Napoleon
Born in 1769 to a poor but aristocratic Corsican patriot family, 6 year old Napolon Bonaparte is enrolled in a French academy, where his military career begins. His capabilities are amply demonstrated with a series of dazzling victories in Revolutionary France's Italian campaign. He becomes obsessed with and marries Josephine, a widow, and begins a meteoric rise to power. He gradually compromises his egalitarian ideals and crowns himself emperor in 1804. After he establishes himself as master of Europe with victories in battles like Austerlitz and diplomatic alliances, he embarks on a series of decisions that mark his decline and fall: an ill-advised occupation of Spain, his divorce of Josephine and marriage into the Hapsburg family, and his disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. After a failed attempt to return to power culminating in final defeat at Waterloo in 1815, he spends his remaining years defining his legacy with his memoirs.
- 2000-2000
- 1 season
- PBS Home Video
- Documentary, Action & Adventure
Born in 1769 to a poor but aristocratic Corsican patriot family, 6 year old Napolon Bonaparte is enrolled in a French academy, where his military career begins. His capabilities are amply demonstrated with a series of dazzling victories in Revolutionary France's Italian campaign. He becomes obsessed with and marries Josephine, a widow, and begins a meteoric rise to power. He gradually compromises his egalitarian ideals and crowns himself emperor in 1804. After he establishes himself as master of Europe with victories in battles like Austerlitz and diplomatic alliances, he embarks on a series of decisions that mark his decline and fall: an ill-advised occupation of Spain, his divorce of Josephine and marriage into the Hapsburg family, and his disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. After a failed attempt to return to power culminating in final defeat at Waterloo in 1815, he spends his remaining years defining his legacy with his memoirs.
Season 1 Episode Guide
4 Episodes 2000
Episode 1
To Destiny
Wed, Nov 8, 2000 60 mins
Napoleon: Episode 1 talks about his upbringing on the island of Corisica. It talks about his struggles being forced to go school in France. It talks about the impact the French Revolution had on the young Napoleon. After graduating from the Royal Military College he returns to Corsica to help establish himself them but instead gets exiled from his own country by it's leaders. Talks about his involvement in the battle of Toulon and his defeat of the English there. Talks about his courtship with Josephine and their marriage. Talks about how he was promoted to Brig. General after disrupting the civil riots in Paris in 1795. It ends with his defeat of the Austrians and the Piedmonts at the Battle of Lodi.
Episode 2
Mastering Luck
Wed, Nov 8, 2000
This episode illustrates that Napoleon was not the megalomaniac that he is often depicted due to the fact that he believed in justice for all and tolerance of all religions. We see here some of his accomplishments despite some violent opposition from much of Europe. He gave credit and promotions where it was due even to folk that were low-born.
Episode 3
Summit of Greatness
Wed, Nov 15, 2000
Episode III witnesses Napoleon conquer most of Europe in a series of brilliant triumphs, including his legendary victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. To sustain his rule, he must keep fighting. But when he invades Spain, he has begun to reach too far.
Episode 4
The End
Wed, Nov 15, 2000
Episode IV describes Napoleon's downfall, including the invasion and subsequent retreat from Russia, and his final battles, in which all of Europe is arrayed against him. Exiled to Elba, he returns to France after just ten months, only to be defeated for the last time at Waterloo. Napoleon spends his final days exiled on an island far out in the Atlantic, where he writes his memoirs and reinvents his legend.