I saw this on PBS here in the U.S. around 1976, and was blown away by the sheer brilliance and subtlety of Ian Holm's performance as Napoleon. Probably the best performance I've ever seen, and I don't say that lightly. At the very least, it ranks in the top five I've seen from any actor, male or female. Billie Whitelaw is superb as Josephine, as well.
The entire production is magnificent, without being overdone - the script, direction, art direction, costuming, all done with wonderful intelligence, restraint, subtlety, grace. Just wonderful!
It's such a shame that this (and many other British made for TV productions from the 70s - see my review of "Hedda Gabler" with Janet Suzman (another performance in my top five of all time)) is not available on DVD. If anyone connected with the production is reading this, and has any influence in the matter, please release it on DVD. It is a production, and especially, a performance, that deserves to be seen by all!!
The entire production is magnificent, without being overdone - the script, direction, art direction, costuming, all done with wonderful intelligence, restraint, subtlety, grace. Just wonderful!
It's such a shame that this (and many other British made for TV productions from the 70s - see my review of "Hedda Gabler" with Janet Suzman (another performance in my top five of all time)) is not available on DVD. If anyone connected with the production is reading this, and has any influence in the matter, please release it on DVD. It is a production, and especially, a performance, that deserves to be seen by all!!
