Daniel, “where are my contributions?” I have absolutely no idea I’m afraid, I’m not a moderator and have no editorial powers. Neither have I complained or reported anything to anyone. We do however have a code of conduct though which you might want to review.
On your broader point of linguistic and national biases, I happen to think you might be right. It’s certainly been my experience that many francophone and US Napoleon admiration sites brook little or no objective assessment either.
To reiterate, I never accused the French (or anyone) of being excessively patriotic or jingoistic. I caveated “All countries are from time to time”, which means I’m actually in agreement that it is not excessive or unusual. Perhaps my phrasing was unclear, particularly if English is not a first language, for which I can only apologise.
My query was about personal attachment and adoration, particularly amongst from the non-French. I’m fascinated by the motivation. I’d be very happy to explore that with you?
Another "opinion" by a "Napoleon" cast member (for what its worth): I can pretty much guess how this movie is going to go from these quotes. (And having actor playing Napoleon, who was seven or so years younger than Josephine, being fifteen years older than the actress playing Josephine changes the dynamic of their relationship.
[The} actress continued: "Napoleon wasn't stoic and wonderful like Russell Crowe was in 'Gladiator'. He was a dictator, a war criminal, really.
"It couldn't be rousing, because that man killed hundreds and hundreds of thousands of men, in my opinion needlessly. And for what? To get an empire, for what?
"In the end, it all disintegrated anyway. That psyche run wild is dangerous as hell, and very strange. And this is a portrait of that."
I'd bet the age difference will make it look like the sadistic Napoleon is abusive to the young, innocent Josephine. We know there's a scene where Napoleon slaps Josephine.
If I was to pick one, I’d say Cromwell. He probably saw himself as an Alexander or a Caesar.
As to the ‘great reformer’ tag, it’s worth noting the the Revolution did not just lop off the heads of a king and noble or two. It completely dislocated society and it’s institutions. The church, the judicial system, even the calendar, was swept away. Pragmatically the revolution had at worst resulted in dysfunction. At best a clean slate. Any regime that followed it would have to be reformers, there was no other direction to go. That is why many of the ‘Napoleonic’ reforms were already under way under the Directorate. The Napoleonic legend machine vacuums them up anyway.
Daniel, “where are my contributions?” I have absolutely no idea I’m afraid, I’m not a moderator and have no editorial powers. Neither have I complained or reported anything to anyone. We do however have a code of conduct though which you might want to review.
On your broader point of linguistic and national biases, I happen to think you might be right. It’s certainly been my experience that many francophone and US Napoleon admiration sites brook little or no objective assessment either.
To reiterate, I never accused the French (or anyone) of being excessively patriotic or jingoistic. I caveated “All countries are from time to time”, which means I’m actually in agreement that it is not excessive or unusual. Perhaps my phrasing was unclear, particularly if English is not a first language, for which I can only apologise.
My query was about personal attachment and adoration, particularly amongst from the non-French. I’m fascinated by the motivation. I’d be very happy to explore that with you?
Another "opinion" by a "Napoleon" cast member (for what its worth): I can pretty much guess how this movie is going to go from these quotes. (And having actor playing Napoleon, who was seven or so years younger than Josephine, being fifteen years older than the actress playing Josephine changes the dynamic of their relationship.
[The} actress continued: "Napoleon wasn't stoic and wonderful like Russell Crowe was in 'Gladiator'. He was a dictator, a war criminal, really.
"It couldn't be rousing, because that man killed hundreds and hundreds of thousands of men, in my opinion needlessly. And for what? To get an empire, for what?
"In the end, it all disintegrated anyway. That psyche run wild is dangerous as hell, and very strange. And this is a portrait of that."
Ultimately Napoleon was like…well….a Napoleon.
If I was to pick one, I’d say Cromwell. He probably saw himself as an Alexander or a Caesar.
As to the ‘great reformer’ tag, it’s worth noting the the Revolution did not just lop off the heads of a king and noble or two. It completely dislocated society and it’s institutions. The church, the judicial system, even the calendar, was swept away. Pragmatically the revolution had at worst resulted in dysfunction. At best a clean slate. Any regime that followed it would have to be reformers, there was no other direction to go. That is why many of the ‘Napoleonic’ reforms were already under way under the Directorate. The Napoleonic legend machine vacuums them up anyway.