Napoleon Shoots Up the Pyramids in Trailer for Ridley Scott’s Movie [Watch Trailer]

Ridley Scott, the accomplished octogenarian filmmaker, is set to release his grand period-piece passion project financed by Apple this fall, joining the ranks of Martin Scorsese in showcasing his directorial prowess.

Maintaining an impressive record of seven feature films in the past decade, Scott brings the captivating life of French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte to the silver screen in November.
The recently unveiled trailer for the film offers a tantalizing glimpse of what awaits audiences, featuring equestrian warfare, distinct accents, and an unexpected infusion of Radiohead trailercore, all hallmarks of a Ridley Scott historical epic.

Within the trailer, two elements stand out in abundance. The first is Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon, history’s renowned short-statured ruler, engaging in spirited banter with Vanessa Kirby’s Josephine, who playfully taunts him with remarks like, “You are just a tiny little brute that is nothing without me.”

Surprisingly, Napoleon seems to relish the exchange. The second prominent aspect is the portrayal of Napoleon’s penchant for demolishing structures with cannons. The trailer showcases him brutally decimating a rebellious mob, obliterating warships (presumably British, although not explicitly stated), and even taking aim at one of the great pyramids of Giza.

Furthermore, he boldly attacks an opposing army on a frozen lake, leaving viewers wondering: Did Napoleon truly fire upon a pyramid?

This raises questions about the liberties taken by Scott and screenwriter David Scarpa, who previously collaborated on “All the Money in the World” and will reunite for the upcoming “Gladiator 2.”

While it is true that Napoleon invaded Egypt and engaged in a significant battle near the pyramids in 1798, there is no historical record of him using a cannon to damage these ancient wonders.

In fact, it is more likely that the filmmakers have fused the actual Battle of the Pyramids with the mythical tale of Napoleon’s troops shooting the Sphinx’s nose during target practice.

Historical novelist Shannon Selin sheds light on Napoleon’s time in Egypt, debunking misconceptions and revealing a less destructive and endearingly nerdy side.

During his visit to the pyramids, Napoleon challenged members of his entourage to climb one, and a mathematician named Gaspard Monge emerged as the victor. As they reached the summit, Monge and his competitors shared a celebratory sip of brandy.

Napoleon even pondered the idea of using the pyramid stones to construct a colossal 10-foot wall encompassing the entirety of France, a notion supposedly verified by Monge, although fueled by their indulgence in brandy.

While it would have been delightful to witness these lighthearted moments on screen, Scott possesses a keen eye for bombastic visual metaphors.

By depicting Napoleon’s transition from employing phallic weapons to annihilate revolutionaries to utilizing them in an assault against the embodiment of history itself, Scott masterfully drives his message home.

Beyond its thematic depth, “Napoleon” promises to be visually stunning. Moviegoers can mark their calendars for the film’s theatrical release on November 22nd, eagerly anticipating Scott’s interpretation of this enigmatic historical figure.

Watch the Napoleon movie below: