The Emperor's New Clothes (2002)

Product Details: The Emperor's New Clothes (2002)

Edition:

DVD . See other editions

MPAA Rating:

PG

Release Date:

12/10/2002

UPC:

097363408147

Directed by:

Alan Taylor

Featuring:

Ian Holm, Iben Hjejle, Tim McInnerny. See all cast

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Synopsis: The Emperor's New Clothes (2002)

Synopis: History tells us that Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile on the desolate island of St. Helena in 1821. Or did he? This film supposes a more fanciful tale. A secret network of loyalists hatch an ingenious plot: the Emperor (Ian Holm) will return to Paris, while a double takes his place in exile. Trading identities with a dissolute sailor, Napoleon is spirited back to France to reclaim his throne. Yet, early on in the scheme, the plan goes awry. The double refuses to give up playing Napoleon thereby stranding the former Emperor in Paris. Friendless and alone, he meets and falls for a beautiful widow (Iben Hjejle). Ian Holm puts on a double performance as both the humbled Emperor and his grandiose imposter.

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Features: The Emperor's New Clothes (2002)

Features: DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection

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User Reviews: Emperor's New Clothes

1. Great, touching fun

   , July 17, 2002
   Reviewer: Gabriel S - See all Gabriel S's reviews

   Overall:
   Picture:
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   Features:

   A big measure of how I rate a movie comes from how I feel at the end of
   it. I was feeling really good after this one.
   
   Quick plot outline: Napoleon (an awesome Ian Holm)
   is exiled on the isle of St. Helena, but
   someone has been found who looks exactly like him. So he has
   concocted a simple plan: have him and the lookalike switch places,
   and then after Napoleon arrives in Paris, have the fake announce to
   the world that he is a fraud, in essence telling the world Napoleon
   has escaped and therefore paving the way for Napoleon to return to the
   throne. But the plan doesn't go as predicted: the ship Napoleon travels on
   sails by France for one, and the fraud is not quick to give up his oh-so
   dreary exile. When Napoleon does arrive in Paris, as per the plan,
   he stays with Madame Truchaut, the wife (Iben Hjejle) of a now deceased
   soldier who had started a fruit-selling business after his military career
   had ended. Napoleon and Madame Truchaut get to know each other and her
   kindness begins to chip away at his hardened heart. Needless to say while
   this is happening, the fake is not quick to tell to the world he is an
   impostor as he's been cleaning the poop decks of Napoleon's ships for
   years. And the real Napoleon begins to see the real cost that his reign
   cost France.
   
   The basic story is not new but it is done really well. Ian Holm is a VERY
   believable Napoleon, always walking like a soldier, talking
   in a straight and curt manner, and in general giving the impression
   he was born in a war room. He's also quite funny as Eugene Lenormand,
   the fake who's playing Napoleon. The film could have easily been
   a flop - mixing a love story with Napoleon is obviously a sticky wicket. But
   it doesn't get too serious for it's own good, or too funny. It's a great
   mix. The film doesn't spend too much time on the fake, which it easily
   could have for laughs. The story is about the real Napoleon, and it stays
   focused. There is also a great scene where a rival for Madame
   Truchaut's affections, a doctor (an unctuous Tim McInnerny), tricks
   Napoleon into coming to a mental institution, where Napoleon sees
   a whole bunch of crazies pretending to be him. He looks at himself: is
   this the legacy he left France? Is he looking at himself and not liking what
   he sees? It's a cool scene. It makes it all the more powerful as the
   doctor knows his identity, and seems to get a twisted yet
   humbling satisfaction from humiliating and defeating the great Napoleon,
   not to mention freeing up Madame Truchaut for himself.
   
   But I was still smiling a lot through the movie, and that's something I
   don't find a lot these days. Maybe you will too. Highly recommended. ...

   Full Review | Permalink

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