Marlon Brando is surely one of the most prestigious actors ever to play Napoleon, which he does here in Désirée. It's a historical drama more concerned with romance than war.
Napoleon's far from the only historical figure to appear in the movie, given the plot involves time travel. It's an entertaining 1980s classic for a reason, with its creative use of real-life figures like Napoleon making it a good deal of fun.
The Ridley Scott directed venture with Joaquin Phoenix in the lead was expected to be a sure fire hit. However, it did not live up to the expectations and was panned by critics and audiences alike.
Napoleon's role in the story is fairly limited, but he's still a key part of The Count of Monte Cristo's opening scenes. He's depicted in exile and near the end of his life, interacting with the main characters after they come upon the island he's exiled on, seeking medical assistance.
The battle — and the way its aftermath was the beginning of the end for Napoleon — makes it ripe for film. Waterloo has good performances and an amazing battle sequence shown on an unbelievably large scale.
This epic goes for over five hours, covering much of Napoleon's early life and career. Gance was so ambitious that he originally intended this to be the first of six films about the historical figure, with the final one ending with Napoleon's death.
War and Peace is a must-watch, though those with a particular interest in Napoleon should brace themselves for his minimal screen time. Still, it's worth watching in any event.