Historical Drama: Day 1 (The Birth of the Idea)

Who Is Napoleon Napoleon?

A while back I was watching "The Actor's Studio, With Daniel Radcliffe and the actor was asked at length about his interest in playing the diminutive dictator of Europe in the 1800s, Napoleon Bonaparte. Frankly, if he could pull the accent off, then sure... lets cast him and start sizing his epaulets. Regardless I thought that Napoleon's life might warrant a re-make. Now... let's briefly step back and look at some of the movies that have already been made.

Hubpages lists ten and gives a little detail on their favorite 5 "Waterloo", "The Emperors New Clothes", The TV Series, The two classics "Napoleon", and the writer's favorite "Monsieur N." What these movies do is great and they each show various aspects of the time period and the man in general (as general too). What these don't do (Waterloo sorta does but is too narrow) is dive into the relationship and the lives of the two greatest men of their era. Napoleon vs. Wellington.

Let us briefly look into, Nosey vs. Boney. The two men are born a few mere months apart. Both are born as outsiders to their countries, Wellington is Irish and Napoleon Corsican. They both receive abundant education and enter the military around the same time (1787, Napoleon & 1788, Wellington). They both achieve military glory and rise through the ranks of officers with impressive speed. However, Napoleon ascends with far greater speed (thanks to the aristocracy being over-thrown) Napoleon is promoted to General in the Summer of 1795, while Wellington, a clear slacker, is not a full general until the Spring of 1802. Napoleon is Emperor of France long before Nosey has had his first major military success. Yet it is to become Arthur Wellesley the 1st Duke of Wellington that will be the crippling thorn in the young Emperor's side.

That is getting well ahead of ourselves. What is the IDEA?

The Idea:

Napoleon vs. Wellington
Working Title:
N/W

I propose to split the action into three parts: Emperor and India, The Penninsular Campaign, and Waterloo. This DOES mean that it is a three-part movie, but... sue me, I have a lot to cover.

Emperor and India:

Thematic Statement - Equally brilliant minds do not always succeed equally well.

Log Line - N and W each show thier brilliance but where N cuts to the upper ranks like his Imperial Guard through the Polish Army, W is stalled by the corrupt and archaic British Military System.

The Penninsular Campaign:

Thematic Statement - The over-confident are destined for a fall.

Log Line - The perpetually maligned W, finally meets N head on and catches him un-aware.

Waterloo:

Thematic Statement - Even in a battle of equals there has to be a victor.

Log Line - N, returning like a triumphant phoenix risks it all in a climactic battle vs. W for the fate all of Europe.