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From Amazon.co.uk
"A film that will never be equalled for its spectacle and dramatic power" says the stirring trailer on this otherwise sparsely featured DVD. Taking the story of the Napoleonic Wars to Bonaparte's final defeat, Waterloo is an unofficial continuation to director Sergei Bondarchuk's own 70mm super-epic War and Peace (1968). The climactic battle of Waterloo is shown in the second half of the film and re-enacted with such stunning realism by a cast of around 20,000 extras that it looks like documentary footage from history itself (some 20 years later, Gettysburg, 1993, did the same for the American Civil War). Those who hailed the groundbreaking impact of Saving Private Ryan should see Bondarchuk's films, as for sheer scale and intensity--if not bloodiness--they make Spielberg's hit look like an amateur video. Without ever attempting a French accent, Rod Steiger makes a commanding Napoleon, Christopher Plummer a worthy adversary as Wellington, while the supporting cast led by Orson Welles, Jack Hawkins and Virginia McKenna is excellent. The DVD transfer is richly detailed and clear, though the print itself could have done with just a little restoration. Though dated, Abel Glance's Napoleon (1928) remains definitive for many, perhaps explaining why Stanley Kubrick eventually abandoned his planned Napoleon film, instead making the 18th Century period epic Barry Lyndon (1974). --Gary S.Dalkin
Product Description
After his abdication Napoleon Bonaparte (Rod Steiger) is exiled to the island of Elba. However, he escapes to be reunited with his generals and troops, and mounts a last desperate bid for power at the what is now known as the Battle of Waterloo. He has, however, reckoned without the British forces led by Arthur Welsley, the Duke of Wellington, who had just returned from a successful campaign in Spain.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
62 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a truly astonishing film. I doubt it could even be attempted today. The number of uniformed extras is astonishing considering the cost of the uniforms involved, especially the beautiful French cavalry and infantry uniforms. The charge of the Scots Grays Cavalry is magnificently filmed, clearly inspired by a famous painting.
The battle is somewhat accurately depicted, insofar as the order of engagements, charges, and skirmishes. Toward the end, however, it becomes confusing, and has obviously been severely edited for time. Other reviewers have stated that the film was originally four hours long. This version is only a little over two hours. I would not have complained had it been a full hour longer, so long as that hour was devoted to accurately depicting the battle, and showing off some of the amazing uniforms, especially of the French cavalry. Frankly, the battle itself seems to have been somewhat shortchanged in this shorter version.
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of Rod Steiger's most overlooked underappreciated performances....
29 July 2008
Format:DVD
In the tradition of the cinematic epics like Kubrick's "Spartacus" and Mann's "Fall of the Roman Empire," Bondarchuk's "Waterloo" succeeds in depicting Napoleon's desperate and final bid for power and glory. Steiger, no stranger to roles that have consistently challenged his acting ability, is quite good as the deposed French emperor who narrowly lost his final battle. Orson Welles' appearance as Louis XVIII, is far too brief but most welcome, and Plummer as Lord Wellington is a casting director's dream. Dino de Laurentiis has produced some questionable if not laughable films in the past "King Kong" (1976) and "Flash Gordon" (1980); however, "Waterloo" must be seen as one of his better efforts.
Many critics here at Amazon will applaud the many and well-orchestrated battle scenes--a case-in-point are the great aerial shots of the British "squares" organized against Marshall Ney (Dan O' Herlihy) and the French cavalry--and one can easily understand the film's strong visual appeal, but this opus succeeds in other ways too.
The non-battle scenes, for instance, like the ball before the battle which introduces us to Napoleon's nemesis, Wellington, and the scenes of Napoleon dictating letters to his secretaries, are thoughtful touches that broaden the scope of this highly entertaining film and successfully depict an aristocratically genteel milieu shattered by the cataclysm that is nineteenth-century warfare. On the surface, an era characterized by the gentility of the landed gentry and sportsmanlike conduct on the battlefield, later destroyed by the real brutalities and devastation of war.... Read more ›
Many critics here at Amazon will applaud the many and well-orchestrated battle scenes--a case-in-point are the great aerial shots of the British "squares" organized against Marshall Ney (Dan O' Herlihy) and the French cavalry--and one can easily understand the film's strong visual appeal, but this opus succeeds in other ways too.
The non-battle scenes, for instance, like the ball before the battle which introduces us to Napoleon's nemesis, Wellington, and the scenes of Napoleon dictating letters to his secretaries, are thoughtful touches that broaden the scope of this highly entertaining film and successfully depict an aristocratically genteel milieu shattered by the cataclysm that is nineteenth-century warfare. On the surface, an era characterized by the gentility of the landed gentry and sportsmanlike conduct on the battlefield, later destroyed by the real brutalities and devastation of war.... Read more ›
52 of 56 people found the following review helpful
By TJP
Format:DVD
This film has probably the greatest battle scene ever shown, the detail and comparison to the original battlefield is excellent. The film however, in this form, suffers from poor cuts and editing. When will a release of the original 4 hour epic take place? this has over 2 hours dedicated to the battle. Still a great film withgreat performances, and a must for either the historical or war fan.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
Waterloo is a must for those who are into movies with a historical background. Waterloo is good entertainment but also a fantastic history lesson, perhaps incomplete - but then again, to compress Napoleon Bonaparte in one feature movie is expecting too much!
The movie presents a fairly good account of the immediate background to the battle and of the battle itself. As to the political context, one would have to do some supplementary reading.
The uniforms and battlefield manoevers of the period are magnificient and highly photogenic, and rendered even more so by the director's use of thousands of soviet soldiers as film extras. I just wish I could see this film again on the big screen (the first time was in the early seventies, upon its release!
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is amazing, the amount of effort, research, extras and the music score make one of the best War films ever. The budget for the production must have been huge as there are hundreds of people all dressed accuratly in Napoleonic Uniforms. Another great thing about this fim is the cast eg: Christopher Plummer, orson Wells and Rod Steiger!
Overall it is well worth the price you have to pay for it!
Overall it is well worth the price you have to pay for it!
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By Lain Iwakura
Format:DVD
I am not a war or history movie buff. However I saw half of this movie by chance over 10 years ago and since then Napoleon's drive has remained in my memories.
I decided to re-watch this movie before purchasing it recently as memory has a way of making things greater than they were. I am glad to say that from the opening scene to the end this movie is amazing, everything I remember and more.
I highly recommend it to anyone with a dream.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Sheggy
Format:VHS Tape
Needless to say this film tells the story and events of, and leading up to the battle of Waterloo in 1815. Much unlike most other films of this sort of genre, "Waterloo" shows the events of 1815 from both the French and British perspective, but suprisingly mostly from the french perspective. To make things even better for this film, the plot is very accurate to the actual events and creates an exciting and well developed build up to the main battle sequence.
Christopher Plummer makes an outstanding performance as Wellington, but without any doubt the finest performance comes from Rod Steiger as Napoleon. Steiger gives one of the finest performances that I have ever seen from any actor and creates a character that the audience can clearly relate to and suprisingly, grow to like. It simply cannot be said how brilliantly Steiger acted in this film.
For anybody who is interested in history or battles on a massive scale, this is the film for you. The only problem that I found with this film was the bad dubbing with some of the extras in the VHS version of the film. This however may have been cleaned up in the DVD but i dont really know.
Christopher Plummer makes an outstanding performance as Wellington, but without any doubt the finest performance comes from Rod Steiger as Napoleon. Steiger gives one of the finest performances that I have ever seen from any actor and creates a character that the audience can clearly relate to and suprisingly, grow to like. It simply cannot be said how brilliantly Steiger acted in this film.
For anybody who is interested in history or battles on a massive scale, this is the film for you. The only problem that I found with this film was the bad dubbing with some of the extras in the VHS version of the film. This however may have been cleaned up in the DVD but i dont really know.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Film!!
I've given 'Waterloo' 5 stars because it was well made, good choice of actors, filmed on a grand scale (plenty of extras etc. Read more
Published 6 hours ago by Eagle_87
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
One of my all time movies I could re-watch any time. Stunning acting, amazing action shots they could not make this film today!
Published 9 days ago by Phil Davies
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant historical :)
A good film pact with action (and shouting) highly recommended if your interested in history, some of the scenes with Napoleon get quite dramatic :)
Published 10 days ago by Jacob
5.0 out of 5 stars
A GREAT BATTLE
Considering this movie was made several years ago it tells the story of the Battle of Waterloo fairly acurately.
Well acted with some good battle scenes. Well worth a watch.
Well acted with some good battle scenes. Well worth a watch.
Published 15 days ago by John Butler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
One of my favourite war movies and obviously one of the most interesting eras of warfare!
This film really has a cast of excellent actors and beautiful screen play with the... Read more
This film really has a cast of excellent actors and beautiful screen play with the... Read more
Published 17 days ago by Ellis
4.0 out of 5 stars
A History Lesson
Although a little dated, this film still educates those who have little or no knowledge of this historic battle which changed the future of Europe.
Published 21 days ago by B. L. Potter
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Hollywood History"
Great cast, fantastic scenes and a real Hollywood style epic, long periods of inactivity interlaced with a less than authentic dialog, the film is saved by the fantastic costumes... Read more
Published 1 month ago by bob
5.0 out of 5 stars
The definitive version for me.
Hugely enjoyable, The build-up and action from both sides was excellently done, and Plummer and Steiger both totally convincing in their opposing roles. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Norman Clark
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb film
A successful attempt at portraying the whole of the battle in an epic scale using a massive number of extras. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. R. Andrews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Waterloo (DVD)
Very good film ,highly recommended. A very good action film portrayed magnificently by Rod Steiger, Christopher Plummer, Orson Wells and Jack Hawkins, with thousands of extras for... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Barry
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