L’Otage de l’Europe (1989)

L’Otage de l’Europe is a French period drama film first released in 1989, directed by Jerzy Kawalerowicz.  The film is based on a novel by Juliusz Dankowski and stars Roland Blanche, Vernon Dobtcheff, François Berléand, Didier Flamand and Ronald Guttman.  It has also been released under the title: Jeniec Europy.  Our overall rating for this film is: mediocre.


The former emperor of France Napoléon lives out his last few years on the remote island of St Helena.  A new British governor, Hudson Lowe, arrives, determined to put the once great general in his place.  Unfortunately, he has not reckoned with Bonaparte’s resilience and unbridled hostility towards the English...

With its appropriately austere setting, this film provides a sombre portrait of Napoléon’s last few years during his exile on St Helena.  Roland Blanche plays the ageing Bonaparte with great force and humanity, making his character much more sympathetic than his rival, the bumbling, self-pitying Hudson Lowe.

Whilst the film is generally well made, it is a cold lumbering affair, dragging particularly towards the end.  It appears that there is scarcely enough material for a film of this length (over two hours), and some weak, underdeveloped characterisation emphasises this painfully. Ultimately, the film feels as bleak and empty as its island setting, and the viewer’s understanding of Napoléon is scarcely advanced.

© James Travers 2000

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