Napoleon Dynamite

Amazon.com

As deadpan comedies go, Napoleon Dynamite stands in a class all its own. Played by John Heder, the title character is (in the words of critic Roger Ebert) "the kind of nerd other nerds avoid," a mouth-breathing dweeb with a mangy nest of orange hair, and ungainly features that suggest a perpetual state of half-conscious depression. He lives in Preston, Idaho (former home of 24-year-old director Jared Hess) with his thrill-seeking grandma and 32-year-old brother, and his days at high school consist mostly of being abused or ignored by indifferent classmates. Napoleon's sad-sack story doesn't offer the scathing, impassioned humor of Welcome to the Dollhouse because Hess (who cowrote the nearly plotless screenplay with his wife, Jerusha) doesn't have an angst-ridden axe to grind. Instead, the comedy (which exists in a tacky universe of worn-out rural suburbia) is so low-key that some will find it difficult to laugh, while others (i.e., those who feel superior to Napoleon) will have plenty of fun at Napoleon's expense. The result is a curiously uneven film, hilarious at times, but hampered by its own sense of affectionate mockery. An audience favorite at the Sundance film festival, Napoleon Dynamite may not be entirely lovable, but it's definitely unique. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Napoleon Dynamite is a new kind of hero, complete with a tight red 'fro, sweet moon boots, and skills that can't be topped. Napoleon spends his days drawing mythical beasts, duking it out with his brother, Kip, and avoiding his scheming Uncle Rico. When t

Customer Reviews:

Did I miss something?.......2007-09-15

There was alot of hype surrounding this movie but for what? I finally saw it after everyone was saying what a good funny movie it was. I thought it was corny and not really funny at all. You had a few dorky kids in high school that were outcasts and got picked on and singled out in class. Now is that funny? A lot of us experienced that in school and it's not funny when it's happening to you. Now I'm a laugher and a smiler, but this movie got very few laughs out of me. I didn't even finish the movie. I got bored with it.

The best thing about "Napoleon Dynamite" is its title.......2007-09-11

I did not know much about this independent comedy, until I saw it last weekend. I had heard that it was a surprise favorite at 2004 Sundance festival where it was met with non-stop laughing. Since I admire off-beat humor and am a big fan of a good comedy, I was ready to love or at least like "Napoleon Dynamite". I was sorely disappointed. The best and the funniest thing about "Napoleon Dynamite" (2004) is its title. By the title alone I expected the movie and its main character to be charismatic and brave as Napoleon I and explosive as dynamite or at least, unpredictable, fresh, and original. Guess what, it is none of the above. First and foremost, the movie is so boring, slow, and non-interesting that I could hardly manage to sit through it. Yes, I've read the comments that Napoleon, and his two equally sleep-walking friends, Pedro, the most impossible candidate for school president and Deb, the girl we should believe Napoleon might have a crush on and few more high school cliché characters are exactly like the regular students in a regular high school. Even if it is true and I hope that it is not always the case, I don't have to sympathize with the trio of walking zombies. ND and his friends are so bored and boring that their boredom becomes contagious - for me it was. I did not find anyone on the screen slightly interesting, leave alone sympathetic. Well, there was one exception, Napoleon's and his older brother Kip's, 32 years old Internet chat rooms addict's grandmother who was injured in a dune buggy accident (that sounded interesting or at least promising) and taken from the screen after the first fifteen minutes. She was lucky - she did not have to endure the presence of her complete idiot-nephew Rico, the ex-jock of the 1982, a door-to-door salesman, whose adventures or projects did not contribute a single funny scene or even a joke to this sophomoric excuse for a movie.

While trying not to fall asleep, I was thinking of the others, more successful and much better first movies that might have been the inspiration for ND. Wes Anderson's debut, "Bottle Rocket" (1996) even if not a masterpiece is often hilarious and always original. Todd Solondz's first feature which explores the similar subject, "Welcome to the Dollhouse" (1995) is a terrific film - brave, and passionate - real dynamite. Napoleon Dynamite" is simply forgettable.

Not Just Anoher Teen Nerd Story, This Is Both Original & Very Funny.......2007-09-05

If you like dry or dark humor, you should get a big kick out of this movie. I know I did. If you are between 12-20 you might even like it more because this deals with high school kids primarily. However, there are some adults in here who play key roles, too.

The teens and the adults have a couple of things in common: they are nerds and weird people and they are ALL hilarious. They also are unlike a cast of characters you have seen in any other movie. In other words, this movie is an "original."

I didn't know any of these actors and I think that helped. It made it even more original, looking at new faces. That begins with the title character, played by Jon Heder. A white kid in Idaho with a afro haircut, over-sized glasses, moon boots and an unpredictable and low-key personality unlike anyone I've ever seen in other films. Even though he's pictured as a huge nerd, he surprises you all the time. Just when you think you have this kid figured out, he does something unexpected. Whatever, he's fun to watch and hear throughout the movie.

Suffice to say "Napoleon" and about everyone in this film is totally whacked and all of them - male, female, young, old, good and bad people are extremely entertaining. A lot of the humor is visual, meaning the looks and reactions on these character's faces and the weird deadpan lines they deliver. Are there stereotypes in here? Yes, like the bimbo, prettiest girl in school running for class president , and her stupid, macho boyfriend, but most of the people were pretty unique.

If you like absurd humor, this is your cup of tea, and you don't have to be a teen to enjoy this. Hey, I'm old enough to be Napoleon's grandfather and I laughed my butt off from the beginning to the end of this unconventional film.

Sweet.......2007-09-03

One of those movies you can watch over and over again and it makes you feel better. Fairly clean humor too.

Complete waste of time.......2007-08-30

I watched the first fifteen minutes of this movie and turned it off. I found it to be boring and completely unfunny. The characters were unappealing. I enjoy a movie with characters I can admire or relate to, or who are intriguing. There is nothing admirable or intriguing about this collection of uninspired, flat characters. This movie appeals to our impulse toward self-loathing. We relate to the characters because they reflect the ugliest parts of our self-image. This is true in many popular comedies. The characters of Will Farrell and Ben Stiller aren't clever or inventive or even just plain bizarre. They are simply degraded images of humanity. Give me Super Troopers, where the characters are silly but at least they have self respect. Give me Shaun of the Dead, where again, the characters are silly, but they have humanity and love for each other. The characters of Napoleon Dynamite are portrayed as a collection of turd scraped off the bottom of your shoe. It isn't funny. It's disrespectful and almost blasphemous. We should be better than to think this movie is funny.

Average customer rating:

Big Band Music At Its Finest
Great Classic
Glenn Miller's music still lives
Delightful!
The Glenn Miller Story

The Glenn Miller Story
Starring: James Stewart , June Allyson , Harry Morgan , Charles Drake , and George Tobias
Director: Anthony Mann
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00008DDRT
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Amazon.com essential video

James Stewart, at his warmest and most avuncular, plays the bandleader who rocketed to fame during the swing era. The Glenn Miller Story may be a whitewashed version of Miller's life, but it certainly is a pleasant example of the feel-good Hollywood biopic, with the usual conventions: early struggles, loyal wife (June Allyson at her chirpiest), personal sacrifice--Miller joins the Army when war breaks out, although he doesn't have to--and ultimate tragedy. All the Glenn Miller classics filling the soundtrack make the film pretty easy to take, too: "Moonlight Serenade," "A String of Pearls," "Chattanooga Choo-Choo." Miller plays the great "In the Mood" with his military band during a World War II air-raid warning. Pure corn, but it works. Director Anthony Mann, better known for his superb series of hard-bitten fifties westerns with Stewart, keeps the story moving gently and gracefully. A hot jazz interlude features Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Big Band Music At Its Finest.......2007-09-12

This is an excellent movie for anyone who is into ANY kind of music. As the songs unfold, they can surely be recognized by almost every generation. Glenn Miller's music will always have an impact on the entire musical industry. The actors in this story do a wonderful job of portraying their parts, plus, as an added bonus, the "cameos" of greats like Gene Krupa, "Satchmo", and the like. If you're into music, this is a priceless addition to your DVD collection.

Great Classic.......2007-07-24

This movie is a Great Classic. It moves kind of fast but you get the points. I wasn't even born when this movie was filmed but it's an all time great. If I'm depressed this movie is a pick up even though the hero dies in the end.

Glenn Miller's music still lives.......2007-06-11

The music of Glenn Miller defined the music of the WWII generation. If you remember the music or just really like the "Big Band" sound of that time (like I do) this is a great DVD to have. Jimmy Stewart is believable as the lanky Miller. The photos of the young GIs marching in review before the commanding general with smiles on their faces and a swagger in their steps are priceless to see. I love those young men of the Greatest Generation. My dad, mom, aunts, uncles, father and mother-in-law were a part of them. When I look at the young faces of the GIs I want to cry for them. A great movie to watch and to get to hear some really rousing big band sound from your TV again. We have lost a lot of great musicians to plane crashes. Miller's plane was hit by a bomb from a bomber flying back to base with bombs still on board who was told to drop them in the ocean. A terrible shame, a waste, and a loss.

Delightful!.......2007-05-12

Generational, touching and the music speaks for itself. What a loss of a talent!

The Glenn Miller Story.......2007-04-25

If you like Glenn Miller, you will love this movie. I first saw it when it first came out in 1954. It is a great story about the man who wanted to develope his own sound. Jimmy Stewart and June Allison play very believeable parts, depicting the early life and final days of a great love and a great musician. The band in the movie includes many original Glenn Miller Orchestra members. Also interesting to see was a young Harry Morgan.

Napoleon Dynamite - Like, the Best Special Edition Ever!

Average customer rating:

Did I miss something?
The best thing about "Napoleon Dynamite" is its title
Not Just Anoher Teen Nerd Story, This Is Both Original & Very Funny
Sweet
Complete waste of time

Napoleon Dynamite - Like, the Best Special Edition Ever!
Starring: Jon Heder , Efren Ramirez , Jon Gries , Aaron Ruell , and Diedrich Bader
Director: Jared Hess
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000EHSVQE
Release Date: 2006-05-16

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

Did I miss something?.......2007-09-15

The best thing about "Napoleon Dynamite" is its title.......2007-09-11

Not Just Anoher Teen Nerd Story, This Is Both Original & Very Funny.......2007-09-05

Sweet.......2007-09-03

One of those movies you can watch over and over again and it makes you feel better. Fairly clean humor too.

Complete waste of time.......2007-08-30

Average customer rating:

Day and Lemon--Good combination
It Happen to Jane
Happy Classic American Love Comedy.
Quirky and fun
It Happened to Jane

It Happened to Jane
Starring: Doris Day , Jack Lemmon , Ernie Kovacs , Steve Forrest , and Teddy Rooney
Director: Richard Quine
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00070HK2Y
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Amazon.com

Doris Day was nearing her popular zenith, and Jack Lemmon just hitting his stride, when they teamed up for It Happened to Jane, a small-town comedy in the Capra vein. Doris is a widowed mom whose Maine lobster business is snarled by railroad tycoon Ernie Kovacs (hiding behind a skullcap and a huge cigar), the "meanest man in America." Her lawsuit against him, aided by lawyer-suitor Lemmon, gains national headlines. This is a curious movie: crucial scenes seem to have been left unwritten, while sequences involving Cub Scouts and an oddly impassioned Town Hall Meeting go on endlessly. Director Richard Quine was making some fun movies around this time (Bell, Book, and Candle), but the fizz is only intermittent here, mostly provided by Lemmon's jack-in-the-box youthfulness. Doris sings a couple of tunes and brings her downhome tomboy routine to New York City, where the movie employs some of the quaint TV personalities of the day. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Day and Lemon--Good combination.......2007-08-23

Good movie. Fun to watch. The stars are good and the movie is another classic. Good old time family fare.

It Happen to Jane.......2007-08-23

I am a big fan of Doris Day and anything she is in is great for me. I am also a good fan of Jack Lemmon

Happy Classic American Love Comedy. .......2007-07-15

In a sense this movie is exciting.
Doris is stout, but plays a pretty woman.
Jack Lemmon responds with her well.
The last is over in happy ending while feeling nervous on the way, and a story is happy for me.

Quirky and fun.......2007-04-06

Classic Doris Day romantic comedy. Three cheers for the "little guy" standing up and winning against the "big corporation".

It Happened to Jane.......2007-03-08

I was required to see a movie and I choose this one because of the clean language, humor and overall pleasure in whatching a Doris Day movie.

Average customer rating:

Napoleon
Cute movie!!
the cutiest little movie!!!!
songs??
Napoleon

Napoleon
Starring: Jamie Croft , Philip Quast , Susan Lyons , Coralie Sawade , and Brenton Whittle
Director: Mario Andreacchio
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000056H2B
Release Date: 2001-03-06

Amazon.com

This live-action feature follows the adventures of a golden retriever puppy who chafes under his given name of "Muffin" (much preferring his own choice of "Napoleon") and who travels through the Australian outback in search of his canine roots. Plopping, as puppies will do, into a basket suspended by balloons one day, Napoleon drifts from the home of his mother and human family, eventually landing on the rocky shore of Sydney Harbor. There he becomes acquainted with a chatty parrot named Birdo Lucci (say the name aloud, you film buffs) and encounters all manner of animals in the wild: a cagey koala, a maternal kangaroo, an irritated lizard, and the dingoes with whom he wants to bond. The film was produced with an eye toward pleasing young audiences practically anywhere on earth, and the sight gags and visual thrills have a broad, universal appeal, while the many creatures in this film are given human voices on the soundtrack (any language would do, but the English-language actors include Joan Rivers and Dame Edna). On the downside, the dialogue can be a bit coarse ("shut up," "stupid," that sort of thing), though it's never obscene. And while no animals were hurt during the making of the movie, some of them certainly look as if they're placed in stressful situations. --Tom Keogh

Description

Join a precocious golden retriever pup as he takes off on a magical journey to the wilds of the Australian Outback in this wonderful all-animal adventure. Napoleon is a wonderful treat the whole family will love! Life as a house pet isn't much fun for young Muffin, a puppy who dreams of being a "wild dog." So when he gets his chance to escape his suburban backyard in a helium balloon-powered basket, the pup hops on board, changes his name to Napoleon and sets off on the adventure of a lifetime. Along the way he meets some very special friends a chatty parrot, a wise owl, a clever koala and more who help him on his journey for excitement. But fun isn't all that Napoleon discovers on his quest for adventure...he also learns more about the world and himself than he ever thought possible.

Customer Reviews:

Napoleon.......2007-03-27

I haven't watched this DVD yet, but it arrived quickly and in excellent condtion

Cute movie!! .......2007-01-18

This movie is about a golden retriever puppy named muffin, -(though he likes to be called Napoleon)- who is done with being a city pup, and wants to answer the call of the wild dogs. Finally getting his chance, he climbs aboard a wicker basket with balloons, and sets off on an adventure to find the wild dogs.

If you love talking animals, then I strongly recomend this movie. It also has great, heartwarming music by Bill Conti.(You may cry at some of the songs, I know I did). Enjoy!

the cutiest little movie!!!!.......2006-10-01

I first saw this movie at a friends house and now I am in love with this movie. Every time I go over there, I'd always ask to watch it! The puppy is sooooooo cute and everything else about it is adorable! I'd totally recommend it to anyone!

songs??.......2006-03-11

i was just wonering if anyone knew what the name of the theme song to napoleon was? you know "maybe our paths will meet someday... maybe somewhere, somehow" or whatever the words are?? i would really like to know the name so i can find the song because it makes me cry every time i listen to it. i have been looking for this song since i can remember so i would really appreciate anyones help :)

Napoleon.......2005-12-20

This film was an average childrens'film starring animals.It is quite unusual thoough because of the storyline and the hilarious scene where a dog starts to drown and the other dog calls out something along the lines of: "Nyenci, Nyenci, please save Nyenci!" I would buy it for this reason alone so go on and watch Nyenci drown in a fit of laughter! You know you want to! CONSUME CONSUME CONSUME CONSUME etc.

Average customer rating:

"Creepshow 2" is enjoyable but nowhere near as good as it's predocessor.
NOt better but a good sequel I'll tell why
CHEAP LOOKING CREEP
I feel the need, the need... for WEED!
not as good as the orginal,but still good

Creepshow 2
Starring: Domenick John , Tom Savini , George Kennedy , Philip Dore , and Maltby Napoleon
Director: Michael Gornick
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000509C4
Release Date: 2001-03-26

Amazon.com

What is it about hitchhikers that makes them such a sure-fire bet for horror? This question is addressed in the final segment of Creepshow 2, another Stephen King-George Romero collaboration. "The Hitchhiker" is the simplest and best of the three tales on display here, with Lois Chiles as a cheating wife who just can't seem to get rid of a hitchhiker... no matter how hard she tries. The collection gets off to a slow start with "Old Chief Wood'n Head," a sleepy story of Native American justice. "The Raft" is a passable teens-in-peril number, but it worked better on the page than on screen. Romero adapted the King stories but emphatically did not direct, which accounts for the drop-off from the kicky fun of the first Creepshow. King appears as a dimwitted truck driver--a foreshadowing of Maximum Overdrive? In any case, this one's for diehard fans only. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

"Creepshow 2" is enjoyable but nowhere near as good as it's predocessor........2007-08-09

"Creepshow 2" **1/2 out of ****
"Creepshow" was a classic horror film because of it's originality and teaming of Stephen King and George A. Romero creating a feel of the 1950's EC horror comics. "Creepshow 2" is definitely not a classic, but it manages to carry a little bit (but not enough) of that feeling. The stories aren't as well constructed or concieved, but that doesn't mean they're not enjoyable.
"Ol' Chief Woodenhead" **1/2 out of ****
Starring George Kennedy; A kindly old couple who own a general store are robbed and murdered by three thieves, but the Indian statue outside their store comes to life and seeks revenge. A standard revenge story made better by the presence of George Kennedy.
"The Raft" ***1/2 out of ****
The best of the three stories! Two couples are trapped on a raft on a secluded lake being stalked by a man-eating oil slick-like creature (kind of like the love child of Jaws and The Blob) in the water. It's terrorfying and creative with a great twist ending.
"The Hitch-Hiker" *** out of ****
Starring Lois Chiles with an appearance by Stephen King as a truck driver; The second best story here. A cheating wife is on her way home from a late night session with her lover when she hits a hitch-hiker in the road. She decides to make it a hit and run, though as she drives further away, she wrestles with her conscience about it aloud. Would she get away with it? Is the man dead or alive? Should she turn herself in? Then her conscience begins to haunt her in the form of the dead hitcher who keeps coming back saying "Thanks for the ride, lady!" It is chilling at first but becomes a bit redundant and predicatable.
The big problem with "Creepshow 2" is it's too shot at only three stories instead of five. Also "Creepshow 2" might have been better if it were directed by George A. Romero as the original. Still, it is an enjoyable movie and ownable only as a companion piece to the original.

NOt better but a good sequel I'll tell why.......2007-07-17

OK first off, I'm a huge EC Comics fan, and Creepshow was a great tribute to those old comics. I love the first film, The cRate being my all time favorite story on Creepshow, when I was 9 it scared the crap out of me. I cherish that film, Creepshow 2 to most people is greatly inferior, and well it is inferior but not hardly. The 2nd Creepshow suffered from a low budget and the fact it was cut from 5 stories to just 3. Thanks you studios. The dirsctor did a good job though considering. The 1st story is weak and not as good as it could be, But The Raft is a great show on par with The Crate, This is actually a improvement on Stephen Kings story with a way better ending. The 3rd story is pretty good and in the most EC style. PLus you have Tom Savini as The Creeper, this is a good film in style while it would have benefited from a better budget and two more stories. Its not the best but it there is some fun to be had. Just don't buy the horrible Creepshow 3 as it has nothing to do with these films only in name.

CHEAP LOOKING CREEP.......2007-04-12

Not once has anyone ever seen such a collection of low-budget wierdness. You can't blame the actors; they are pretty good. Blame the lame storylines, lousy music, and stupid props.
Just trust me. Not scary, not thrilling, not worth the time. The only thing great here was the cute topless girl, to be honest.

I feel the need, the need... for WEED!.......2007-01-07

The original Creepshow was a landmark in horror film history,(did I review that one yet?) and the second installment only adds to the glory of the first. It had 3 stories instead of 5 like the first one, but that's probably because they are longer tales. When I look back at the history of horror films, this one is always one of the firstor should i say second that I think of. This is a must have for any collector or film lover.

One last thing... Thanks for the ride, lady!

not as good as the orginal,but still good.......2006-11-20

this edition of Creepshow brings another tide of terror and fear to your DVD collection.There are three stories in this film:

1.Old Chief Woodenhead-an old wooden Indian comes to life and gets revenge on a group of hoodlums that murder his creators.An old-fashioned scare-up.

2.The Raft-Five friends go out to a secluded lake for fun,but are soon trapped by a malavolent monster in the lake.

3.The Hitchhiker-A woman is put through a terrible ordeal when a man she runs over keeps coming back to life.Thanks for the ride,lady!

Napoleon Dynamite Flippin' Sweet Collector's Set

Average customer rating:

This set if flippin sweet

Napoleon Dynamite Flippin' Sweet Collector's Set
Starring: John Heder
Manufacturer: Fox Searchlight Pictures, Paramount Pictures, MTV Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000FT9KYI
Release Date: 2007-07-10

Product Description

2-Disc Special Edition DVD with Napoleon Dynamite and Kip Dynamite Head Knockers, Set of 5 All-New Removable iPod Sticker Covers

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

This set if flippin sweet.......2007-08-09

Included is iPod covers that are truly unique along with the movie and the two funniest bobble heads that I have ever seen. The bobble heads are relatively small, probably less than 6 inches tall but very detailed and good for a laugh.

Average customer rating:

Great Video, But too long

Empires - Napoleon
Starring: David McCullough (II)
Director: David Grubin
Manufacturer: Pbs (Direct)
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000GG4Y5A
Release Date: 2006-10-10

Description

For nearly two decades he strode the world stage like a colossus -- loved and despised, venerated and feared. From his birth on the rugged island of Corsica to his final exile on the godforsaken island of St. Helena, NAPOLEON brings this extraordinary figure to life. NAPOLEON bears passionate witness to a man whose charisma swayed an empire and sparked his exalted belief in his own destiny.

Customer Reviews:

Great Video, But too long .......2007-08-04

This is a great video, but it is too long to show in a high school world history class (why I bought it).

Average customer rating:

The Last Hundred Days
The Return of the Emperor
Not a good transfer
A TRULY EPIC FILM.........
Great movie, second rate DVD

Waterloo (1971) with Rod Steiger

Manufacturer: The Castaways Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000CC4GEW

Product Description

Format: Color, IMPORT, NTSC, ALL REGION, WIDESCREEN. AUDIO: DOLBY DIGITAL in ENGLISH. SUBTITLE LANGUAGES: Chinese, English. PRIMARY ACTOR: Rod Steiger SUPPORTING ACTORS: Orson Welles; Christopher Plummer; Jack Hawkins; Virginia McKenna. DIRECTOR: Sergei Bondarchuk PRODUCER: Dino De Laurentis Plot Summary (from imdb.com) : 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.

Customer Reviews:

The Last Hundred Days.......2007-04-16

"Waterloo" is the lavish 1970 Italian-Russian dramatization of Napoleon's return from exile in 1815 and his subsequent campaign against an Allied military force in Belgium, culminating in his decisive defeat at Waterloo.

A brief prologue traces the circumstances of Napoleon's abdication from his throne as Emperor of the French in 1814 and his exile to the Island of Elba. The movie opens with Napoleon's daring return, as the sheer power of his personality cult enables him to face down the very forces sent to take him into custody. Napoleon's return to Paris prompts the Allied Coalition that forced his abdiction to reform and send British and Prussian armies into Belgium.

The movie features excellent period authenticity. Actors appear in the correct uniforms and equipment; the battle scenes feature large formations of infantry and cavalry moving over a battlefield that generally resembles the Mount St. Jean original in Belgium.

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.

The Return of the Emperor.......2007-03-19

Who better to portray Napolean Bonaparte than actor Rod Steiger. The start of the movie sets the precedence of the film. Other scenes could have just as well been used with cameras aimed at Napolean's hands crossed behind his back as he faces his former troops after fleeing from the island of Elba. This movie does not begin at the start of Napolean's life nor does it show his early rise to fame as an artillery officer. It doesn't show him taking the crown from the pope or declaring himself emperor. This movie begins at the end of Napolean's career. You couldn't have done it any other way.

Not a good transfer.......2007-03-12

I have this on VHS and its great. I burned a copy to my DVD and it still looked good. For some reason this purchased DVD looks worst then my DVD copy. The colors are more muted and the widescreen looks small. Love the movie so why can't they do a better DVD. On the other hand, the service from supplyer69 was great

A TRULY EPIC FILM................2007-02-24

Director Sergei Bandarchuk recreates the 1815 battle of Waterloo. The phrase 'They just don't make 'em like that anymore' immediately comes to mind. You will never see another film made on this scale again with literally a 'cast of thousands' of uniformed soldiers and extras. Vast in scope. It will all be CGI from now on, which can be very good, but will never equal this kind of huge undertaking. The only scene's that can top these are from Russian director Sergei Bondarchuk's previous, even more epic film, War and Peace. I think I can remember reading in Guiness Book of World Records one time that he used 100,000 men from the Russian Army to recreate the 1812 battle of Borodino in what may be, adjusted for inflation, the most expensive film in history. I understand he again used Russian Army soldiers as extras for this film.

This is a film that deserves a top notch remastering into HD. This version is good and well worth watching but you will understand what I am saying because of the tremendous amount of detail present in the film that just does not fully come across in this transfer.

I thought Christopher Plummer played Wellington to perfection as far as everything I have ever read about him and his actions during the battle. Rod Stieger is great as Napoleon with all of his personal quirks. All of the other actors seemed well cast.

I don't know if it's true that there is a longer version or not but a few early scenes do seem rather disjointed such as the part where Napoleon has just won the battle of Ligny. There is absolutely no lead in for the viewer and virtually no developement of the character of the Prussian Marshall Blucher. If you had never read on the subject you would be completely lost. Some of the scenes perfectly recreate famous paintings of the battle I have seen such as the charge of the Scot's Grey's and the attack of Napoleons 'Old Guard'. The attention to detail is superb.

This version has one problem and that is the subtitles will not turn off once you have turned them on, so don't do it. The English subtitles are completely rediculous, if you actually read them, they are so far off from what is actually being said to be a complete joke. Otherwise, it's Chinese characters, which are at least less distracting than the assinine and distracting English one's. How this is the only version available is beyond me.

So do yourself a favor and check out this great film.

Great movie, second rate DVD.......2006-05-25

This looks like a VHS copy onto a DVD, and sounds like one also. Such a great picture needs a studio remastering onto DVD, why this hasn't happened is beyond me. I would have given this 3 stars, but it is such a wonderful movie with so many real extras in the battle scenes. Rod Steiger is outstanding.

Napoleon (TV Miniseries) (3-Disc Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

The best since Abel Gance's chef-d'oeuvre
A great introduction
History Comes Alive!
Fabulous set design, loved the acting, doesn't get any better than this!
OK miniseries saved by Isabella Rossellini

Napoleon (TV Miniseries) (3-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Christian Clavier , Isabella Rossellini , Gérard Depardieu , John Malkovich , and Anouk Aimée
Director: Yves Simoneau
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00008IOWU
Release Date: 2003-04-29

Amazon.com

One of the Great Lives gets the full-scale miniseries treatment in this lavish international co-production (which aired on A&E). Even at a six-hour running time, there's barely room for all the extraordinary twists and turns of Napoleon Bonaparte's turbulent career as Emperor of France, from his brilliant early military victories after the Revolution to his megalomaniacal attempts to reign over all of Europe. While there are battle scenes galore, and court ceremonies staged with eye-popping pomp and circumstance, this production keeps returning to the intent, watchful face of Christian Clavier's Napoleon. The hawk-eyed, pint-sized actor appears born to play the role, and he draws out the humanity within the icon. Clavier dominates the film, although Isabella Rossellini's Josephine is heartfelt enough to convince you of the passion between these two, which later turned into a kind of pragmatic contract. (Hard to keep your love life straight when you're trying to rule the world.) John Malkovich, in his exquisite-decadent mode, provides amoral political advice as Talleyrand. Napoleon has the usual problems of international moviemaking, including the toneless line readings of supporting actors and the patchwork of accents. And it must move from A to B to C in predictable fashion, the curse of the historical biography. Abel Gance's silent epic Napoleon remains the cinematic standard for this life, but A&E's version gives a satisfying dramatic overview. --Robert Horton

Description

From the campaign that transformed the Corsican outsider into a French hero to his bitter, final defeat at Waterloo, NAPOLEON charts the course of the man who defied centuries of tradition and forced his will upon a continent. Adapted by Didier Decoin (Les Miserables, Jakob the Liar) from Max Gallo's bestselling novel, this epic production explores the private struggles, political intrigues and bloody battles that marked Napoleon's tempestuous rise and rule. Directed by Yves Simoneau (Nuremburg, Amelia Earhart), NAPOLEON boasts an extraordinary international cast featuring Isabella Rossellini, Gerard Depardieu, John Malkovich, and Christian Clavier.

Customer Reviews:

The best since Abel Gance's chef-d'oeuvre.......2007-09-04

It is beyond me how people who are supposedly interested in Napoleonic history can dismiss this film as "a bore fest", given that the battle scenes are abundant and superbly orchestrated.
Clavier, a versatile actor, does a wonderful job in bringing Napoleon's unassuming dignity and impassionate bravery to life. No shmaltzy bullcrap and cheap melodrama from him, and that is duly appreciated given the recent history of Napoleonic cinema. The fact that his accent is "too French" is simply a ridiculous criticism.
Rosellini is absolutely perfect for the role of Josephine, and the devious Malkovich truly is Talleyrand come back from the grave.
A nice addition was Depardieu as Fouche.
Too short yes, but worth every penny that was put into it.
I greatly enjoyed it, and I honestly think that it is the most accomplished portrayal of the big N on the big screen ever since Abel Gance gave us the definitive (and still) unsurpassed standard.
Definitely worth watching, even if you're not big on history.

A great introduction.......2007-08-16

I admit that aside from what I learned on this DVD, I know very little about Napolean. That being said I absolutely loved this set. It played just like a movie, so you wouldn't know it was a documentary at all. It is very entertaining and flows nicely. I can't say if the facts presented are facts indeed, but I am certain that I know a significantly more about Napolean now than I did before watching this.

History Comes Alive!.......2007-04-01

This mini-series made the French Revolution come alive! The love affair betwee Napoleon and Josephine is one of the key elements of this four part series. Make sure you get the full four episode version. There's a shorter two-part version with narration. It's not what you want. One review stated that this was the most expensive mini series ever produced in Europe. The acting is great. The music is superb.(I purchased a CD of the soundtrack). This is a part of history that I just can't get to in my high school World History class. So we view this (in many installments) long before we ever would reach that time period. Some of my students are genuinely sorry when we finally reach the end.
A great investment!

Fabulous set design, loved the acting, doesn't get any better than this!.......2006-12-11

I have to agree with Michael La Vean's review in many ways. La Vean's review mentions that the film must have had an unlimited budget. I had this same thought throughout the entire film. You will be in heaven for 6 hours if you love extremely detailed period design & costumes (here most, possibly all - I can't remember - were filmed in the historically correct chateaux & palaces). If you adore fabulous 18th & early 19th century French interiors, which I am sadly obsessed with, then you will absolutely be entranced. It was all executed so incredibly well down to every last detail.

The acting in the film was magnificent. Isabella Rossellini was incredibly charming as the character of Josephine. This was by far the best role that I've ever seen her play. Christian Clavier was so charming I developed a bit of a crush on him by the end of the movie. John Malkovich, was extremely convincing and played his role absolutely beautifully as well. I consider him to be one of the few (if not the best) great actors of this age. Gerard Depardieu played his role wonderfully. If you were to read a novel with a character similar to Napoleon you wouldn't believe it to be possible for someone to have had such a productive life in the short amount of time spent on earth. A beautiful film that I will treasure for many years! I hope that A&E will be able to continue be involved with equally beautiful films based on history!!!

OK miniseries saved by Isabella Rossellini.......2006-08-13

I personally can't think of much that's memorable about this miniseries - except the performance of Isabella Rossellini as Josephine. She's a solid lookalike for the real Josephine and gives real depth to the character in her dealings with Napoleon, his family and her children. I think she's a lot better in the role, actually, than pretty-girl Jacqueline Bisset in the 1987 miniseries "Napoleon and Josephine", which seemed at times to be more of a cleavage-fest than anything else. Christian Clavier is OK as Napoleon but seems to be a bit too aged to start with to convincingly play the young Bonaparte. The design and costuming work, on the other hand, is top-notch.

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