lovely you are, Josephine.

I love you.

[Talleyrand] And on the 9th of March,

he married her, in five minutes.

They said they were the same age,

and he claimed to have been born in Paris

for some reason that has never been explained.

(marching music with trumpets)

And then, back to war.

The eagle landed at the bridge at Arcole,

where glory was awaiting him.

And there, crossing the bridge that no one dared to cross,

he wrote the first chapter of his legend in the Italian sky.

20 victories sit well on these young shoulders.

Though those young eyes seems somewhat spent.

I look at you with great emotion.

When I think you're going to seduce all France.

Even before governing her.

And now General, shall we sit down?

And tell me,

what are your immediate projects?

What do you suggest?

You better go away.

Yes, the position you occupy now

is much more important even than you imagine.

And of course you will inevitably create enemies.

You can't possibly destroy them as yet.

No, the fruit's not ripe for picking.

Even though it's worm-eaten already.

Yes, France is eaten up by a virus.

This virus is not Barras or Sieyes.

The name of it is fear.

Return in a year.

And give me your confidence.

Well you see perfectly well that I'm giving you mine.

But don't betray me.

(Napoleon laughs)

What are you laughing about?

Do you want me to promise the same thing?

Yes.

Very well then.

I shall never betray you

without notifying you the day before.

What should I do?

Leave Europe.

Listen,

go and have a look at Egypt.

See if the English aren't about.

And since you hate England...

That's not quite correct.

And I should be distressed

if I learned upon waking one fine morning

that England existed no more.

Still, a fine morning is what you said.

Oh...

[Talleyrand] He followed this advice without delay,

leading his army towards Egypt,

anxious to know whether the English were there.

Murat.

What was the secret you were telling Kleber?

What Berthier told me, that's all.

I would appreciate knowing what it was you said.

It was about a gesture that Junot just made.

Gentlemen, I must tell you something unbelievable,

you all lack courage.

What was Junot's gesture?

What was it Berthier said to Murat?

What was it Murat said to Kleber?

It was that you were cheating.

Do you think I'm the only one of you who doesn't know it?

What difference can that possibly make,

as when the game's over I will honestly give back

everything you will have lost.

Then General, would it be indiscreet

to ask why you cheat?

Because I never leave anything to chance.

(soldiers shouting)

Massacre them, Murat!

Does your family ever write to you?

Yes, sometimes.

I envy you.

Do they ever mention Madame Bonaparte?

Now and again a few words.

But of no particular interest.

[Soldier] General Murat.

Conquering hero of the day.

Let me thank you.

The battle was a hard one,

but I'm well rewarded.

You have no equal when it comes courage.

You've rendered up an immense service.

No, no, General.

You're the man of genius, nobody else.

You're not going to speak to him of his wife's escapades?

Why not?

Why should you?

Look at the way he carries on with Madame Foures,

who loves to dress up like a man.

Always calls her his pretty cat.

Oh, that is entirely different.

Your children will be proud to be called Murat.

What do you want?

You just name it, no matter what.

Oh...

Please don't ask me that, I beg you.

Why not?

Anything you want.

I want to marry.

Who...?

Oh, no no, not her.

That's over, finished, done with.

No, there's another.

I adore her. Ah.

And you want me to ask for her hand in marriage?

No, to grant it.

Grant it, how, me?

Yes.

It's Mademoiselle Caroline.

What?

My sister?

Yes.

I'm in love with her.

But, but she's only 16.

I don't believe that is an obstacle.

Caroline?

Madame Murat.

It was you who said my children would be proud

to be called Murat.

No, no.

Please don't refuse it tonight.

But I haven't refused.

You mean you might say yes?

I mean that I might say it.

Thank you.

Tell me, Junot.

I've been thinking about it all the while.

In those letters you receive from Paris,

what do they write about my wife?

Well, it's most embarrassing.

Here is the problem I have to solve.

Must I tell you the truth or be discrete?

You're clumsy, aren't you?

Because you hear some rumor,

you think it's the truth, don't you?

Well?

I'm told that she's deceiving you openly.

Clumsy or not, I strongly believe it my duty to inform you.

It's unthinkable that the wife of so great a man

should make him ridiculous.

Bourrienne!

If all Paris didn't speak of it, I wouldn't echo it.

Do they mention names?

One, that's all.

That's why it's serious.

Barras again?

No, it's over with Barras.

Who is it?

Hippolyte Charles.

That puny wretch I threw out of the army in Italy?

Why, it's impossible!

He's living at Malmaison.

I'm extremely disappointed in you, Bourrienne.

If you were really loyal you would have told me

that which I've learned from Junot.

There you have a faithful friend.

Permit me to have an opinion to the contrary.

As 1,200 leagues from Paris,

it was not very urgent.

I have no need to be near to decide something

concerning me alone.

I divorce her today.

And both of you are witnesses.

And my decision ends my friendship with you.

With you, for having informed me.

And with you Bourrienne for not having done so.

On the 22nd of August he embarked,

not bringing aboard Madame Foures,

and leaving his army in Egypt.

And we landed at Frejus on the 9th of October.

There you can imagine some of the things he learned.

These people didn't speak to him of the Egyptian campaign

any more than they asked him to go to Italy

and win some battles.

No, what mattered to them, and seemed more urgent,

was to overthrow the Directoire,

and to save France.

[Talleyrand] In short, precipitating his return,

he hastened towards Paris to see if his wife

had deceived him,

and saw that France had remained faithful to him.

The Directoire in its death throes was calling for a savior,

and it was to find a master.

Mama.

(speaking in foreign language)

Is my wife here?

No, she went ahead to meet you.

But she's taken the wrong road.

But there's a wonderful surprise.

Come, my son.

[Talleyrand] Awaited by his sisters,

and even more anxiously awaited by his brother Lucien,

who'd recently become a Deputy, and tomorrow to become.

President of the Council of the Five Hundred.

We have to talk alone, right away.

Yes, yes, just a second.

But, what made Josephine go away like that?

Because the news of your return

had got about rather quickly in Paris,

you can well imagine.

No doubt she desired to see you before you saw us.

She's certainly right to suppose

that you've heard many of the rumors

circulated about her in your absence.

Naturally, she's the most envied lady in France.

Not only the most envied,

but her natural flightiness,

the imprudences she commits,

even her past.

And her age.

And all the foolish debts she contracted in your absence.

She's been reproached for all of it,

and perhaps much too thoroughly.

The fact is, all of France is disappointed

you didn't make a better marriage, my dear brother.

It's inadmissible that the wife of General Bonaparte

should be seen everywhere with a young gallant.

It's intolerable that anyone

should ridicule a national hero.

And what they can't understand

is why you should accept it.

But who says that I accept it?

I accept nothing.

I'm no weaker nor more naive than anyone else.

But what I'm not very pleased about is your bitterness.

You have never loved her, never.

And it is possible I'd have cared less

had you thought more of her at the very outset.

I like a family united,

not torn apart by quarrels.

Good night.

All the things of Madame that are here,

every bit of clothing,

coats, dresses, underwear, shoes, hats,

you will put it all in valises, or if need be in trunks,

and leave it all with the gatekeeper,

with orders not to allow Madame Bonaparte to enter.

Should she be thoughtless enough

or audacious enough to return.

That will do, those are my orders.

Rather than see her again,

I would prefer my heart were torn out by the roots.

Am I right?

No.

No?

No.

Is it her?

Yes.

You're not I hope going to ask me

to show her any indulgence?

I wouldn't take that liberty.

But how you at this time can devote even a single minute

to problems of this nature,

I'm at a loss to understand.

Will you please open the door for one minute?

There are things you don't understand.

(knocking at the door)

Oh, I beg you, open please.

(Josephine sobs)

What is the amount of the debts

that you foolishly contracted in my absence?

Tell me.

Perhaps a million.

Monsieur de Bourrienne.

Good morning, Bourrienne.

A very good morning to you.

Ah yes, Bourrienne, that's how it is.

Good morning, Monsieur Bourienne.

Good morning, Madame.

What news is there?

General, in Paris they are only talking

about your return.

The people expect a revolution.

Then Bourrienne they mustn't be disappointed.

But it is important that we spare them the spectacle.

So that faced with a fait accompli,

their role is limited to a commission.

Roustam, my slippers and my robe, at once.

[Roustam] Yes, General.

My intentions for the moment are to remain at home.

Not to accept a solitary invitation, to go nowhere.

To no parties or theatrical presentations.

Not to step outside.

Everybody knows by this time that you've returned.

Well then let them all come here.

But I want it to be said

that I didn't take a single step in their direction.

Thank you.

No, give me some tea, that's all.

I know what I want.

They don't know what I want,

nor do they know what they want.

And how do you know it?

Because I know them.

So my tactics are as follows.

Have them force upon me, what I've already decided to do.

No.

I'm not going out of my way.

If he has something to discuss,

let him take the trouble to come here and discuss it.

I have no wish to run the risk of an affront.

Barras, my dear friend,

you're not simplifying matters at the moment.

I will not call on him at his house.

I'll resign first.

The idea doesn't seem a bad one.

Have you called upon him yourself, Fouche?

Do you think Monsieur de Talleyrand will go out of his way?

Certainly not.

Monsieur de Talleyrand and President Sieyes

request to see you at once, General.

Hm, show them into the salon.

You see, I was right.

Now the parade begins.

Thank you.

Let's go.

Until later, darling.

Ah, Egypt was useful.

Shall we sit down?

I would like you to know, General,

of my very sincere and my very great admiration.

You have covered yourself with glory in Italy and in Egypt.

And through me, all France wishes to express

its profound gratitude.

Coming from you, as President of the Directoire,

these words touch me profoundly.

That's done.

Now my friends, let us be serious.

Why don't we all sit down now.

The Directoire is almost dead.

And since we must never regret anything,

let's say all the better, and let us act.

Monsieur Gohier and Roger Ducos

to see you, General.

They too are on your side.

Of course.

Their opposition would be of little sense or value, if any.

Please show them in.

Yes, right away.

Let me talk.

Ah, my friends, there's not even a second to be lost.

And as of today,

we are to place in the hands of General Bonaparte

the fate of the Republic.

So that he make short work of it.

Go on.

And, since we must set aside a day for that,

is it imperative that we immediately chose a date.

General, shall we say the day after tomorrow?

9th of November, 18th Brumaire in the new calendar, yes.

Then I advise, in accordance with Article 102,

it be decreed that the legislative corps be transferred

to Saint-Cloud,

as well as having General Bonaparte named

commander-in-chief of troops of the Division of Paris.

And of the National Guard.

And of the National Guard.

Monsieur Fouche asks to be received, General.

Show him in.

I was about to say it.

I'm sorry.

But having decided I would open all doors for you,

even your own...

I've only this instant left Barras,

with a remark of his still ringing in my ears.

What was it?

That "I will resign first"

rather than do such-and-such a thing.

He feels quite sick, worn out, unpopular, tired,

more or less ready to retire from government service.

What is your opinion, Monsieur de Talleyrand?

I'm not even sure he doesn't mean what he says.

Well.

Yes.

Here I invited 30 people to luncheon.

And nobody came.

And then I believe that I may dispense

with further comment.

That is the situation, Barras.

And your conduct

is dictated very clearly by the absence of Sieyes,

of Roger Ducos, of Bernadotte himself.

Of Moulin.

Of Gohier.

(distant voices singing)

You'd better resign, Barras.

No.

Give me some champagne.

Yes, and something to write with.

[Bourrienne] Ah, that must be the reply

from the Directoire.

[Talleyrand] And Bonaparte, invested with military power,

thus became the mediator of a situation

where he was to restore order in his own fashion.

Present...

Arms!

Soldiers!

The Council of Elders has given me

command of the city and the Army.

You've been hoping that my return

would bring an end to many wrongs.

I shall fulfill the obligations

imposed on me through your faith,

with liberty, victory, and peace.

The French Republic will regain the position

she occupied Europe

that inertia and treason alone caused her to lose.

General Lefebvre!

Are you with me, or are you returning to the Directoire?

For me there's no question, I am remaining.

To Saint-Cloud!

[Soldiers] To Saint-Cloud!

Citizens, do not force me to adjourn!

I will not have any discussion relative

to the nomination of General Bonaparte

to the command of the Army of the Interior,

which I must ask you to consider as a fait accompli!

(many voices groaning)

- Mr. President. - Thank you.

My friends,

the Directoire no longer exists.

And here are the terms of the resignation

of Citizen Barras.

Citizen President,

having entered public affairs

solely by my passion for liberty,

I only agreed to share with anyone

my direction of the State.

(rolling drums)

[Officer] Present...

Arms!

I return joyfully to the rank of a simple citizen,

content after all this unrest.

The fantasy of the law is violated!

What have you done with our France,

that I left so brilliant?

I left the country at peace, not torn by strife.

This state of things, we will not tolerate!

- Let me... - Let me speak!

In less than three years they would bring us despotism,

but we want a republic.

That republic founded on the basis of equality,

of morality,

of freedom of the people,

of tolerance in politics!

General!

We applaud what you've said!

But swear with us

obedience to this constitution of ours,

that alone may preserve the republic!

The constitution?!

You violated it at the 18th Fructidor.

Violated it the 22nd Floreal!

Violated it the 30th Prairial!

[Man] Down with the dictator!

(shouting)

(loud booing)

Follow me!

Come on, come on!

Get that rabble out of here!

(soldiers laughing)

All semblance of opposition thus disappearing,

Lefebvre recaptured 40 deputies and then conducted a session

that was both droll and ludicrous.

Article number one.

The Directoire is abolished.

(groans)

Article two.

The Constituent Assembly is no more.

(loud groans)

But the constitution remains.

(murmurs of approval)

Article three.

If only tonight we could get the General

to attend the performance of Mehul's new opera.

But he told me yesterday

he didn't want to be seen anywhere.

Yes, but everything's changed now.

Article three, gentlemen.

As a result, the Consulate is instituted,

composed of three members.

Monsieur Abbe Sieyes.

Citizen Roger Ducos, and General Bonaparte.

The three consuls will preside, each one in turn.

Beginning alphabetically?

Compatriots.

Pledge yourselves as we do, to swear your allegiance

to the Republic, one and indivisible.

Founded on liberty.

(operatic singing with orchestra)

(audience joins in singing)

[Talleyrand] Several days later...

Go ahead, Pierre.

[Talleyrand] He made a decision

that historically was to serve his interests.

One second.

Constant!

Please ask Monsieur de Bourrienne to come in.

Read me my letters, Bourrienne, if you please.

General, this letter seems to me of a nature

that is apt to surprise you.

It was written by King Louis XVIII.

Read it to me.

Regardless of their conduct outwardly,

those men such as you, monsieur, never inspire uneasiness.

More than anyone, you know what is required

in force and power to forge the happiness of a great nation.

Save our France, and you will have fulfilled

the first wish of my heart.

Give her back her king,

and future generations will bless your memory.

General, Europe's observing you, glory awaits you,

and I am impatient to restore peace to my people.

Louis XVIII.

Now write.

After all, I can't let the letter go unanswered.

Sir, I have received your letter.

I thank you for all the kind thoughts that you expressed.

You should not wish to return to France.

You could do so only over the bodies of 500,000 men.

And from under the deft hands of the barber,

emerged a different man.

There was a complete transformation

from one day to the next.

And it was deliberate,

because his behavior was extraordinary

from that day forward.

First, he went through a long period of silence.

And since he wasn't the sort of man of whom one could ask,

what are you thinking about,

he was able to keep his thoughts to himself.

But what nobody, not even Josephine understood,

was why he adopted the uniform of a colonel.

He who was a general, and in addition First Consul.

No explanation for it was ever given.

Of fabulous intelligence,

he saw everything,

understood everything,

divined everything.

Having given France an invincible army,

he made himself indispensable by devising the Civil Code,

and useful by creating the Legion of Honor.

I well know that these distinctions are trinkets.

But it is by these trinkets that one may lead men,

civil or military.

[Talleyrand] Named Consul for life,

the great day finally arrived,

and the even that he was waiting for happened.

Write this.

To His Majesty the Tsar,

Emperor of All the Russias.

Sire,

I bring to the attention of Your Majesty...

The delegation from the Senate.

One second.

That's all.

All right, Roustam.

Monsieur the First Consul,

these are the terms of the decision made by the Senate.

Article number one.

The government of the Republic, is entrusted to an emperor,

to bear the title of Emperor of the French.

Article two.

Napoleon Bonaparte, at present First Consul of the Republic,

is Emperor of the French.

It is with profound emotion

that I place this document in the hands of Your Majesty,

at this very instant, proclaiming for the glory

as well as the happiness of the Republic,

Napoleon, Emperor of the French.

All that may contribute to the welfare of the nation,

is inextricably linked to my happiness.

I accept the title that you think useful

to the glory of the nation.

And I submit to the sanction of the people

the terms of the declaration you have made.

Who are those who voted against this decision?

Only one, Sire.

Lazare Carnot.

He is a distinguished exception.

Now, Sire.

Brienne.

Yes, I was thinking.

But let us finish my letter to the Tsar.

How does it begin?

I bring to the attention of Your Majesty...

No.

No, I'll rewrite it.

Start this way.

My royal brother.

I bring to your attention...

[Talleyrand] And then, having restored the dignity

of the title, Marshal of France,

he created 18 on the same day.

Augereau, Massena, Kellermann, Lefebvre, Ney,

Murat, Bernadotte, Lannes, Mortier, Davout, and so on.

(slow processional music)

And during this time,

he was preparing a master-stroke.

He was inviting His Holiness the pope to Paris

to crown him emperor.

Being at Fontainebleau,

the emperor went out hunting at about noon.

Actually it had been agreed

that the meeting should take place there.

And to add a dramatic touch,

the sovereign pontiff and the emperor

were to feign great surprise.

They didn't neglect to do so,

which was amusing enough.

Then the emperor showed His Holiness Pius VII

the wing at Fontainebleau where for two years

he would be under the emperor's wing.

Which was less amusing.

Finally, on the 2nd of December,

the coronation immortalized by David took place.

(grand, processional music)

It was a long time since the emperor has been to war.

However he quickly gives up his first idea

of attacking England,

and instead aims his cannons at Austria.

With a gesture that was to immortalize his hat,

Napoleon left Paris at about six

on the morning of September the 24th, 1805.

And we are now going to try to follow him.

Victor at Donauworth, now he personally enters the fray.

Murat covers himself with glory at Wertingen.

(soldiers shouting)

Then, immediately after the dazzling victory of Marshal Ney,

the emperor had the town of Ulm bombarded.

Segur.

(cannons firing)

[Talleyrand] And he sends General de Segur

to the commander-in-chief of the Austrian armies

to ask if he is prepared to surrender.

At eight o'clock on the 19th, he does surrender.

And beginning the next day, in the presence of Ney,

33,000 prisoners marched by, laying down their arms

at the emperor's feet.

Giving up as well 40 standards and 60 cannon.

This new victory encouraged Napoleon to continue the war.

(fife-and-drum music)

We are going into a battle

which will determine the future.

I entrust command of my left wing to Marshal Lannes.

The right wing to Marshal Soult.

The center to Marshal Bernadotte.

And the entire cavalry

to Prince Murat.

Murat, will you please hold your tongue.

General Suchet's division

will be to the right of Marshal Lannes.

And finally, Murat's cavalry

will be behind Kellermann's hussars.

Look, the sun is with us.

Engage the enemy

and return victorious.

I salute you, gentlemen.

[Officers] Vive la France!

(trumpets)

[Talleyrand] Obscuring the plain with their dark mass,

the Austrians immediately joined battle.

His flank menaced,

his cannons spiked,

Davout loses ground.

Intoxicated by success,

the Austrians and their Russian allies sweep forward.

The eagle, waiting for them,

then gives an order

that he is going to unleash his fury on Austerlitz.

[Soldiers] Long live the emperor!

(soldiers shouting)

[Talleyrand] Murat's charge

changes the outcome of the battle.

(soldiers singing)

From that moment, the victory was considered

an accomplished fact.

And the Imperial Guard went in

to put in the finishing touches.

(soldiers singing)

From that day forward,

all Europe was his.

Good evening, sit down.

The things that I have to say are of extreme gravity.

The idea that first came to me

was to speak to each of you separately,

but being aware of a certain amount of dissension

among most of you,

I decided to re-unite you,

and inform you of the decisions that concern you

and that I've made.

No one may flatter himself with having

a greater family sense than I, as I will prove.

Joseph.

Joseph, you are the oldest of us,

so I will address myself to you first.

On my accession to the throne

I made you First Prince of the Blood.

Today I make you King of Naples.

Luciano,

I made you Prince of Canino.

And I'll never forget what you did for me,

and how you helped me the 18th of Brumaire.

But you most unhappily contracted a marriage

that deprives me of the pleasure

of giving you the crown of Spain.

But, I don't want anything.

No, that's true, you don't want anything.

But what is important is to assure the Empire

a line that is valid.

On the one hand, Joseph not having a male child,

your children rightfully succeed me.

Since Corvisart tells me I cannot possibly have one.

Although I'm certain it's Josephine who is at fault.

Nonetheless, if I still hesitate to divorce her,

that is why.

Luciano,

for the last time I'm asking you.

Divorce, marry the daughter of a king,

and keep your wife in the background.

Which would dishonor her, myself, and my children.

I refuse.

Tomorrow you will have your passports for America.

Very well,

Sire.

Louis.

I make you King of Holland.

I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty.

Jerome,

because you have consented to break that marriage

with Miss Patterson,

and because you're marrying

the Grand Duchess of Wurttemberg,

as soon as you're married you'll be King of Westphalia.

Since this is the honor you see fit to bestow on me,

I most profoundly thank Your Majesty.

They all seem eager to bow to the wishes of the emperor.

And if you think for a second that Jerome

will give up his little American for the sake of a throne,

you're mistaken.

Nobody asked you for your opinion, hold your tongues!

To hear you talk, anyone would think that I had robbed you

of the inheritance of a royal father.

Say goodnight to me, and go argue if you must,

somewhere else.

Yes, I'm coming.

We'll see about that.

Perhaps, later.

We'll see.

And as for you, my dear brothers,

set an example in dignity.

Abstain from those frivolous pleasures

that are degrading for the heart

and a detriment to the state.

[Talleyrand] Yes, in other words, he might have said,

do what I say, not what I do.

Good evening, Mademoiselle.

Good evening, sir, oh I'm sorry.

Good evening, Sire.

I'm not nervous, believe me, but.

Oh, no?

Not a bit, really.

I was suddenly so excited at your resemblance.

To whom?

To you.

It's amazing how much you resemble yourself.

Of course it's true, we see your picture everywhere.

There's probably no one better-known than you.

What is your name?

Eleonore.

But, I'd be glad to change it if you like.

Eleonore, is that all?

No, Denuelle.

And there's more to it.

Denuelle de La Plaigne.

It seems I'm the daughter of the old San Forblas,

but how can one be certain?

Married?

We're divorcing.

Do you see each other?

Five minutes a month.

Yes, the rules are very strict in prison.

Ah, he's in...

In prison, yes.

He's a scoundrel.

He prefers rascal, but he's still a scoundrel.

Please may I sit there?

In my place?

No, on your knee.

Do you think I'm pretty?

I do.

Well?

Hm?

Well I've heard you're always impatient,

but don't change your habits on my account.

It would be strange for a man who spends his life

giving orders to take them from a poor, weak woman like me.

Kiss me, won't you?

I'm sure you can do better.

(she laughs)

Now you're doing too well.

But you don't frighten me one little bit.

[Talleyrand] But on September the 25th, 1806,

he left again,

his objective being Prussia.

And on October the 14th, he and the Prussian army

were to meet at Jena.

(drum roll)

(fife-and-drum music)

The emperor, having levied a war penalty

of 159,000 francs on Prussia,

is symbolically presented with the keys to the city

by the Prince of Hartzfeld.

On December the 20th,

the emperor is in the chateau of Valtice.

What is it, my friend, you seem excited.

With good reason, Sire.

A message from Paris just arrived

that will give you the greatest of joy.

On the 13th of December, Mademoiselle Eleonore Denuelle,

whom you knew in Paris.

Hm, I remember very well.

Gave birth to a child of the male sex

and who resembles you marvelously,

she says.

And she requests that you give the child a name.

She would also like to know how you want it registered.

I'm not jumping with joy, Duroc.

Because this is more grave than pleasant.

And it may have consequences that are incalculable.

[Talleyrand] From that day on,

he thought about it constantly,

thus putting poor Josephine in great danger.

But suddenly,

the Tsar interferes,

and puts his hands on Poland.

On the pretext, false incidentally, of defending her.

(speaking in a foreign language)

On my counsel, the emperor swears to protect

this poor Poland.

I am named governor...

You were ordered to Warsaw on the 2nd of January,

and in accordance with your nomination...

I agreed.

Poland was Marie Walewska.

You are late, Madame.

You're wearing a wreath of laurels, but no jewels.

And your dress is white.

And yet Madame you are perfectly aware

that the Emperor Napoleon prefers ladies

to be dressed in pink, and more decollete than you are.

Prince,

the provisional government of my country

requested me to keep myself at the disposition

of the Emperor Napoleon.

I believe that this dress would be fitting for a sacrifice.

(flourish of trumpets)

[Man] Madame la Comtesse Walewska.

Tell me!

There is a woman from whom I have not hidden

the sentiments that inspires in me.

And whose visit I have awaited each evening

for the last week.

But in vain.

There is a woman to whom I,

I've written burning letters,

to whom I've sent flowers,

to whom I've sent beautiful jewelry.

And who boldly sends them back.

Well, Sire,

you can see I wasn't lying

when I spoke so highly of the nobility

of this small country.

Take my advice and say no more about it.

You may recollect that one day, I gave my word

that I would never betray you

without first notifying you the day before.

So, should Poland, by your doing,

fail to recover its independence...

What would happen?

Come on, speak!

Sire, that would be the beginning of the end.

Madame la Comtesse Walewska.

As you see,

I wear a pink dress.

So I see, why?

You remember the first time that you asked me

to come here?

And you did not come.

It would only have been for Poland.

I disliked being a political arrangement.

At the second summons,

there was first Poland, then you.

And the third time?

You, and then Poland.

And tonight?

I have come for you alone.

[Talleyrand] From conquest to conquest.

The following month, the emperor is victorious at Eylau.

Five months later, on the 19th of June, 1807,

Napoleon is at Tilsit.

And on the 25th, on a raft which is moored

at an equal distance from both banks of the Neman,

the emperor receives the Tsar of All the Russias,

for whom he affects a surprising fondness.

And shortly thereafter he welcomes the king of Prussia.

On September the 22nd, he leaves once again,

this time for Erfurt.

He has decided upon a divorce,

there's no question about it.

He swears to himself so to inform the empress

upon his departure.

But there are looks in a woman's eyes

that constrict the heart.

Especially when the woman, extremely well-informed,

would rather not hear any more.

Prince?

Hm?

Haven't you forgotten to tell us that in Spain...

No no, Madame, no no.

No no no, I haven't forgotten a thing.

No, please let me tell you of the emperor in my fashion,

disregarding this evening all that history

would inevitably omit in the future.

But, still, Trafalgar?

Oh, it's all right if the English want to remember it.

Let them.

He prepares Wagram and passing down the line,

he indicates to each one the goals that must be reached.

He counsels Oudinot, he speaks to MacDonald.

He sees Massena, wounded the day before,

reviewing his men from a carriage.

July the 6th, 1809.

Wagram.

And when night came, the Grande Armee rested.

His grenadiers had raised all about the emperor

a pyramid of drums,

and he slept thus protected from the enemy

and from the cold.

(soldiers slowly singing)

(slow fife music)

(singing in French)

I wouldn't want my imperial husband to imagine

that I am totally ignorant of his innumerable

and constant infidelities.

What is more I receive enough women

to have a detailed file.

Thus I knew of your adventure

that lasted interminably with Madame Neuchatel.

And in Cairo, your scandalous liaison with Madame Foures,

who often dressed as a man.

Neither was I ignorant of your adventure with that Grassini,

the Italian singer.

You might also like to hear of my excellent friend.

Carlotta Brentano.

Perhaps you'd rather we talked about Countess Walewska?

Well,

don't forget someday we will.

Divorce.

Divorce.

Divorce.

Her Majesty, the empress.

[Talleyrand] And so the fatal hour sounded for her.

By wanting to save her love, Josephine had lost her throne.

With the permission of our dear and august husband,

I do declare that, no longer nourishing the hope

of having children

who would satisfy his political project,

and the interests of France,

I prefer to render him the greatest proof of attachment

and of devotion that has ever been given on this earth.

I think I demonstrate all these sentiments

in consenting to the dissolution of a marriage

that from now on is an obstacle to the welfare of France.

With the dissolution...

[Talleyrand] Subsequently, she retired to Malmaison,

which the emperor abandoned to her.

What if we discuss the future?

The immediate future.

Yes, enough about divorce.

Yes, speak of marriage.

Well, I'm hesitating

between several princesses.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

we turn to you.

Your Majesty should not hesitate.

I know of your admiration for the Tsar's younger sister.

But an alliance with Moscow

is bound to annoy Germany, Austria, and England.

Then it's Austria.

Undoubtedly.

And what is she like?

Austria?

Marie-Louise.

Charming,

charming.

Lovely.

Pretty.

Ravishing.

I'll take this.

Why not take her with it?

If I eventually decide on Marie-Louise,

it's you, Berthier,

who will be sent to Vienna as our ambassador.

Marriage?

Marriage.

(piano music)

(applause)

Ah, he's truly a man of genius.

Do you think His Majesty will request another selection?

Yes the Eroica symphony.

Naturally.

(speaking in foreign language)

(Beethoven's "Eroica")

So she doesn't know what's going on?

No, not as yet.

And whether you understand German or not, my dear Marshal...

I understood everything.

Of course, and you can therefore imagine

how vital it is that His Majesty and myself

enter it with care and prudence.

We must be extremely diplomatic.

(speaking in foreign language)

What does the princess ask Monsieur de Neipperg?

How it was that Beethoven

chose to the Eroica Symphony.

The Eroica Symphony?

What's the significance?

She hates the Eroica.

(speaking in foreign language)

What did he just tell her?

Marriage.

Napoleon.

(piano music)

[Talleyrand] The 27th of March.

He and Murat go to meet Marie-Louise.

March the 20th, 1811.

He is waiting.

What is he waiting for?

The birth of the king of Rome.

For he has already given him this fabulous name.

And no one had better come to tell him

that it might be a girl.

Well?

Sire, this is not going too well.

What are you going to do?

Sire, we may have to lose one or the other.

You must save the mother.

That's her undeniable right.

But above all, don't lose your head.

Treat her like a shopkeeper on the Rue Saint-Denis.

And forget if you please that she's the empress.

Corvisart.

Thank you.

[Talleyrand] And, nevertheless it all went off normally.

It's a son.

A son.

I'm the happiest man the world has ever known.

Thank you.

It seems he only waited for that to return to war.

[Man] General Caulaincourt.

Ah, good.

And on September the 7th, 1812,

he won the brilliant victory of the Moskowa River.

(marching music)

I cannot find words that seem sufficiently grand

or exact or noble

to describe the courage all of you have shown.

I've searched for many hours,

and all I find are names of villages.

Eckmuhl, Essling, Wagram, Danzig.

I should like to give them to you.

Massena, I name you prince of Essling.

Lefebvre, duke of Danzig.

Berthier, prince of Wagram.

Kellermann, duke of Valmy.

MacDonald, duke of Taranto.

Davout, prince of Eckmuhl.

Duroc, duke of Frioul.

Marmont, duke of Ragusa.

Murat, you are king of Naples and I'm proud to confirm it.

And to you, Marshal Ney,

great victor of the day

and already duke of Elchingen,

I name you prince of the Moskowa.

But don't you have too many illusions on that score,

if someone asked one day, how is the prince of Essling?

They'd reply that Massena is quite well.

The emperor is served.

After you.

- [Officers] No, no. - Yes!

(drum roll)

(trumpets)

[Talleyrand] General Caulaincourt was there.

Let him take up the story.

At Moscow there awaited him the greatest,

the most impressive and stunning surprise

that a warrior might have.

All of the inhabitants had deserted Moscow.

And every window and door had been left open.

There was nobody to fight.

And the victory that he won there

was to prove a disastrous one.

Having reached the Kremlin

and entered the Tsar's apartments,

he couldn't believe his eyes.

He was treated to the most terrifying spectacle

that could be imagined.

Moscow in flames.

Thus the Tsar sacrificed his principal city

so that Napoleon could never say that it had been his.

Then there was the retreat.

Horrible, indescribable.

Gigantic.

[Talleyrand] And since he simply

had to put the responsibility on me

and those who were back in Paris,

the emperor summoned me and Fouche.

I wanted to see you both.

To see you both together.

Fouche.

You are a traitor!

A bandit, a thief.

And you have too soon forgotten

that you voted for the death of King Louis XVI.

I have never forgotten, Sire.

It was the first service I was in a position

to render Your Majesty.

That is all, you may go!

You're no longer my minister.

I should hang you, Fouche.

Sire, I am not of your opinion.

As for you, Monsieur de Talleyrand,

you have conspired against me.

Sire, I did not conspire, except during those periods

when I had the majority of France as my accomplice,

and where together we sought only the good of France.

And in any case,

there has never been a conspirator so dangerous to you

as yourself.

You're a thief, a coward, and a traitor!

A man without faith.

That's an exaggeration,

and all that is exaggerated is insignificant.

You don't believe in god, do you?

To you, nothing is sacred, you'd sell your own father.

You're nothing but scum dressed in some stockings.

- Oh! - Oh!

Yes, Madame, and more's the pity that such a great man

should have been so coarse.

But already he was off to the wars again.

For despite the family ties that bound him to Francis II,

Austria had declared war on the emperor,

allying itself with Russia and Prussia.

The armistice of June the 1st was thus broken,

and the war renewed.

And this time

he felt the wind of defeat whistling about him.

It is at Fontainebleau that we next find him.

And it is there that he himself next finds his men

in a most lamentable state.

Demoralized.

And still he labored under certain illusions.

I must have Ney, Marmont, MacDonald,

and Berthier here within the hour.

And we shall fight on, even in Paris.

But Sire,

aren't you afraid of creating another Moscow?

But my friend, I'm obliged to meet the enemy

wherever Providence will allow.

Just leave it to me.

Sire,

do you know what's happening in Paris?

No.

The provisional government of France

has just proclaimed your dethronement.

They cannot do it.

Only the people have that right.

And as to the Allies, I will crush them in Paris.

No, Sire.

There's no way out of this situation.

There's only one solution to be considered, Sire.

Abdication.

You're wrong, gentlemen,

the soldiers do not agree with you.

They think only of fighting,

and of giving their lives for me and for France.

Even though they haven't any ranks

or special privileges to protect.

I advise you follow them, marshals,

since it appears you're afraid to lead them.

Sire, the army will not march on Paris!

The army will do as I say!

I only have to give the word and they will go anywhere!

That is all, you may go.

So France is in danger.

And they want to deprive her of the best soldier she has.

[Talleyrand] Pitiful indeed he was.

But he seemed to accept it,

and it was that especially which was pitiful.

I think it took two hours before I understood.

Because the Allies have proclaimed

that the Emperor Napoleon is the only obstacle

to the reestablishment of peace in Europe,

the Emperor Napoleon,

faithful to his oath, hereby renounces all rights

for himself and his heirs

to the throne of France.

And declares that any sacrifice he personally might make,

even of his life,

he is ready to make in the interests of France.

Sire,

never have you been so brave.

[Man] The emperor!

(drums rolling)

Officers,

non-commissioned officers,

and soldiers of my old guards.

I bid you farewell.

For 20 years now, we have traveled together

the road of honor

and of glory.

I leave you.

Don't pity me my lot.

If I consented to remain alive

it's so I might continue in the service of your glory.

Farewell.

I would like

to clasp each one of you to my heart.

Let me at least salute your general

and your colors.

[Soldiers] Long live the emperor!

The farewells were heart-rending.

Even more so because they contrasted

with the return of the gouty King Louis XVIII,

overjoyed in the recovery of his kingdom.

It was an absurd idea to offer the emperor

the sovereignty of the island of Elba.

40 times smaller than a province of France.

He lived there a prisoner,

tirelessly reviewing his tiny army.

Yet, one day, destiny had a surprise for him.

He'd had two rooms prepared, one for the empress,

the other for the king of Rome.

And while these two remained in Vienna,

Marie Walewska and their son landed at Portoferraio.

Marie.

What a happy surprise to have you both here.

Do you think so?

- Yes. - Why?

I have an impression she's come to fetch him.

Accept the idea, I'd never believed he'd retire

after one defeat.

Never.

How extremely rare are those one loves enough

to remain silent in their presence.

Do you think I might break this silence

for one minute nevertheless?

By all means.

I feel that you should be advised, Sire,

of what is happening in Paris.

You know they are waiting for you to come back,

that you're expected.

And that poor Louis XVIII is being called an old idiot,

and that in foreign lands he is the target for cruel jokes.

Have you considered returning?

You have considered it?

And will it be soon?

Oh, thank heavens.

Rest assured, when a man like that is silent

for hours at a time, he's usually planning.

And what does Napoleon plan, if it weren't to fight?

[Napoleon] When people talk about you,

do you know what they say?

What they call you?

[Marie] No.

[Napoleon] The Polish wife of Napoleon.

And it's so very true.

[Marie] I love you.

[Talleyrand] And on March the 1st,

the emperor stepped ashore at Golfe-Juan.

The news spread throughout France and Europe

with the rapidity of wildfire.

Yes, Marshal Ney must go then.

And without regard for the past, to place him under arrest,

having no other consideration but the good of France.

It should have a crushing effect.

Anyway, I hope so.

Sire,

Marshal Ney, with orders from the king.

Prince of the Moskowa,

aren't you ashamed?

Yes.

[Talleyrand] The emperor approaches,

and the king withdraws.

It is rare that a man seen from behind

is able to maintain his dignity.

And the war begins, again.

They come from everywhere.

Austria, Berlin, Moscow, England.

(marching music)

June the 19th.

From daybreak, alone he faces the whole of Europe,

and engages the Battle of Waterloo.

Attacks, hand-to-hand fights, charges, furious skirmishes,

all fused to turn the plain into an inferno.

Marshal Ney leads the attack six times,

is repulsed six times,

and returns to the attack six times.

Every yard won is almost a victory.

The eagle was waiting for Grouchy.

He arrives, it's he!

No, it's the Prussians led by Blucher.

From that moment, one might say, hope changed camps,

and the tide of battle was reversed.

Bring forward the Guard!

(soldiers singing)

[Talleyrand] The Imperial Guard,

whose charge always heralded victory,

entered the inferno

to die immortal.

Conquered, his wings clipped,

the eagle was to disappear from the black skies of battle.

Napoleon abdicated for the second time.

And it was into Fouche's clutches that he abdicated.

Fouche had become president of the provisional government.

A sinister movement if ever there was one.

The emperor immediately took refuge at Malmaison,

which since the death of Josephine,

was occupied by her daughter, Hortense.

And there, for three days, at all hours of the day,

fresh desertions took place.

While a new devotion which he had not foreseen

manifested itself.

General Count de Montholon,

Jena, Madrid, Eckmuhl, Wagram,

wounded five times in the service of Your Majesty,

begs the honor of accompanying the emperor into exile,

and of remaining at his side until he dies.

Thank you.

My love, I too wish I might go with you.

Marie.

It's impossible?

For many reasons you know very well.

So you think you will never be able to return?

(Marie sobs)

How horrible.

Monstrous.

I never dreamed that I would have the audacity

to make this confession.

But I would hate myself all my life

if I kept it locked in my heart.

I love your look,

so grave, yet tender.

I love your hands, strong yet gentle.

I love your lips, and most of all I adore your smile

when you hold me in your arms.

I know you must have heard this many times.

Countless women have surely told you the same thing.

Never.

Never?

Never.

Have you seen the emperor?

- No. - No.

What is it?

Sire, it is a belt.

But I would appreciate your wearing it.

But why?

Because I've sewn my diamond necklace in the pouch.

Oh, no.

Don't refuse it.

Thank you.

[Talleyrand] Shortly after,

he learned that the advance guard of the Prussian Army

already occupied the outskirts of Paris,

and that he had to leave Malmaison within the hour.

Oddly enough,

from this day forward, all that was to take place

was to enhance his glory and his great renown.

He became invulnerable.

If all the countries united in a congress,

and combined their efforts for the sole purpose

of assuring the emperor's immortality,

they could not have acted differently.

By not accepting the great man who asked

to take part in the deliberations,

by persuading themselves that he had been vanquished,

as though Waterloo wiped out Austerlitz.

And subsequently by making martyrs,

in ignominious and revolting executions,

of all those who had previously betrayed him.

Shoot at the heart!

Fire!

Avoid my face!

Fire!

[Talleyrand] By exiling him to Saint Helena,

Saint Helena, an arid rock.

His Excellency, Governor Hudson Lowe.

[Talleyrand] By placing his infinitely precious person

in the custody of an individual who was narrow-minded,

stubborn, mean, brainless, heartless, and uneducated.

By providing a ridiculous residence for him.

By depriving him of all

that might have relieved his boredom.

By censoring his letters before giving them to him.

Having him attended by a doctor of dubious qualifications.

By calling him general, and not emperor.

And by the governor constantly repeating

that he knew of no emperor on the island of Saint Helena.

Who addressed him curtly as.

Monsieur.

[Talleyrand] By condemning him to a slow death.

The Grande Armee.

Very good.

[Talleyrand] By writing nothing on his tombstone,

they have thus made him a legend forever.

For on December the 15th, 1840,

thousands upon thousands of Frenchmen

awaited the immense catafalque

that was bringing his remains to Paris.

But, their hearts governing their eyes,

this is what they saw.

(marching music with trumpets)

(somber piano music)