Napoleon (1927) - Blu-ray Special Edition

Abel Gance's cinematic masterpiece Napoleon is a groundbreaking silent epic that chronicles the early life and rise of one of history's most iconic figures. Conceived as the first of a six-film series, this five-and-a-half-hour restoration presents a sweeping vision of Napoleon Bonaparte's personal and political triumphs, from his formative years to the brink of imperial power. Utilizing revolutionary filmmaking techniques—including the triptych Polyvision format—this restored version delivers an unparalleled historical and cinematic experience, accompanied by Carl Davis's monumental score newly recorded in 7.1.

Release Information:

• Original Release Year: 1927
• Studio/Distributor: BFI National Archive

Feature Presentation:

• Runtime: 332 minutes
• Rating: PG (mild battle violence)
• Genre: Drama, Historical
• Audio: 7.1 DTS-HD (48kHz/24-bit), PCM 2.0 stereo (48kHz/24-bit)
• Subtitles: English intertitles

Special Features:

• New 2K restoration
• The Charm of Dynamite (1968, 51 mins) – BBC documentary on Abel Gance's silent films, narrated by Lindsay Anderson
• Composing Napoleon – An Interview with Carl Davis (2016, 45 mins)
• Feature-length commentary by Paul Cuff
• Napoleon digital restoration featurette (2016, 5 mins)
• Stills and Special Collections Gallery
• Alternative single-screening ending
• Individual triptych panel presentations
• Illustrated 36-page book with writings by Paul Cuff, Kevin Brownlow, and Hervé Dumont; interview with Carl Davis; full film, music, and restoration credits

Technical Specifications:

• Format: Blu-ray
• Region: B
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 + 4.1 (triptych)
• Video Quality: 1080p
• Codec: BD50 x 3, 24fps

Cast & Crew:

• Director: Abel Gance