From the creators of In the name of Athens, The destiny of Roma and Trafalgar, a new docu drama staging one of the most memorable and mythical military campaigns and defeats of recent history, the invasion of Russia by the Emperor Napoleon.
1812: Napoleon gathers an army of 600 000 men from 24 different Nations, the largest army ever united. Against the advice of his closest councilors, he marches towards Moscow with the firm intention to conquer Russia. 172 days later, Napoleon retreats, leaving behind him 400 000 of his men dead or prisoners.
Why did Napoleon decide to conquer Russia? How could the greatest leader of the time make so many strategic mistakes? How was the man perceived from within his troupes and by the other side, the Russians, and by the other sovereigns of Europe?
In a 2x52’ docudrama, we tell the story within the story. Through the journals, letters and memoirs of simple soldiers, Russian citizens and politicians, the men closest to the Emperor, and Napoleon himself, this mini-collection will tell with emotion and historical accuracy Napoleon’s first defeat and the beginning of the end.
With state of the art CGI using full-synthesis images, the film blends reconstructions of virtual sets with live actors. This allows to rebuild in a very realistic and cinematographic way scenes such as the burning of Moscow and the passing of the Berezina river in which over 200 000 men died.
Direction: Fabrice Hourlier
Production: Docside & Indigènes Productions