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The Emperor's New Clothes

Play trailer Poster for The Emperor's New Clothes PG 2002 1h 46m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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73% Tomatometer 85 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
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.
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The Emperor's New Clothes

The Emperor's New Clothes

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Critics Consensus

The premise of The Emperor's New Clothes is intriguing, and Holm gives a delightful performance.

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Critics Reviews

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Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Fails to ignite in the way a film -- even a comedy -- revolving around Napoleon should. Rated: 2.5/5 Aug 25, 2002 Full Review Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel A delightful, if minor, pastry of a movie. Rated: 4/5 Jul 25, 2002 Full Review Ella Taylor L.A. Weekly It's a great big snore. Jul 19, 2002 Full Review Renee Schonfeld Common Sense Media Farcical, old-fashioned Hans Christian Andersen tale. Rated: 2/5 Jan 11, 2011 Full Review Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Rated: 4/5 Aug 7, 2008 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews A nifty premise turns into a ridiculous film. Rated: C- Sep 3, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alec B An amusing concept that leans into the apocryphal myths surrounding Napoleon bolstered by a terrific Ian Holm performance. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review Seamus F This movie is a completely heartfelt ecperience with top-tier performances. The humor is witty and always seems to land and the story is exceptionally clever. This is an underrated gem that everyone should see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/11/23 Full Review Audience Member An amusing concept that leans into the apocryphal myths surrounding Napoleon bolstered by a terrific Ian Holm performance. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member A slight reimagining of history, with a superb performance by Ian Holm as both Napoleon living our his days in relative anonymity and his impersonator. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member A Napoleonic version of Viva Max! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Ian Holm's central performance(s) dominate this charming little gem, which suggests that it was Napoleon's double who died in St Helena, whilst Napoleon managed to get back to Paris. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Emperor's New Clothes

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Cast & Crew

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Alan Taylor

Director

Ian Holm

Napoleon Bonaparte

Iben Hjejle

Pumpkin

Tim McInnerny

Dr. Lambert

Tom Watson

Gerard

Nigel Terry

Montholon

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The Emperor's New Clothes

Sir Ian Holm in a duel role as Napoleon Bonepart and the double who takes his place in exile in Alan Taylor's 19th Century fable, THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Alan Taylor (Right) directs Sir Ian Holm in the duel role as Emperor Napoleon Bonepart and the double who takes his place in the 19th Century fable, THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Sir Ian Holm as Emperor Napoleon Bonepart and Iben Hjejle as Pumpkin, a peasant who falls in love with him, in Alan Taylor's 19th Century fable, THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Iben Hjejle (Left) with Alan Taylor on the set of THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Iben Hjejle as Pumpkin, a peasant who falls in love with Napoleon Boneparte in THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Alan Taylor (Right) directs Sir Ian Holm on the set of THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Sir Ian Holm in a duel role as Napoleon Bonepart and the double who takes his place in THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. A group of Parisian children mock Emperor Napoleon Boneparte, played by Sir Ian Holm, in Alan Taylor's 19th Century fable, THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Iben Hjejle as Pumpkin, a peasant who falls in love with Emperor Napoleon Boneparte, in Alan Taylor's 19th Century fable, THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. The Emperor's New Clothes (2001) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis 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.
Director
Alan Taylor
Producer
Uberto Pasolini
Screenwriter
Simon Leys, Kevin Molony, Alan Taylor, Herbie Wave
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Mikado Films, Redwave Films
Rating
PG (Brief Language)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 14, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 12, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$569.4K
Runtime
1h 46m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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