The story is pure fiction, but told with the dignity and self-assurance of an Oliver Stone conspiracy tale.
The Emperor's New Clothes (2002)
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Reviews Counted:84
Fresh:62
Rotten:22
Average Rating:6.6/10
Consensus: The premise of The Emperor's New Clothes is intriguing, and Holm gives a delightful performance.
Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES recasts history in 19th Century France. Based on the novel by Simon Leys, THE DEATH OF NAPOLEON, the film supposes that Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from exile in St. Helena... THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES recasts history in 19th Century France. Based on the novel by Simon Leys, THE DEATH OF NAPOLEON, the film supposes that Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from exile in St. Helena and returned to Paris in 1821, whereas the history books say he died that year. With imaginative photography, beautiful costumes, an upbeat orchestral score, and solid acting, the film is a fanciful, witty, comedic delight. Starting out in St. Helena, Napoleon (Ian Holm) enjoys a pampered existence, even as a prisoner, and is treated with great respect by those who serve him. Therefore, when he devises a scheme to trade places with a servant on a ship so that he may escape, the deckhand he chooses (also Holm) thinks he's the luckiest man alive, waited on hand and foot in St. Helena. Napoleon returns to Paris under the guise of this ship servant. When he arrives, he expects to be recognized, received with joy by his people, and made emperor once again. Instead, he is ignored. Days later, the deckhand in St. Helena dies, literally erasing Napoleon's existence. From there, Napoleon must adjust to daily life in the free world as nothing more than a simple Everyman. Fortunately, he finds a loving wife, Pumpkin (Iben Hjejle), to help him with the transition. [More]
Starring: Ian Holm, Iben Hjejle, Tim McInnerny, Tom Watson
Starring: Ian Holm, Iben Hjejle, Tim McInnerny, Tom Watson, Nigel Terry, Hugh Bonneville, Murray Melvin, Eddie Marsan, Clive Russell, Niall O'Brien
Director: Alan Taylor
Director: Alan Taylor
Screenwriter: Alan Taylor, Kevin Molony, Herbie Wave
Producer: Uberto Pasolini
Composer: Rachel Portman
Studio: Paramount Classics
Reviews for The Emperor's New Clothes
While Holm is terrific as both men and Hjejle quite appealing, the film fails to make the most out of the intriguing premise.
Cleverly upends the goals of the grand strategist, turning him into an underdog to be rooted for. And root we do, quite loyally.
A bit of whimsically warped history elevated by the central performance of Ian Holm.
Viewers are asked so often to suspend belief that were it not for Holm's performance, the film would be a total washout.
Gives Holm one of his rare cracks at a true starring role, and the man is magnificent.
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.
[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.
Presents an intriguing concept ... without developing the idea in a believable or amusing way.
Holm manages to hold the whole thing together, while convincingly shifting gears between the two characters.
Another day, another story. Rewriting history in ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’
Holm does his sly, intricate magic, and Iben Hjelje is entirely appealing as Pumpkin.
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.
The film is occasionally too happy with itself, but it's anchored in a marvelously varied and tempered performance by Ian Holm.
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