The Emperor's New Clothes (2001)

73% of critics liked it
(85 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(831 ratings)

A fanciful retelling of the story of Napoleon Bonaparte (played by heralded actor Ian Holm, this British costume comedy suggests that it was Napoleon's double, not the man himself, who died on St. Helena Island. The film begins by presenting Napoleon after his defeat at Waterloo, at the home of a… More A fanciful retelling of the story of Napoleon Bonaparte (played by heralded actor Ian Holm, this British costume comedy suggests that it was Napoleon's double, not the man himself, who died on St. Helena Island. The film begins by presenting Napoleon after his defeat at Waterloo, at the home of a young boy (Tom Watson), where he watches a slide show of his actions and begins to tell his story. The film flashes back to Napoleon's six years of house arrest, when he dictated his memoirs to an aide (Murray Melvin). He has concocted a scheme with his sidekicks Montholon (Nigel Terry) and Bertrand (Hugh Bonneville) and a valet named Marchand (Eddie Marsan) to plant a double in his place so he can escape to Paris, where he can then reclaim his throne as emperor of France. Posing as a galley hand, Napoleon steals a ship, but mistakenly arrives in Belgium, where he must then make his way back to France by barge. When he finally arrives in Paris, he discovers his contact, Truchaut, has died, and he enlists the help of his widow Pumpkin (played by Mifune's Iben Hjelje). Unable to reveal his true identity, Napoleon kills time by using Pumpkin and other supporters to start a profitable business, and Pumpkin begins to find herself drawn to Napoleon, though knowing his real identity. The film was directed by American filmmaker Alan Taylor, who helmed the quirky 1995 comedy Palookaville. ~ Jason Clark, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Alan Taylor
Written By: Alan Taylor, Kevin Molony, Herbie Wave
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 1, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Aug 2, 2002
Studio: Paramount Classics

Critic Reviews

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
A delightful, if minor, pastry of a movie.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
Recent and long-standing fans of Holm must relish the chance to watch Sir Ian in a dual role, one that he explores with customary insight, subtlety and good humor.
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
[Holm] saves this film time and again with an eagle's gaze that puts you on alert, prompting you to sit up a little straighter in that theater seat.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
To build a feel-good fantasy around a vain dictator-madman is off-putting, to say the least, not to mention inappropriate and wildly undeserved.
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle
This new spin on the old switcheroo plot is intriguing, warmly human and gently funny.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
A bright, inventive, thoroughly winning flight of revisionist fancy.
Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media
Farcical, old-fashioned Hans Christian Andersen tale.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A nifty premise turns into a ridiculous film.
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide
A great companion piece to other Napoleon films.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
A unique, and not always successful mixture of comedy and drama, helped by Ian Holm's inspired acting.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
Mr. Holm possesses the kind of skill that acting is all about: He can make an audience forget what they know and believe they are watching two different men.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
Fails to ignite in the way a film -- even a comedy -- revolving around Napoleon should.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
All of this is written, directed and acted with verve, feeling and wit.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
It may not be history %u2013 but then again, what if it is? %u2013 but it makes for one of the most purely enjoyable and satisfying evenings at the movies I've had in a while.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"The Emperor's New Clothes" takes place in 1821 as Napoleon Bonaparte(Ian Holm) escapes from St. Helena after a six year exile, exchanging places with a look-a-like. The plan is for him to reach France by boat and the imposter to be revealed,… More
[font=Century Gothic]"The Emperor's New Clothes" takes place in 1821 as Napoleon Bonaparte(Ian Holm) escapes from St. Helena after a six year exile, exchanging places with a look-a-like. The plan is for him to reach France by boat and the imposter to be revealed, allowing him to retake the throne. But the plan starts to go awry when the boat overshoots France, and he ends up in Belgium instead.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"The Emperor's New Clothes" is not the broad comedy I was expecting(though there is a little of that here). It is actually a gentle and poignant bit of speculation about history, dreams of glory and the people trying to recapture them. Through this, the movie conveys a subtle antiwar message. And Ian Holm sets the right mood with a magnificent performance. Only the pedestrian direction hurts the movie. [/font]