Abel Gances Napoléon (1927) is a groundbreaking French silent epic following the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte from childhood through his early military campaigns. Famous for its revolutionary cinematography, including multi-camera Polyvision sequences, the film remains one of cinemas most ambitious achievements and a cornerstone of historical war epics.

Marking a new chapter in the history of one of the worlds greatest films, the release of Abel Gances Napoleon is the culmination of a project spanning 50 years. Digitally restored by the BFI National Archive and Academy Award-winning film historian Kevin Brownlow, this cinematic triumph is available to experience on Blu-ray for the very first time

Originally conceived by Gance as the first of six films about Napoleon, this five-and-a-half-hour epic features full-scale historical creations of episodes from his personal and political life, that see Bonaparte overcome fierce rivals and political machinations to seal his imperial destiny.

Utilising a number of groundbreaking cinematic techniques, Napoleon is accompanied by Carl Davis monumental score (newly recorded in 7.1), and offers one of the most thrilling experiences in the entire history of film.

Från IMDB:
A film about the French generals youth and early military career.

Special features

New 2K restoration

The Charm of Dynamite (Kevin Brownlow, 1968, 51 mins): BBC documentary on Glance s silent films, narrated by Lindsay Anderson

Composing Napoleon An Interview with Carl Davis) (2016, 45 mins)

Feature-length commentary by Paul Cuff

Napoleon digital restoration featurette (2016, 5 mins)

Stills and Special Collections Gallery

Alternative single-screening ending

Individual triptych panel presentations

Illustrated 32-page book with writing by Paul Cuff, Kevin Brownlow and H