
The Emperor's New Clothes
2001, Comedy, 1h 46m
85 Reviews 500+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
The premise of The Emperor's New Clothes is intriguing, and Holm gives a delightful performance. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
The Emperor's New Clothes Photos
Movie Info
History records that when the great Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated at Waterloo he lost his power, his country and his freedom. Exiled to the island of St. Helena, he purportedly died a broken man. Yet history has been known to be wrong. Now comes a decidedly different version of events, an original tale about Napoleon's last great adventure -- and the adventures of the lowly imposter who assumed his identity in a grand conspiracy to outwit the world.
Cast & Crew
Ian Holm
Napoleon Bonaparte, Eugene Lenormand
Napoleon Bonaparte, Eugene Lenormand
Iben Hjejle
Pumpkin
Pumpkin
Tim McInnerny
Dr. Lambert
Dr. Lambert
Tom Watson
Gerard
Gerard
Nigel Terry
Montholon
Montholon
Hugh Bonneville
Bertrand
Bertrand
Critic Reviews for The Emperor's New Clothes
Audience Reviews for The Emperor's New Clothes
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Mar 31, 2021An amusing concept that leans into the apocryphal myths surrounding Napoleon bolstered by a terrific Ian Holm performance.Alec B Super Reviewer
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Aug 20, 2007bilbo baggins pretends to be napoleon the famous french emperor whoms ass we kicked. ian holm... the bloke always looking for a ring to put his finger in... doesn't play a frenchman well at all. no french accent, no speech in french at all. no looking like a twat. there were many holes in the storyline, such as how come nobody actually recognised napoleon? he was only the leader of the fricken' country. i have to say the last 20 minutes were more interesting when he was trying to get people to believe his story, but by then who cares? and much like the character that tim mcinnery plays (blackadders lord percy... "I HAVE CREATED AN OUNCE OF PURE GREEN!") who pretends he doesn't recognise napoleon, i didn't recognise him either coz he was so bloody un french it was retardedSanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
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Jan 10, 2007[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]Walter M Super Reviewer
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