Ridley Scott, the visionary behind cinematic marvels like Gladiator and Blade Runner, is once again in the limelight with his upcoming historical epic, Napoleon. The film, which is set to hit theaters on November 22, has been the subject of much discussion, particularly regarding its director’s cut.
The theatrical release of Napoleon has a runtime of approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes. But, the English filmmaker has been vocal about a more extensive director’s cut, which, as of recent updates, stands at a staggering 4 hours and 10 minutes. Speaking to Total Film, Scott remarked:
I’m working on it. It was four [hours] 10 [minutes] this morning. And so what will happen is, we’ll screen [the theatrical cut] first with Sony, and then it has its run, and then the perfect thing is that [the director’s cut] goes to streaming, and we have four hours 10 minutes.
Scott’s penchant for director’s cuts isn’t new. His previous works, such as Blade Runner and Kingdom of Heaven, have seen extended versions that have provided audiences with a more in-depth exploration of the characters and the plot.
For Napoleon, this cut promises a more profound insight into the emperor’s first wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais, and explore her life before her fateful encounter with Napoleon.
One of the intriguing aspects of this film’s production is Scott’s efficiency. He managed to shoot the entire feature, which includes six grandiose battle sequences, in a mere 62 days, as he revealed.
Every scene is geometry. By having 11 to 14 cameras, we shot Napoleon in 62 days. I’m doing Gladiator 2 now in 54 days, because I’m not doing 50 takes with one camera, on one shot, and then turning around.
Joaquin Phoenix, the actor who captivated audiences with his portrayal of the Joker, will take on the role of the titular French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. The storyline will delve deep into Napoleon’s meteoric rise and subsequent fall, all while shedding light on his tumultuous relationship with Joséphine, played by Vanessa Kirby.
The anticipation surrounding Napoleon is evident from online forums, not just because of its grand historical account and stellar cast, which includes names like Tahar Rahim, Ben Miles, Matthew Needham, and Rupert Everett, but also due to Scott’s reputation for delivering cinematic masterpieces.
As the theatrical release approaches, fans and critics alike are eager to witness Scott’s rendition of one of history’s most famous figures. With the complete vision of a director who sees cinema not just as entertainment but as art, history, and a mirror reflecting the complexities of the human soul, we can expect the director’s cut to be as entertaining as it is enlightening.
Napoleon’s director’s cut will premiere on Apple TV+, but no release date has been announced yet.
