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Movies / On DVD / The Emperor's New Clothes
The Emperor's New Clothes

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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.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for brief language

Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Jun 14, 2002 Limited

Box Office: $476,397

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

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Dec 10, 2002

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for The Emperor's New Clothes

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N/R

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Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
02/13/09
Derek Elley
Variety
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review
N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Empire Magazine
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
04/09/04
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
02/03/04
Jamie Russell
BBC

A nifty premise turns into a ridiculous film.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
09/03/03
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A great companion piece to other Napoleon films.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
06/02/03
Jamie Gillies
Apollo Guide
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
01/02/03
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

A unique, and not always successful mixture of comedy and drama, helped by Ian Holm's inspired acting.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
10/28/02
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

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.

Full Review Source: Cincinnati Enquirer | comment Comment
10/15/02
Margaret A. McGurk
Cincinnati Enquirer

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
09/18/02
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

Fails to ignite in the way a film -- even a comedy -- revolving around Napoleon should.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
08/25/02
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
08/09/02
Robert Denerstein
Denver Rocky Mountain News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

All of this is written, directed and acted with verve, feeling and wit.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
08/08/02
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

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.

Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
08/07/02
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
08/02/02
Reel.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Unlike a vaguely similarly-themed film, Dave, New Clothes is not concerned with what the unwitting usurper does, but who he becomes.

Full Review Source: Cinerina | comment Comment
08/01/02
Karina Montgomery
Cinerina

The Emperor's New Clothes may not be proper history, but it is good entertainment.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
07/28/02
Bruce Kirkland
Jam! Movies
 
 
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