Ridley Scott’s Spectacular Film Trailer Shows Napoleon’s Breathtaking Pyramids Adventure!

### Historical Accuracy vs Artistic Liberty

In Ridley Scott’s upcoming Apple movie, *Napoleon*, the trailer showcases Joaquin Phoenix as the trigger-happy French Emperor, engaging in all manner of explosive activities, including shooting up a pyramid. The question that arises is whether Napoleon actually fired a cannon at one of the great pyramids of Giza.

Scott and screenwriter David Scarpa may be taking some artistic liberties with this scene. While it is true that Napoleon invaded Egypt in 1798 and fought a major battle within sight of the pyramids, there are no historical records to suggest that Napoleon actually shot a cannon at these ancient wonders. The idea of using a cannon to destroy a pyramid seems to be inspired by the myth that Napoleon‘s troops shot off the Sphinx’s nose during target practice.

### The Charming Reality of Napoleon‘s Visit to Egypt

Historical novelist Shannon Selin provides a delightful demystification of Napoleon‘s time in Egypt. According to Selin’s research, when Napoleon visited the pyramids, he challenged some members of his party to climb one of them. The winner of this competition, a mathematician named Gaspard Monge, shared a sip of brandy with his rivals as they reached the summit.

It is worth noting that Napoleon did make some calculations during his visit. He speculated that the stones of the pyramids could be used to build a 10-foot wall around all of France, a calculation that Monge supposedly verified. However, it is unclear whether this calculation was made before or after the brandy was consumed.

### The Symbolism of Napoleon‘s Cannon Shots

While it would have been fascinating to see Napoleon‘s nerdy climb up the pyramid and his calculations on the big screen, Ridley Scott understands the power of bombastic visual metaphors. By showing Napoleon using his cannons to assault the embodiment of history itself, Scott is making a bold statement about the Emperor’s destructive power. The scenes in the trailer, with Napoleon progressing from vaporizing revolutionaries to attacking a symbol of the past, are visually stunning and impactful.

### Editorial and Advice

It is essential for viewers to recognize that historical accuracy and artistic liberty often coexist in period-piece movies. While it may be easy to criticize Ridley Scott and David Scarpa for taking some creative liberties in *Napoleon*, it is important to remember that movies are works of fiction. Filmmakers have the artistic freedom to interpret historical events and characters in ways that make for entertaining and visually compelling stories.

As audiences, it is crucial not to take every scene in a historical movie at face value. Instead, we should approach these films with a critical eye, appreciating them for their artistic achievements and using them as a starting point for further exploration of history. While we may not see the charming and nerdy side of Napoleon in this movie, we can always delve into books and research to uncover the true complexities of historical figures.

In conclusion, the question of whether Napoleon really shot a pyramid may never be definitively answered. However, the purpose of *Napoleon* is not to provide a historically accurate account of the Emperor’s life. It is a work of fiction that seeks to explore Napoleon‘s character and impact through Ridley Scott’s visionary lens. So sit back, enjoy the explosive action on screen, and let the debate over historical accuracy continue.