Napoléon (1927 film)

Napoléon, also known as Napoléon vu par Abel Gance (Napoleon as Seen by Abel Gance), is a 1927 French silent historical epic film directed by Abel Gance. It depicts the early life and career of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The film is particularly notable for its innovative cinematic techniques, including rapid editing, extensive use of location shooting, point-of-view shots, multiple-camera setups, and the pioneering use of a triptych process, where three projectors are used to create a panoramic wide-screen image in the final act. This triptych sequence, known as Polyvision, was a major technical achievement for its time.

Napoléon was originally conceived as the first of six films about Napoleon's life, but only the first part was completed due to financial and logistical challenges. Despite its incompleteness, the film is considered a landmark in cinematic history and a masterpiece of the silent era.

Several versions of Napoléon have been assembled and restored over the years, the most notable being the restoration by Kevin Brownlow, which premiered in 1979. This restoration sought to recreate Gance's original vision as closely as possible, though it remains a fragmented work. Brownlow's restoration is typically shown at a very slow projection rate to compensate for Gance's rapid editing and to allow audiences to fully appreciate the visual complexity.

The film covers Napoleon's life from his childhood in Corsica through his time at military school, his involvement in the French Revolution, and his Italian campaign. Key moments include his struggles against Corsican separatists, his leadership during the siege of Toulon, and the development of his military genius.

Napoléon is significant not only for its historical subject matter but also for its experimental filmmaking style, which significantly influenced subsequent generations of filmmakers. Its innovative techniques and grand scale cemented its place as a pivotal work in the history of cinema.