Historical Drama: Day 9 (A Load of Paoli)

The Coriscan

The deeper I dig into any one area of this movie, the more avenues I discover worth exploring in detail. Yesterday it was Pasquale Paoli. Before reading more, I was considering making him a footnote, until I did some more research. Wouldn't you know that Paoli was an inspiration to Napoleon and was the first person to "betray" him.

Pasquale Paoli - Pasquale Paoli was perhaps the greatest man of Corsica. He gained Corsica's independence, from Genoa, in 1755. Paoli, a draftee of the Coriscan constitution, was elected president and for 14 years ruled Corsica as a modern and independent country. In the year of Napoleon's birth, Paoli was fighting a guerrilla war vs France (who had been sold Corsica by the Genovese government) though he would lose and be exiled. Paoli had become a hero of democracy but being exiled in London he also became, in secret, a friend of the British. After the revolution, Paoli returned to Corsica and was unanimously elected its president. Napoleon was an admirer and sent Paoli a history he had written. Napoleon did not realize that he was making an enemy of a man who had secret royalist leanings.

Paoli would become the military leader of France and see to it that the military expeditions he led would fail. When Napoleon discovered this, he took control of the Corsican forces abroad, but it was too late and he returned in defeat. Meanwhile, Pasquale had taken hold of the island nation and sworn allegiance to Britain. So, when Napoleon returned, he was forced to leave Corsica with the rest of his family. Moving to Toulon proved a boon to Napoleon, but this betrayal would embed in Napoleon's psyche a seed of doubt towards all of his allies. Napoleon's inability to trust some of his Marshals would prove disastrous as his relationships with three of his best: Soult, Davout and Victor would all be strained.

Historical Drama: Day 8 (Consulting an Expert)

So last night I had the opportunity to speak briefly to my Napoleonic historian. He is more of an expert in the military exploits of the man and the overall tactics of the day. When I get into depicting any of the battles, his help will be vital. However yesterday I wanted some advice on people.

Louis Davout - Davout was brought to my attention. He repeatedly proved Napoleon wrong and may have been his greatest rival within the military. It is suggested that Davout would have saved countless lives in Russia and perhaps turned the tide at Waterloo. He has been added to Napoleon's inner circle and will be closest to Soult. For all of Napoleon's harsh treatment of him, Marshal Davout seemed absolutely loyal to his general and emperor. It will be interesting also to compare the near-sighted and bald general to the vain Marshal Murat.

We also had a talk about good old Nosey. Arthur Wellesley did not have so many documented friendships as Napoleon. His older brother Richard was a friend and supporter. Richard is responsible for Wellington's rise through military power, but at the same time, Richard is hardly a military man. The next closest thing to a friend I could find was Lord Castlereagh who was a politician and diplomat. The last name I could find was Henry Paget who, before Waterloo, was more of a rival.

I will therefore need to pull from a list of his military commanders and fabricate relationships, both good and bad.

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.