Apple TV+’s “Napoleon” is a 2023 epic historical drama film directed and co-produced by Ridley Scott, with a script by David Scarpa. It tells the story of Napoleon Bonaparte, focusing on his rise to power and his complex relationship with his wife, Joséphine. Joaquin Phoenix stars as Napoleon, while Vanessa Kirby plays Joséphine. The film explores Napoleon’s determined journey and his troubled relationship with his wife.
In addition to Phoenix and Kirby, the movie features performances from Tahar Rahim, Ben Miles, Ludivine Sagnier, and Matthew Needham. The film is known for its impressive and realistic battle scenes, making viewers curious about where it was filmed.
Where was “Napoleon” Filmed?
The film “Napoleon” was shot across various locations in England, Malta, France, and Morocco, with key sites including Buckinghamshire, Lincoln, Oxfordshire, Sussex, London, Surrey, Kettering, Farnham, Kalkara, Paris, and Merzouga. Reports indicate that principal photography for the Joaquin Phoenix-led film began in February 2022, under the working title “Marengo,” referencing the Battle of Marengo. The production team utilized 11 to 14 cameras on set, enabling them to complete filming in just over two months.
Buckinghamshire, England
A large part of the movie was filmed in Buckinghamshire, which is in South East England. The crew filmed important scenes at Stowe House, a grand country house in the parish of Stowe. Stowe House is a historic building and is open to the public, though it is also home to a private school. The nearby Stowe Avenue was also used for filming some scenes.
Another key location in Buckinghamshire was West Wycombe Park, a beautiful country house near the village of West Wycombe. The production team also filmed scenes with horse-drawn carriages and actors in costumes on the streets of the village, adding to the historical feel of the movie.
Other Locations in England
The filmmakers did not simply stay in Buckinghamshire. They also filmed in other locations of England. For example, they filmed in Lincoln, where they transformed the iconic Lincoln Cathedral into Notre-Dame de Paris for several scenes. The cathedral is a historic and magnificent structure, ideal for the film’s major moments.
The crew also recorded in the Great Hall of Blenheim Palace, a stunning baroque-style structure near Woodstock, Oxfordshire. They also shot some shots at Boughton House, a large estate near Kettering in Northamptonshire. Filming also took place in the Marble Hall and Grand Staircase of Petworth House in West Sussex.
In London, the crew filmed in the Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College, which is part of the University of Greenwich. Somerset House, a majestic neoclassical edifice where Queen Marie Antoinette’s execution was portrayed, was another well-known London landmark utilized in the film. The movie also filmed at Peperharow Park in Surrey and Hankley Common Golf Club in Farnham.
Malta, Morocco, and France
Aside from England, the filmmakers traveled to other nations to shoot the movie. In Malta, they filmed in Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara, a 17th-century fort used to depict Napoleon’s Siege of Toulon. They also shot in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul in Mdina, Malta, for three weeks in May 2022.
The crew also traveled to Morocco’s Merzouga desert to film scenes, which added to the film’s epic vibe. Finally, they shot a little segment of the film in Paris, France, known as the City of Love.
Napoleon (2023) was filmed in many beautiful and historic locations across England, Malta, France, and Morocco. Each location was carefully chosen to bring the story of Napoleon to life, from grand palaces to desert landscapes. The filmmakers used these diverse locations to create a visually stunning film that captures both the grandeur and the struggles of Napoleon’s life.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Napoleon
Q: Where was “Napoleon” filmed?
A: “Napoleon” was filmed in several locations across different countries. Key filming locations included Buckinghamshire in England, where Stowe House and West Wycombe Park were used. Other sites in England included Lincoln Cathedral, Blenheim Palace, Boughton House, Petworth House, the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, and Somerset House. Outside England, filming also took place in Fort Ricasoli and Mdina Cathedral in Malta, the Merzouga desert in Morocco, and briefly in Paris, France.
Q: When was “Napoleon” filmed?
A: The principal photography for “Napoleon” began in February 2022 under the working title “Marengo,” named after the Battle of Marengo. Filming continued for several months and concluded in April 2022. The production team completed filming just before the COVID-19 lockdowns began.
Q: What is the release date of “Napoleon”?
A: “Napoleon” was released on November 22, 2023. The film premiered in various countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States.
Q: Why were so many different locations used for filming “Napoleon”?
A: The use of various locations helped to accurately represent the historical and geographical settings of the film. Locations like Buckinghamshire provided historic buildings and landscapes, while Malta, Morocco, and Paris offered unique visual elements to recreate significant events and environments in Napoleon’s life.
Q: Did the filming locations include any famous landmarks?
A: Yes, several filming locations included famous landmarks. In England, Lincoln Cathedral was used to stand in for Notre-Dame de Paris. Blenheim Palace, Petworth House, and Somerset House also added historical and architectural depth to the film. In Malta, Fort Ricasoli and Mdina Cathedral were chosen for their historical significance and dramatic visual appeal.
