Waterloo is a 1970 movie directed by Sergei Bondarchuk.
Waterloo tells the story of the famous battle that led to Napoleon Bonaparte’s demise. The movie features a ton of star power, as Rod Steiger plays Napoleon and Christopher Plummer is his English rival, the Duke of Wellington. Steiger inhabits both the swagger and introspection of his character, while Plummer gives a cavalier, old Hollywood feel to his. The visual scope and sound of the battle scenes is impressive, along with the blustery orchestral score.
THE BEST – Steiger Losing His Shit
Steiger’s Napoleon senses he’s losing his empire yet has an impossibly stoic facade to maintain. When these realizations occur, Steiger expertly conveys the rage of a man who simply cannot afford to fail.
THE WORST – Orson Welles Going Through the Motions
Other than to boast his name on the production, I’m not sure what Welles adds as the bloated, lethargic Louis XVIII.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 4/5
In terms of war movies, this is an impressive one. The battle scenes are brilliant and Steiger and Plummer ham up terrific performances.
