Historical Drama: Day 5 (Sample #1)

This scene is the first we meet Napoleon and we see his harsh and ready treatment of opposition. This will eventually become a flaw as he will eventually send away those friends who he needs most. Cloutier is an invention for the sake of drama. He is an older general in the infant republic and he's seen as a bit of a relic of an older style of war. Napoleon is indeed better without him. We also meet Mamut who will get to show his bravery in coming scenes of the actual battle. The fact is that the Battle of the Pyramids illustrates that Napoleon could defeat any army that was not ready to adapt and revolutionize their forces and tactics.

EXT. Giza, Egypt (Sun Down) [1799]

NAPOLEON's army is bivouacked in the shadows of the great pyramids of Egypt. The army of 20,000 men is restless, knowing that a larger force of Mamluks is approaching. A man walks out on the dunes alone. He is dressed in a rich blue uniform with a feathered bicorn hat, NAPOLEON. Display: Giza, 1799. Meanwhile the camera sweeps away through the tents of his men. They are as fine a fighting force as any in Europe. A large contingent of infantry with support cavalry. The camera peers in on soldiers at rest. They talk, drink, jest, sing, dance and ready weapons. A single soldier kneels alone in his tent, praying. Finally the camera approaches NAPOLEON. An older man comes out from the tent and coughs for the young, NAPOLEON's attention.

CLOUTIER

My general.

NAPOLEON

Hmm?

CLOUTIER

My general, please... listen to me.

NAPOLEON

I believe I have, General. You fear the Mamluk cavalry?

CLOUTIER

They are legendary.

NAPOLEON

Then tell me, Do you fear the walls of Troy, The Legions of Rome, and King Arthur's Knights as well?

CLOUTIER

I-

NAPOLEON

Legend is myth, and myths are but fairy tales. I no more fear the cavalry of this primitive chieftain than I would a flock of geese.

CLOUTIER

You insult me!

NAPOLEON

You, my general, insult my army. I suffer no man to insult my army.

CLOUTIER

I am a Brigadier General in the French Army. I will not be treated as a mere... a mere paige boy.

NAPOLEON

You are General no more then. You are dismissed Cloutier.

CLOUTIER

You are not serious.

NAPOLEON

I am a jovial man, it is true, but I make no jest. You may assemble your things and retainers. You will leave our camp at once.

CLOUTIER

You can't do this!

MURAT drawn by the raised voices outside the tent approaches. With several other officers.

MURAT

My general, Is anything wrong.

NAPOLEON

On the contrary, everything is splendid. General Cloutier has asked me to grant him retirement from the army, and I have granted it. (Pause) Effective immediately. Gentlemen, see Mr. Cloutier to his tent. He will be leaving camp... tonight.

CLOUTIER

I-

NAPOLEON

Yes, you are welcome.

CLOUTIER is led away by the other officers. MURAT stays with NAPOLEON out on the dunes.

NAPOLEON

Colonel?

MURAT

Yes, my general?

NAPOLEON

What do you fear?

MURAT

I'm not sure I follow.

NAPOLEON

If you are to command men, I need to know what it is you fear.

MURAT

Sir. (Pause) I fear only one thing in this world.

NAPOLEON

Yes, colonel?

MURAT

That you might call me coward.

NAPOLEON

And so I never will... General Murat.

MURAT is aghast at his sudden brevetted promotion.

MURAT

Sir, I-

NAPOLEON

I know...

MURAT

Thank you, my general.

NAPOLEON

Tomorrow, we will see the new world sweep away the old world, as a modern army crushes an old. We shall be as the young man when he surpasses his father.

MURAT

What, when it is our turn to play the father?

NAPOLEON

Then we embrace our sons as we must embrace every change that comes to us.

MURAT

Yes, my general.