The BEST episodes of Napoleon
Every episode of Napoleon ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Napoleon!
For the first time ever, Napoleon the man and legend is depicted on screen in all of his facets: as a man of human needs and desires, strengths and weaknesses; as a soldier, politician and visionary who raised himself above his fellow mortals and transformed himself into a myth. "Napoleon" sweeps away the pathos of previous portrayals and presents its subject in all of his complexity and contradictions. It provokes questions and challenges common assumptions. It paints a portrait of Napoleon that respects the facts and depicts him as a man whose life can still move and inspire all of us today. This 4 part mini-series won the 2003 EMMY AWARD for outstanding costumes, along with 6 further nominations.
#1 - 1812-1821 The Immortal of Saint Helena
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/17/2002
The snow surprised the Grande Armée in the immensity of the Russian plain. The disaster is such that the enemies of France demand that the Emperor renounce all of his conquests. Napoleon tries to assert his marriage with Marie-Louise who rallied him to the house of Austria, in vain. And it's war again. He must throw all his forces into battle. Feeling the wind turn, the most faithful soon abandon him.
#2 - 1807-1812 The Emperor of Kings
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/10/2002
Will the blood shed in Eylau be enough to establish a lasting peace? Napoleon wants to believe it when he meets Tsar Alexander and the two men become friends. However, the durability of the Empire seems tenuous, Josephine not being able to give him an heir. The Spanish Civil War, the Tsar's betrayal and the scheming of those close to him ended up weakening Napoleon who, after another difficult campaign, was forced to sacrifice Josephine for reasons of state.
#3 - 1800-1807 The Sun of Austerlitz
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/8/2002
Paris 1800, Christmas Eve. Napoleon, First Consul, narrowly escapes an attack. Advised by Talleyrand, his minister, he organised the kidnapping and arrest of the Duc d'Enghien, cousin of Louis XVI and presumed leader of the plotters. The execution of Enghien assures him the support of the Jacobins who see in him the only man capable of preventing the return of the monarchy. Napoleon is crowned Emperor of the French. The powers of Europe, however, do not recognise its legitimacy and declare war.
#4 - 1795-1800 The Song of Departure
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/7/2002
1818, Saint Helena. Exiled in the middle of the South Atlantic, Napoleon remembers the time when he was just a young general without pay: his ambitions, his republican convictions, his meeting with Josephine. Then the first battles and the first victories... On the way to glory at just 27 years old, Bonaparte was already dreaming of transforming France and emerging from anarchy.