Historical Drama: Day 7 (Supporting Cast, Napoleon)

Napoleon

Napoleon had many, many, many supporting players. Marshalls, Family Members, Wives... The challenge with him is going to be cutting the list down.

Marshals:

Marshal Nicolas Soult - Soult was probably the most capable of Napoleon's Marshals. He also had one of the most tense relationships with his Emperor. Soult did not like Napoleon having been a supporter of a rival regime. Napoleon, recognizing Soult's superior capabilities. Soult did betray the Bourbons to re-join Napoleon when he returned to France, but it is thought that he might have been fighting beneath his capabilities.

Marshal Joachim Murat - Murat would become noteworthy in the Egyptian campaign. However, where I have his promotion as just prior to the Battle of the Pyramids this is dramatic license. I'm actually combining two marshals into one. Marshall Ney's suicidal courage will be combined with Murat's extreme vanity. Murat would become a brother-in-law to Napoleon. He timed his actions in Napoleon's return poorly and this led to his eventually death by firing squad.

Marshal Emanuel Grouchy - Grouchy is deserving of some long over-due apologies. He has been blamed for allowing Blucher to get enough men to Waterloo to allow a British victory. Had Napoleon re-called Grouchy's force in the first place, that would not matter. Grouchy will not appear until the third movie as a CONSEQUENTIAL character but will be seen among Murat's men.

Marshal Michel Ney - As I mentioned Michel Ney will not be appearing in this film. As fun as he is, I have too many characters. Ney's character will be melded with Murat as they both die following the defeat at Waterloo I won't feel too guilty. He may, of course be mentioned from time to time as battles are listed.

Marshal Claude Victor - Victor is the final member of Napoleon's inner circle of commanders. He is the oldest I'll be including and he is also one of the most heroic. His "betrayal" of Napoleon by not re-joining after swearing alegience to the Bourbons will be an excellent dramatic scene for Napoleon as one of his pillars will be missing.

Family:

Joseph - Joseph is Napoleon's older brother and he is a bit of an idealist. He cautions Napoleon about acting against the royalist party but once Napoleon takes command, fully embraces the spirit of change and enlightenment. He is forced by Napoleon (Caroline) to give up the crown of Naples to Murat. In exchange Napoleon tries to win him the Spanish throne. This does not end well.

Jerome - Jerome is a bumbling familial relation that Napoleon is forced to put up with. He doesn't take anything seriously enough and repeatedly suffers the consequences. Jerome will take a sobering lesson at Waterloo for after many years go by he becomes a great leader in his own right. Jerome will learn that promotions handed are not the same as those that are earned.

Lucien - Lucien is Napoleon's younger brother who unlike the others spurned the advancement he was offered. He exiled himself in 1804, leaving for America. Prior to this he was one of the chief people who aided Napoleon in his coup. between movie 1 and movie 2 something catastrophic happens in their relationship and this will have dire consequences on Napoleon.

Caroline - Napoleon's youngest sister, Caroline will probably be given an unfair shake by me for dramatic reasons. Forcing her brother to give her husband titles etc... In real life, she was nothing so awful.