Uf! He's died.
The Emperor?
Well, maybe now we can finally talk about him.
It's a considerable event. - No, it is not.
It's not an event, it's news.
But you just declared: "uf!".
Yes, the whole world declares "uf!" at this moment.
Mr. De Talleyrand will not let slip this opportunity
to give us his opinion on the Emperor?
I do not need to have an opinion about him, no.
Well, I must confess that I never liked Napoleon.
That does not have the importance you believe.
Besides, it is not the question. - Not the question?
No, Madame! It is not the question.
On the day of Napoleon's death, it doesn't matter if we liked him.
I have the right to... - No, Madame, you have no right!
If you want to say something witty, or even cruel,
concerning the Emperor, go ahead! It could even lead to blasphemy.
Wit is something sacred.
But to give us your opinion about one of the Greatest Men
in the World, no, Madame!
I even dispute the right to speak well of him, for it would be a waste of time.
The Emperor Napoleon does not need anybody, and nothing can reach him.
20 years of getting on my nerves...
"Your opinion on the Emperor?" Please!
If we had carried on, she would have ended up saying:
"I, instead, would have not done such a thing".
People are like that, they like to judge the great characters.
But individuals are only facts,
especially when we dare to speak of a man like him.
But the facts are not in dispute.
They are found, examined, recounted ...
If they are to be recounted, Prince, tell us the life of the Emperor.
It's too soon. And at the same time, it is already far away.
So, imagine as if a hundred years had passed.
As if it were an old story, or even a legend.
There was, a long time ago, a fabulous being who yet looked like a man,
who was born on an island, dreamed all his life of conquering an island,
retired to an island and, contrary to his will, died on an island.
He was born in Ajaccio, on the 15th of August, 1769.
A few months earlier, the king Louis XV ...
Choiseul! - Highness?
We must buy Corsica.
You have been saying this for a long time.
I would not like to delay it for another second.
Do you not think it might be more relevant to solve other urgent problems?
No.
What a reason he had! 45 days later, Napoleon would have been Italian.
Of his childhood, we know little.
He entered the military school of Brienne at ten years old,
the 23rd of April 1779.
Only one of those children dared to reach out to him and hold out his hand.
Who was it? - It was...
Mr. de Bourrienne! - It was Mr. De Bourrienne.
Come in, Bourrienne!
We were talking about you.
About me? - Yes, you've arrived at the right moment.
I introduce you to Mr. De Bourrienne, who was companion,
then friend, and finally, Secretary to the Emperor.
You already know my friends, the lords of Blanc-Mesnil.
Sit down and tell us: how was Napoleon when he arrived at Brienne?
Same as when he left: taciturn, lonely and often rebellious.
Excuse me. From his school days, we must retain a fact,
a miraculous fact.
It concerns his class notebook, the last one he held in his hands,
and to which he did not return to write anything later,
on which he wrote down what seemed to him of geographical or historical interest.
On that class notebook,
he scribbled four words which today make the head swim.
They were: "St Helena, small island". He was ten years old.
Mere coincidence? No. Then what?
I have no idea.
But for me that can explain many things and...
most of all, the inexplicable. Take the floor, Bourrienne.
On leaving Military School, he was 16 years old.
He was already Second Lieutenant. But he did not like being second.
Bonaparte?
Two months later, he was named Lieutenant.
But he was still not satisfied. Therefore, he requested a permit
and returned to Corsica.
To Corsica, where he hadn't set foot for six years!
There he met three boys. And two little girls.
They were Louis, Lucien, Jeróme, Pauline and Caroline Bonaparte.
Caroline would be Murat's wife. Jerome, king of Westphalia.
Lucien, Prince of Canino. And Louis, King of Holland.
And Pauline? Pauline Borghese, the most beautiful on the face of the Earth,
who would one day be sculpted naked by Canova himself.
There were not enough arms to embrace them all.
And there he was, playing with his brothers and sisters,
climbing on his back.
Who could have known then
he would carry them for a lifetime?
After joining his regiment in Auxonne, he swore loyalty to the king.
But just months later, we found him back in Ajaccio,
handing out cockades with the tricolor flag.
Already a captain, on the 6th of February of 1792 in Paris,
we attended the assault of the Palace of the Tuileries.
We were present when Louis XVI was forced to wear the Phrygian cap
and were shocked.
Deeply terrified of what he had seen, he returned to Corsica.
There he learned that Louis XVI had been beheaded on 21 January,
and he was not surprised.
But a few months later, there was more alarming news.
Toulon fell to the English on the 28th of August, 1793.
His brother Joseph pleaded for his help.
A week later, he landed in Toulon, where his brother awaited him.
Joseph had so many things to tell!
But his involvement with a young woman of Marseilles was in the background.
The important thing was Toulon, abandoned in enemy hands.
And thanks to his brother, Napoleon was called for consultations.
Not at all! We are not going to consult him only because he is a Corsican!
The information from Paris describes him as
an artilleryman of enormous value!
Battalion chief Bonaparte. - Salicetti, your compatriot.
Robespierre the young. - Gasparin, representative of the people.
General Carteaux. - General Dugommier.
You must know of the difficult situation we are in.
We received from Paris instructions for you.
Do you have any idea, or any opinion, as a gunner?
I have a plan. - Already?
Before any other consideration, I think it necessary
to put batteries on the top of La Garenne.
What a unique idea! - I do not think it's a bad one.
The goal is to rain a strong fire on Forts Mulgrave and L'Eiguillette.
The young man is in a hurry.
It seems to me that there is no time to lose.
I'll need 100 guns in 6 weeks. Oh, and absolute freedom!
Afraid! Fear of dying!
I just ask that I'm allowed to do my work!
Have you fought before? - Not yet.
But I know there is no possible victory without a single commander.
We will give you the command.
You'll have your guns. - And you already have our trust.
Robespierre is showing tomorrow what he is made of.
Young man, I invite you to dinner tonight. It will be a meeting of minds.
How quickly you have got the cannons firing!
Where is this Bonaparte?
The Little General? Ah, up there!
Such determination and precision made the miracle possible.
On the one hand, there was the selfishness of a man who did not want
to risk his position, and on the other hand,
those who began to understand.
It was a struggle between youth and antiquity without experience,
between vanity and pride, between routine and genius.
I name you Brigadier General on a provisional basis,
and soon after, on a permanent basis.
What happened? - We're taking prisoners.
You are happy? - Like I was just born! Goodbye, Englishmen!
Long live Bonaparte!
But his joy was short-lived.
The fall and execution of Robespierre left him in a delicate situation.
And so, on July 5, 1794...
General Bonaparte?
The execution of Robespierre has consequences that I deplore.
But we have received orders from Paris.
All those who committed themselves to Robespierre are to be
suspended from their duties and imprisoned.
For this reason, Napoleon Bonaparte, I am forced to arrest you.
When you hear this tune, get ready to go.
I'll find a way to free you. - Do not do anything, I order it!
I can endure this injustice. Do not compromise me!
14 days later, he was released.
And Joseph took advantage of the fact that his brother was released from prison
to lose their freedom.
By then, I was living close to Marseilles with a well-off family,
made up of the mother and her two daughters.
One of them, Julia, became the wife of Joseph.
Invited by his brother and after being greeted by the three ladies
in a wonderful way, Bonaparte fell madly in love
with the little sister, Desirée Clary, with a fabulous destination.
After a few days, under the light of the moon,
he declared his love, in his gentle manner.
Are you a virgin?
Yes.
Yesterday, you asked if I was a virgin. - Yes...
I have the feeling that I am a little less so today.
Are you not discouraged that I will not be here with you?
No! On the contrary! We are living at a critical moment.
It would be a shame if we had to lose one thing or the other.
I must leave tomorrow.
But I will not leave before I swear to you my eternal love.
I also swear that I will love you, eternally.
This oath of love had unforeseeable consequences.
Desiree would end up in the arms of Bemadotte,
becoming Queen of Sweden.
Napoleon returned to Paris to thank Barras for his release.
There, in his little room, in the "Hotel of the Dutch Patriots"...
Come in!
General Bonaparte? - I am.
This is the third time I introduce myself here since Wednesday.
I was asked to hand over this letter.
Barras was inviting him to be present at his residence.
But that night, Barras was giving one of his famous parties...
Barras loves tricks. - Which will appear or disappear?
Can you be quiet for a moment? And let the orchestra stop playing!
I want everyone to applaud and acclaim the winner of Toulon,
to this general of 26 years. It is none other than General Bonaparte.
How should I pronounce the name? - Bonaparte.
He must be important to have two names.
Don't you recognize your brother Lucien? - Give me an embrace.
Mme. Tallien wishes to meet you. - I want to express my admiration.
Mme. Hamelin also wishes to congratulate you. - You have to get him a haircut.
Any news of Desiree? - No. I have none of my wife, either.
Your wife is your wife.
But Desiree and I swear to each other that we love forever.
Some people believe in oaths.
Who is she?
Josephine de Beauhamais, one of the occasional lovers of Barras.
Introduce me.
My brother, the general Napoleon Bonaparte.
Where is he? - Speaking with Mme. De Beauharnais.
You may have to butt in. - He has the right to go from victory to victory.
You have nothing to say to me?
I'll leave you.
Can I borrow him? - Yes, but ... bring him back to me.
I promise you.
He looks like "Puss in Boots".
I think he heard me. - You just earned an enemy.
Or maybe a new conquest.
Palace parties are not parties until I sing!
That we have to see!
Report to Mr. Fouché and to General Dutheil that
General Bonaparte and I are waiting for them in this room.
Do you know that everything is not going well? - I'm starting to realize.
Can you see what the consequence is?
When we ask the orchestra to play louder,
it's like we want cover their ears.
We are, perhaps, at the end of a world.
We cannot accept as normal that women of high class
wear dresses so tight at the waist.
You see, my friend,
I'm going to need you.
Yes...
The pleasure of love
only lasts a moment.
The pain of love
lasts a lifetime.
Here is our man.
He seems young. - No, he is young.
In Toulon, he already proved his value.
Has he accepted? - No, he's hesitating.
I gave up everything
for the ungrateful Silvia.
She abandoned me
and went off with another lover.
The pleasure of love
lasts only a moment.
The pain of love
lasts a lifetime.
You'll have a hundred thousand men. - And as many guns as you need,
to disperse to 18,000 or 20,000 insurgents.
If it's only to disperse them ...
We are all running the same risk.
They are all royalists? - They are all kinds.
It's a shame. - Why?
Because I preferred to imagine that they were all brave men.
Have I told you that you have been promoted to General in Chief of the Army of Italy?
No, not yet. And thank you.
Could I have Murat? - Whatever you want.
I talked to Sieyès. And he has been categorical.
The strict enforcement of laws against royalism is required
by the Convention.
The insurgents pretend to take refuge in certain churches
and he thinks that, to attack them, Saint-Roch would be the most appropriate place.
Sieyès should be heeded.
So? - Count on me.
I don't like this Barras. He's as dangerous as Robespierre.
Yes, one was the "incorruptible". - Barras is more the "corruptor".
Allow me to retire. - If you wish.
I feel out of place. - I have the opposite impression.
This Tayllerand, is he important? - Very much so.
He is a man who requires perfume, even in manure.
Until tomorrow. - Until tomorrow.
I'll just say goodbye to you.
You seem to have startled everyone.
I want you to be the only one that can see how I look at you.
Good night.
You're going? - Yes, I'm going.
And I promise that if by tomorrow I have no news of Desirée,
I will consider the promise that we made broken.
My friends, great news! The sun has risen!
Is Madame expecting the general? - Absolutely.
Who should I announce? - "Puss in Boots".
Very well, my general.
Why "Puss in Boots"? - You said so yourself.
No, it was a joke. That name no longer seems appropriate, today.
Which name would be most appropriate?
Don't you dare? You are afraid of me?
Yes, a little. - Tell me, all the same.
Can I? - I insist.
"General slaughter".
I'll get revenge on you. - I'm sure.
Looking for more answers? - No, I've already found them.
Born in Martinique? - Yes.
And called De la Pagerie? - So it was.
Married at 16 to General De Beauharnais,
guillotined during the Terror, with whom you had two children.
Do you love them? - I adore them.
Do you know that since yesterday, after the uprising,
or the slaughter, if you prefer,
that Parisians are ordered
to surrender their weapons? - They have told me.
Is your son here? - Yes.
Could I ask you to summon him? - Of course.
Eugène! - Do not be nervous.
Coming soon! - Thank you, Blanche.
She's nice, your black maid.
I have loved her since it was predicted I would be Queen of France.
No reason to doubt it.
General Bonaparte wants to tell you something.
Eugène de Beauhamais, I return to your hands the sword of your father.
Oh, thank you!
Thank you.
If I told you what happened yesterday in Saint-Roch, I did only
to be able to bring him that sword, would you believe me?
-No. - And you would be right.
And if I told you that it is partly because of you that
I refuse to marry? - No.
In that, you would be wrong.
I do not want a smile of compassion when you see me.
I'd rather cause fear. One more question, the last.
How old are you? Yes, I want to marry you.
I am 32. - And I am 26.
At City Hall, you will have six less and I will have three more.
Then we can be together.
My God, you do not know how much I love you!
I love you!
And on March 9, they got married in just five minutes.
They declared to be those same ages and he claimed to have been born in Paris,
something which still has no explanation.
48 hours later, after leaving his wife and France,
he marched towards the glory which awaited him at Pont D'Arcolle.
On the return from Italy, I wanted to be the first to receive him,
and I assure you that the reception was worthy of his victory.
Bring me a piece of cake, please.
I had gathered, right out there, all who embodied the
intelligence and beauty of Paris of that time.
At one point, I asked him to enter this room.
I wanted to discuss matters of some importance
and preferred that we were alone.
And it was in that corner, where he waited and where we met.
Twenty victories now stand on these shoulders.
In your gaze, I perceive a certain exhaustion.
I look at him with emotion, knowing he had managed to seduce France,
before even ruling it. Sit down please.
Tell me, what are your immediate projects?
I'm all ears.
You've done a great job.
The current position is more important than you think.
Unfortunately, it was inevitable that we have garnered enemies.
We are not ready to face them.
No, the fruit is not ripe, instead it is already rotten.
A worm is eating France.
That worm is neither Barras nor Sieyès. It's fear.
Come back in a year.
And give me your trust, because as you see, I give you mine.
Do not betray me.
Do you want to adopt the same commitment to me?
Well then, I promise never to betray you,
without giving you a day's notice.
What should I do?
Leave Europe.
I already have it, why not start in Egypt?
There are probably no Englishmen there. And since you hate England ...
That is not so.
I would feel afflicted if some good day
England no longer existed. - It's something you said "a good day".
Murat, what did you just say in Kleber's ear?
The same thing Berthier told me. - I'd like to know what you said.
He was talking to me about a gesture of Junot's.
Gentlemen, I find incredible this lack of courage.
What gesture has Junot made? What did Berthier say to Murat?
What did Murat say to Kleber?
That you have cheated, my general.
Do you think I'm the only one not to realize?
How important is it if in the end I'm going to
return everything I have won?
May I ask why you cheat? - Because I've always hated chance.
Great work, Murat!
Murat! How brilliant!
I would do anything for that man.
In fact, that's what I should do.
Tell Murat to come. Thank you.
Do you get news from back home? - Yes sometimes.
I envy you. Any news from Mme. Bonaparte?
I have been told some things, although they aren't of interest.
General Murat!
The great winner of the day! Let me embrace you.
The battle has been hard. But the reward merits it.
There is no one to match your bravery. You have given us immense service.
No, none of that. You are the real genius.
You're not going to tell him the gossip about his wife?
Why? - What do you mean "why"?
Did you not do the same with Mme. Fourès?
The one who dresses as a man? His Cleopatra, as he calls her.
Yes, but that's different.
Your children will be proud to be called Murat.
What do you want? Ask me anything.
Oh, do not say that to me, for God's sake. - Ask me for anything you want.
Well, I'd like to get married. - With Madame Bastite?
No no. That story already belongs to the past.
No, it's another woman, that I love.
And you want me to ask for your hand?
No. I want you to grant it. - Grant it, me?
It's Mademoiselle Caroline. - What? My sister?
Yes, I'm in love with her. - But, my friend, she's 16 years old.
I do not think that this is an obstacle.
Caroline... Mrs. Murat...
He said that my children will feel proud to be called Murat.
No, no. Do not say "no" tonight.
I did not say no. - Then could you say yes?
Yes, I could.
Thank you.
An envoy of Sheikh El-Bekri brings a gift. And requests permission to enter.
Tell him to come in.
Should we stay?
Speak in French.
Great General in Chief of the French Army of the East.
You have liberated our country from the yoke that oppressed us.
All Muslims will venerate his memory.
As testimony of his gratitude, our master offers you
the most precious thing that exists on Earth...
that is, a loyal man. Here he is.
What is your name? - Rustan.
Rise, Rustan.
And stay by my side.
Junot!
Tell me, Junot. I can not stop thinking about it.
In the letters you receive from Paris, what do they say about my wife?
I find it very embarrassing.
The issue can be summarized as follows:
Do you want to tell me the truth or not? - How wrong you are!
I have heard a rumour, and want to know it's true.
Speak!
I have been told that she cheats openly.
I thought it was my duty to inform you.
I cannot bear it that so great a man be made to look ridiculous.
Bourrienne!
If all Paris speaks of it, you should know.
Do they mention a name? - Only one, that's why I think it's serious.
Barras again? - No, Barras is finished.
Then who? - Hyppolite Charles.
That little blond of the Army of Italy?
But it's impossible! - He lives in Malmaison.
I'm very unhappy, Bourrienne.
If you had understood, you would have informed me of what Junot says.
He's a true friend. - Allow me to disagree.
Thousands of miles from Paris, it did not seem urgent to me.
I do not need you to make decisions which concern me alone.
I divorce today, with you as witnesses.
And I break with our friendship.
With you, for informing me...
and with you, for not having informed me.
On 22 August he embarked, leaving Egypt to Mme. Fourès and his army,
arriving at Saint-Raphael on the 9th of October.
And once there, you can already imagine the reception.
These people did not talk to him of the campaign in Egypt
nor ask him to go to fight against Italy.
No, what seemed to them most urgent
was to overthrow the Directory and save France.
In short, Bonaparte precipitated his return to find if his wife
had been cheating and discovered that it was France that was unfaithful.
Where are we heading, Fouche? - Oh, dear Barras, towards catastrophe.
To avoid it, what do we need?
As you said to Sieyes, a sabre. I don't know where we'll find one.
Mother! - Oh my son, my love!
My wife is not here?
She was to meet you, but she must have taken the wrong route.
A pleasant surprise awaits you, come.
Here is our hero!
I have to talk to you. - Wait, wait.
Why has Josephine gone?
The news of your arrival is spereading rapidly through Paris
and she had heard about it.
She obviously wanted to be the first to greet you.
You are right to ignore the slander she has undergone
during your absence.
She is the most envied woman in France. - Not that it is merely envy.
Her natural lightness, her recklessness, even her past...
And age. Plus she has acquired debts.
All that is a reproach. - Perhaps of you too.
All France thinks you could have chosen better.
Not that a Bonaparte would admit
that he has made a mistake.
It is unacceptable that they are ridiculing a national hero!
The worst thing is that you accept it.
Who says I accept it? I accept nothing!
I'm not any more naive than the others!
But what I do not like is your bitterness towards her!
You've never liked her, ever!
It would have been better if you had appreciated her from the beginning.
I want my family to be united!
Good night.
Napoleon!
Can I speak to you? - Of course.
Do you know what will happen when they know that you have returned?
No.
I can tell you. We are going to obtain carte blanche!
We will be the owners of the situation.
Who? - You and I!
What position do you occupy? - One of deputy.
And tomorrow, I will be president of Council.
At 24? - Yes, but Joseph is 31.
I used your birth certificate to fix my papers.
Like you did.
Listen to what I'm going to say.
In principle, and for the moment, you only have to see one man: Sieyès.
I'm not seeing Sieyes unless it is in the presence of Talleyrand.
You trust me? - Not yet.
Well... - Bourrienne!
Where is he?
Blanche!
Collect the belongings of Madame:
dresses, coats, footwear, jewelry and underwear.
Put it all in a suitcase,
and give it to the guard, with the order that
do not let Mme. Bonaparte in, if she appears.
There is no more to say, that's an order.
I'd rather rip out my heart than see her.
Am I right? - No.
No? - No.
It's her? - Yes.
Will you not advise me to forgive her? - I would not advise it.
But the fact that I am losing a single minute to solve
marital problems is incomprehensible to me.
I beg you to let me in for a moment and you will understand everything.
I'm begging you! Open up!
No reply.
Open the door, my love!
What willpower! - Yes, it's horrible.
I will tell you which is the best way to get a divorce.
How much is the debt you have incurred?
Answer!
Maybe a million.
Mr. de Bourrienne!
Good morning, Bourrienne. - My greetings, my ...
Yes, Bourrienne, it is so.
Good morning, Mr. Bourrienne. - Good morning, Madame.
Something new?
In Paris, all the talk is of your return. The people expect a revolution.
We mustn't disappoint them.
But we must not overestimate the role of the people.
In addition to accepting the fait accompli,
their role to acclaim.
Rustan! Bring my slippers and my gown! - Yes, my general.
My intention is not to leave the house.
Do not accept any invitation, nothing.
Also no theatrical representations, until I give a new order.
Everyone knows he's back.
Well, come here.
I want to make it clear that I will not take a single step towards them.
Just some tea.
I know what I want. They do not know what I want.
And how do you know this? - Because I know them.
My tactic is this:
force them to impose what I have already decided to do.
But you are not going to see him? - No.
Isn't it your duty to go and see him? - Yes.
No, I do not have to go.
If he wants to consult me, he can take the trouble to come here.
I will not take the risk of suffering a snub.
Barras, couldn't you make things easier?
I'd rather resign than go to his house. - The idea does not look so bad.
Have you gone to visit, Fouche?
Do you think Talleyrand will bother? Of course not!
Mr. De Talleyrand and Mr. Sieyès request to see the general.
Get them into the living room. Do you see how I was right? The parade begins.
Thank you. See you later, darling.
The adventure in Egypt served its purpose.
At last I can convey to you, my general, my most sincere and profound admiration.
He covered himself with glory both in Italy and in Egypt.
Through my voice, all France expresses its deep gratitude.
Coming from you, as President of the Directory,
this touches my heart.
Okay, let's move on to serious matters. Let's sit.
The Directory is almost dead. And to leave nothing to chance,
we must act now.
You will have already realised the overexcited state of the public.
On the way to Paris I noticed, but cheers are not the same as votes.
No, but they justify certain initiatives.
I cannot hide from you that for a long time, I've been looking for a "right hand".
Mr. Gohier and Roger Ducos, my general.
Minds of their own. - Apparently.
Their opposition would not make sense, in any case.
Let them in on it. - Yes, slowly.
Gentlemen, there is no time to lose.
Of course, we must put the fate of the Republic in Bonaparte's hands.
That's what we were talking about.
We must prepare ourselves for the great day,
and fix, at this same moment, a date.
General, what do you think of the day after tomorrow?
The 9th of November? - 18 Brumaire.
I would advise that, under article 102, decree the transfer
of the legislative chamber to Saint-Cloud.
And the proclamation of General Bonaparte as Commander-in-Chief
of the Paris Division. - And the National Guard.
Mr. Fouché requests to be received by the general.
Let him enter! - I was going to say...
Excuse me.
I have decided to open all the doors, including yours.
I just spoke to Barras. One sentence is worthy of record...
Let's hear it.
"I'd rather resign than go to his house".
He feels sick, exhausted, without popularity.
In short, ready to leave.
What do you think, Mr. De Talleyrand? - I doubt he thinks otherwise.
Yes of course. It will be a pleasure.
Fouché! - Mr. Sieyès?
Do you have a million? - For whom?
For Barras. He will not want to take payment from me.
You will not have to pay for his resignation.
Those in there do not count. Barras does count.
We must understand that he counts enormously.
Only two obstacles remain: Barras and Bernadotte.
General Bernadotte is waiting.
Why don't you talk to him here? - Show him in.
Never lose sight that there is a woman between that man and you,
which is not excessively serious, but important.
I'm bothering you? - No, but I'm waiting for Bernadotte.
You'd prefer me to leave? - Yes, please.
So, he has come.
I was wondering precisely when I was to receive your visit.
You had not deigned to come and greet me,
despite serving under my orders in Italy,
and dressed in civilian clothes! What is the meaning of these clothes?
Do you know the state of overexcitement in the town?
You cannot be unaware that these are serious events.
They will be serious for their instigators.
I still trust in the health of the Republic.
And leading the troops, know I will contain its enemies,
external and internal.
To whom do those words refer? - They do not exclude anyone.
Tell General Bernadotte to withdraw.
Forgive me. - You heard?
Yes, I thought ... - You did well.
That man declared himself a Republican. - And he isn't?
Him? Absolutely!
Your eyes are so beautiful!
Come in.
I had invited 30 people to eat, and no one has come.
No need for me to explain what this means to you.
This is your situation, Barras.
And your attitude must be clearly dictated by the absence of Sieyés,
of Roger Ducos, of Bernadotte, of Mulan, of Gohier.
Resign, Barras. - No...
Bring more champagne. - Yes, very appropriate.
This is the response of the Directory.
Present arms!
Soldiers! The counsel of the ancients gives me command
of the city and the army!
You expected my return put an end to our woes!
I will fulfill the obligations your trust imposes on me!
Freedom, victory and peace shall return to the French Republic,
as will the place she occupied in Europe, and that only treachery and inertia
have endangered!
General Lefebvre!
Are you on my side or do you plan to return to the Directory?
Have no cause to doubt me now.
To Saint-Cloud!
And now, listen carefully, if you want to understand something
of what occurred on 18 Brumaire and in the days thereafter.
Citizens, do not force me to adjourn the session!
I will reject any discussion about the appointment of General Bonaparte
as leader of the Army of the Interior!
I ask you to consider it a fait accompli!
Gentlemen, the Directory has ceased to exist.
These are the terms of the letter of resignation from citizen Barras...
Citizen President: After participating in public affairs
only because of my passion for Liberty,
I agreed to share the first magistrature ...
What's happening?
The resignation of Barras has been badly received by the parliamentarians.
You are violating the law!
What have you done with the shining France that I left you?
I left a country in peace and I've found it at war!
We cannot go on like this! Let me talk!
For three years, we have been ruled by despotism.
But we want the Republic.
The Republic based on the principles of equality,
of morality, of public liberty, of political tolerance!
General! We applaud what you say!
But swear obedience to the Constitution of the country,
the only one that can maintain the Republic!
The Constitution?
You violated it on 18 Fructidor!
You violated it on 22 Floreal! You violated it on 30 Prairial!
I'm starting to think this is going to end in a bloodbath.
No, there he is, safe and sound.
He has ordered that his brother be let out.
It is lamentable! I am asked to abandon the law by my brother.
The saviour of the motherland!
I renounce the insignia of the popular magistrature!
And I present myself as a defender of the one who I am ordered to damn!
We are present at a race against time,
between two brothers... - I feel some jealousy.
Exactly.
It will have to play itself out. I'll go. Goodbye.
General! And you, soldiers!
The President of the Council requires you to use force!
And as for me, I swear that I will kill my own brother,
if he ever endangers the liberty of the French.
Murat!
Proceed!
Follow me!
Get this rabble out of here!
Lefebvre!
Catch a few of them.
Here he comes.
It has not been easy. - Calm yourself...
No words can express the admiration and emotion
that we feel in the face of this accomplishment.
In 5 minutes, he had improvised a kind of Parliament,
it was both pleasing and comical. - There is no time to lose.
Your brother's work has been admirable.
Not to mention Murat ... - Oh, he is without equal.
He has hunted them like Mamelukes.
Murat, do you remember that night when we talked about your loves?
You mentioned only one name, that of Caroline.
And you did not answer.
Rather, I did not say "no". Giving her a husband is important. - Indeed.
This afternoon I say yes. - Really?
Yes, really.
Will you allow me ... - Of course.
We will form a Consulate. That will arouse less suspicion.
Lucien Bonaparte, come and embrace your brother.
No need ... - Yes, yes, yes...
Get in there! We've only caught thirty.
It's more than enough!
Is she in a convent?
Bonaparte brought her here to learn to read and write.
He said yes! - Oh, how I love you!
Me too, I love you!
And it was under these conditions we opened the session.
You were there, do I lie? - Not at all.
First article: the Directory is abolished.
Article 2: the Constituent Assembly ceases to exist,
but the Constitution remains in force.
We must take him tonight to the premiere of the new opera.
He told me he did not want to go out. - Yes, but now everything has changed.
Article 3: a Consulate is created, formed by 3 members:
The Abbot Sieyès. - The citizen Roger Ducos.
And General Bonaparte.
The three consuls will occupy the presidency in rotation.
In alphabetical order.
Frenchmen,
Lend us your oath of allegiance
to the united and indivisible Republic,
founded on liberty, equality...
What? - Nothing.
Frenchmen...
Victory, singing,
the way ahead is clear.
Liberty guides our steps.
Tyrants, descend to your tombs.
The Republic is calling us.
We must triumph or die.
Frenchmen must live for her.
And for her, be willing to die.
Frenchmen must live for her.
And for her, be willing to die.
He soon returned to Italy, where he gained the decisive victory of Marengo
thanks to the control of his Army, which that day he baptized with a name
that would survive the passage of time: "La grande armée".
Upon his return, he made a decision that served historically in his interest.
Go ahead, don't be nervous.
One moment! Constante! Tell Mr. De Bourrienne to come!
Read my mail, Bourrienne, please.
I think the nature of this letter will surprise you, my General.
It is sent by King Louis XVIII, or to be more precise, the Count of Provence,
exiled in Westphalia. - Go ahead, read it.
"Whatever their behavior, men such as you never inspire discontent.
You know better than anyone the need for strength
to achieve the happiness of a great nation.
By saving France, you have fulfilled the first desire of my heart.
If you return it to its King, future generations will venerate your memory.
General, Europe is watching, Glory awaits and I am impatient
to bring peace back to my people. Louis XVIII. "
Incredible, indeed.
Write, because I can not leave that letter without answer:
I have received your letter, Monsieur.
I appreciate your sincere words.
But you should not wish a return to France.
You would need to march over 500,000 corpses.
Sacrifice, therefore, your interests
for the repose and the happiness of France ".
Three more little snips,
a final touch with the comb, and a new man appeared.
Overnight, there was a total transformation.
His behaviour was extraordinary from that day forward.
He went through a long period of silence and,
as no one dared to ask what he thought,
there were no issues of any confidentiality.
But what nobody understood, not even Josephine,
was that by wearing the uniform of colonel, and then general,
and in addition, first Consul, he never had to give an explanation.
For 4 years, his attitudes were a mystery to all,
except Fouche and I, of that let there be no doubt.
He worked between 15 and 18 hours each day.
No, nobody may enter!
Endowed with a fabulous intelligence, he understood and guessed everything.
One day he uttered these words, which describe it in a surprising way:
I command
or I am silent.
You have to be sure that they are going to obey you when you say something.
He devoted himself to necessary work, reforming the Civil Code,
and useful work, creating the Legion of Honour.
I know these distinctions are baubles.
But with baubles men are governed,
civilian or military.
And it became indispensable, endowing to France an invincible army.
At last the great day came and produced the expected event.
With five minutes remaining, let's use them. Write:
To His Majesty the Tsar, Emperor of Russia:
Highness... as your Majesty is aware...
The Senate delegation.
One moment. My sword.
First Consul, these are the terms of the decision
taken by the Senate.
Article 1: The government of the Republic is entrusted to an Emperor,
with the title of "Emperor of the French".
Article 2: Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Republic,
is the Emperor of the French.
Article 3: Imperial dignity Is hereditary,
by direct, natural and legitimate descent of Napoleon Bonaparte,
from male to male, by order of primogeniture,
and with perpetual exclusion of the females and their descendants.
Article 4: Napoleon Bonaparte can adopt the children and grandchildren
of his brothers Joseph and Louis Bonaparte.
Adoption is prohibited to the successors of Napoleon
and their descendents.
With profound emotion, I leave the act in the hands of His Majesty,
proclaiming him at this very moment, for the glory and happiness of the Republic:
Napoleon, Emperor of the French.
All that contributes to the good of the country
is now bound up in my happiness.
I accept the title because I consider it useful for the glory of the nation.
And I submit to the sanction of the people the terms of the statement
that you have just submitted.
Who voted against?
Only one person, Your Highness: Lazard Carneau.
A distinguished exception.
Highness, Brienne...
I was thinking.
Return to the letter to the Tsar. How did it go?
As Your Majesty will be aware..."
No, start again.
Write: "My real brother, I inform you..."
And so that none of us, before such an event,
should happen to express our surprise,
he decided to shower us with honours and pompous titles.
After restoring the dignity of the title of Marshal of France
he named 18 on the same day: Augereau, Massena, Kellermann,
Lefebvre, Ney, Murat, Bemadotte, Lannes, Berthier, Davout...
But Prince ... - My friend?
Will you not say anything about the execution of the Duke of Enghien?
It was a crime, wasn't it? - Worse than a crime, Madame.
It was a mistake. But the Emperor, he hardly cared.
He was preparing a masterstroke...
Inviting the Pope to Paris to crown him Emperor.
And that invitation was a little like an ancient commandment.
Each of us prepared in his shadow.
Fouche always believed that a tie solved everything.
We were forced to wear lavish costumes to suit the Emperor,
and that's not even to mention his own.
My wife is what she is, my friend.
I do not let anyone make the slightest remark.
She was a washerwoman and is not ashamed. And neither am I ashamed.
She keeps the dresses in a closet which she has had for 20 years.
The first is a uniform because she was the washerwoman of our company.
All others are modest.
And the last one is very nice.
Madame Marshal Lefebvre!
If she is being introduced, it's because she's put it on.
What do you think of my dress? - Splendid.
Isn't it, Mr. Rémusat? - Madame Lefebvre.
Mr. Rémusat, I would like talk to the Marshal alone.
That has an easy solution. I'm leaving.
I appreciate it.
I wanted to talk with you.
While trying on my dress, I've been looking in the mirror.
And I've thought of many things.
I remembered that in the past I was a washerwoman and one of the multitude.
And I said to myself: "Were you a washerwoman? It's incredible!"
"Because you look like a lady! For a single reason!"
"You have distinction! You have manners!"
Nothing more than that. Why are you laughing? I'm not right?
Yes, yes.
Do you want me to help with your clothes?
I can give you advice so that you look like a real gentleman.
No, thank you.
And you need to know what they call you.
What? The wife of Marshal Lefebvre? - No.
Madame Lefebvre? - No.
What then? - "Madame Sans-Gene".
Why? Am I supposed to be impressed?
No, I just thought you should be warned.
You told me for my sake. - Of course.
The other night, at the home of Roger Ducos, an old nobleman, you know the type,
of the nobility of yesteryear, spoke to me of his ancestors insistently.
"My ancestors here, My ancestors over there ... "
When you see him again, say: "You may have illustrious ancestors.
But Lefebvre already has by his own efforts an illustrious past."
And I'll add:
"To have illustrious ancestors you have to start somewhere ... "
No one was informed of the exceptional event that
took place on 25th November.
At FontaineBleau, the Emperor wanted to go out hunting at noon.
At La Croix de Saint-Herem, a carriage suddenly appeared.
They had agreed that the meeting should take place right there.
And to make it look like a miracle,
the Sovereign Pontiff and the Emperor had to simulate great surprise.
They both did it willingly, like a comedy.
Little did His Holiness Pius VII know that the treatment he would receive from Napoleon
during the following years, would be more like a tragedy.
On 2 December, the coronation took place, immortalized by David.
But Prince, tell us,
how could it be that David, in the picture of the coronation,
placed the Emperor's mother in the center of the canvas,
when, as everyone knows, she was in Rome?
That's because David was a great artist, and not a historian.
We are in 1804 and Napoleon has, for some time, not gone to war.
He renounced his idea of ​​attacking England and pointed his guns towards Austria.
After immortalizing his hat with a simple gesture,
he left Paris at six in the morning of the 24 of September 1805.
Let us try to follow his footsteps.
After the victory at Donauwerth, he takes command of the combat.
Murat again salvages glory at Wertingen.
After the victory of Ney, he orders to bombard the city of Ulm.
He sends a negotiator to request to the General in Chief
of the Austrian forces that they capitulate.
On the 19th, at eight, capitulation occurs.
And the next morning, in the presence of Ney,
33,000 prisoners parade and deposit their arms at the feet of the Emperor,
along with 40 standards and 60 cannon.
This new victory encourages Napoleon to continue the war.
The next battle will determine our future.
I trust the control of the Left flank to Marshal Lannes.
The Right, to Marshal Soult. The Centre, to Marshal Bernadotte.
And the whole cavalry to Prince Murat.
Murat, I beg you to say nothing!
The division of General Suchet will be placed to the right of Marshal Lannes.
Finally, the cavalry of Murat will have ahead of them Kellerman's forces.
The sun is with us.
Attack the enemy and return victorious.
I salute you, gentlemen. - Vive la France!
At six o'clock in the afternoon, the victory of Austerlitz
was a fait accompli.
Soldiers,
I am satisfied with you.
In the day of Austerlitz,
you have justified everything that I expected of your audacity.
You have decorated your eagles
with an immortal glory.
When all that is needed
to ensure the prosperity and happiness of our country
has been achieved,
I will take you back to France.
There, you will be the object of all my attentions.
My people will receive you with enthusiasm.
And it will be enough to say: "I was in the battle of Austerlitz",
to be answered: "There goes a brave man."