Overview
Witness the rise of a military genius during a time of revolution and war.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- monumental
- intense
- dramatic
- historical cinema marathon
- silent film showcase
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a compelling and visually vivacious silent historical epic whose formal ambition and battle spectacle remain impressive despite its extraordinary length.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The narrative follows Napoleon Bonaparte from childhood through his early military career amid revolutionary France.
Abel Gance combines rapid montage, vivid tints and hues, and monumental battle imagery within an extended silent-film format.
The film places Napoleon's youth and career against the French Revolution, with figures including Robespierre, Danton, Marat, and Saint-Just.
Its 425-minute runtime, two-part presentation, restoration history, and sweeping battle scenes make duration part of the viewing experience.
Films like Napoleon, and why
Lawrence of Arabia
ambitious historical biography rendered as a visually monumental epic
The General
stylized silent-era historical spectacle centered on a charismatic military leader
A Man for All Seasons
large-scale biographical historical drama combining political upheaval with personal ambition
Movie Details
- Director
- Abel Gance
- Release Date
- 1927-01-10
- Runtime
- 425 min
- Rating
- 7.8 / 10 (230)
Cast
- Albert Dieudonné
- Nicolas Roudenko
- Edmond van Daële
- Alexandre Koubitzky
- Antonin Artaud
- Abel Gance
- Gina Manès
- Nicolas Koline
- Annabella
- Marguerite Gance
Common questions
- What is Napoleon about?
- Abel Gance’s monumental silent portrait traces Napoleon Bonaparte from turbulent youth to the threshold of military greatness through dazzling, revolutionary cinema.
- What is Napoleon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Napoleon as brisk, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Napoleon violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Napoleon as graphic.
- What did critics think of Napoleon?
- Critics broadly regard it as a compelling and visually vivacious silent historical epic whose formal ambition and battle spectacle remain impressive despite its extraordinary length.
- Which films are like Napoleon?
- Films with a similar feel include Lawrence of Arabia, The General, and A Man for All Seasons.
- How long is Napoleon?
- Napoleon runs 425 minutes.
