The Emperor's New Clothes

Play trailer

The Emperor's New Clothes

PG

2002

1h 46m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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

Phil L

Loved it. Ian Holm is magic in this delightful movie. He has the lightest touch and is surrounded by a solid cast. As said elsewhere, there is a Hans Christian Anderson feel to this tale as it pulls on different emotions during its development and uses time and place to transport us to this new world.. I didn't know what to expect with this film but got something that was clever and funny and at times very thoughtful. Holm is at the centre of the many good aspects in a film that is also broader than that.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/14/25

Full Review

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

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Alan Taylor

Director

Ian Holm

Napoleon Bonaparte

Iben Hjejle

Pumpkin

Tim McInnerny

Dr. Lambert

Tom Watson

Gerard

Nigel Terry

Montholon

Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles

11%

25%

Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles

My Favorite Martian

13%

31%

My Favorite Martian

Watchlist

Manna From Heaven

22%

53%

Manna From Heaven

Watchlist

Canadian Bacon

15%

53%

Canadian Bacon

Watchlist

The Pink Panther

21%

51%

The Pink Panther

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now