Connect with us


Movies

Waterloo (Columbia 1970, Rod Steiger, Christopher Plummer)

Published

on


Russian director Sergei Bondarchuk was clearly not a man who believed in giving himself an easy ride through life. Fresh from filming Tolstoy’s War and Peace, he decided to recreate the 1815 Battle of Waterloo for his next project. A lavish, multinational affair, Waterloo contains some of the best large-scale battle scenes ever shot. It may not match the Omaha Beach scene in Saving Private Ryan for bloodiness or as an anti-war statement, but the hour-long battle scene in the film’s second half is simply breathtaking, epic cinema in its truest form: a technical tour de force that leaves one amazed at the incredibly well co-ordinated scenes of carnage.

Napoleon (Rod Steiger) and Wellington (Christopher Plummer) are opposing generals with one common interest: they both love the smell of gunpowder in the morning. Napoleon, the Little Emperor, has returned from exile to the delight of his French countrymen and has assembled an army to conquer Europe. Wellington leads the allied forces of the British, Austrians, Prussians and Russians to fight the French, with the two armies finally meeting in Waterloo, Belgium. The impressive cast also includes Orson Welles, as King Louis XVIII, and Jack Hawkins as one of Wellington’s attendant officers.

Steiger employs some method acting to capture the madness of Napoleon and, according to Variety , ‘gives a remarkably powerful portrayal.’ Plummer is altogether more refined and laid-back as the Iron Duke, who plays by the rules. Shooting in both Italy and Russia, Bondarchuk used thousands of soldiers from the Red Army as extras for the battle scenes, although he had problems controlling many of them (they used to panic and scatter whenever the opposing cavalry charged at them during filming). ‘The battle is a masterpiece of production,’ wrote Variety, ‘and is staged colourfully, dramatically and authentically.’

Advertisement

production details
Italy – USSR | Columbia – DDL – Mosfilm | 128 minutes | 1970
Director: Sergey Bondarchuk
Script: H.A.L. Craig, Sergey Bondarchuk, Vittorio Bonicelli,

cast
Orso Maria Guerrini as Officer
Virginia McKenna as Duchess of Richmond
Michael Wilding as Colonel Sir William Ponsonby
Orson Welles as Louis XVIII
Terence Alexander as Lord Uxbridge
Christopher Plummer as Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
Rod Steiger as Napoleon Bonaparte
Philippe Forquet as La Bedoyere
Jack Hawkins as General Sir Thomas Picton
Dan O’Herlihy as Marshal Michel Ney
Rupert Davies as Gordon
Gianni Garko as Drouot
Ivo Garrani as Marshal Soult
Ian Ogilvy as De Lancey
Serghej Zakhariadze as Blucher
Donal Donnelly as O’Connor
Oleg Vidov as Tomlinson
Veronica De Laurentiis as Magdalene Hall
Peter Davies as Lord Hay
Willoughby Gray as Ramsey
Gennadi Yudin as Chactas


Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

General Hospital Today General Hospital Today
News4 hours ago

General Hospital, March 29, 2024, ABC,

Friday’s episode of General Hospital airing March 29, 2024 at 2.00pm on ABC, explores the fallout from Jason Morgan’s recent...

Good Morning America Good Morning America
News4 hours ago

Sheryl Crow, Good Morning America, March 29, 2024, ABC,

On Friday, March 29, Good Morning America presents a special celebration of the 10th year of the hit Broadway musical...

Days of Our Lives Days of Our Lives
News4 hours ago

Days of Our Lives, March 29, 2024, Peacock

On Friday, March 29, in the world of Days of Our Lives, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) has a change of...

The Drew Barrymore Show The Drew Barrymore Show
News4 hours ago

Eugene Levy, The Drew Barrymore Show, March 29, 2024, CBS,

In the latest episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, airing on CBS on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM,...

CBS Mornings CBS Mornings
News4 hours ago

Diarra Kilpatrick, CBS Mornings, March 29, 2024

On Friday, March 29th, CBS Mornings will feature a special guest: Diarra Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick is not only the executive producer...

The Jennifer Hudson Show The Jennifer Hudson Show
News4 hours ago

Jenna Dewan, The Jennifer Hudson Show, March 29, 2024,

On Friday, March 29, The Jennifer Hudson Show brings viewers a delightful Spring Celebration. One of the highlights of the...

The Kelly Clarkson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show
News4 hours ago

Brittany Howard, Mayan Lopez, The Kelly Clarkson Show, March 29, 2024, NBC Syndicated

On Friday, March 29, The Kelly Clarkson Show presents an episode filled with incredible segments One of the highlights is...

LIVE with Kelly and Mark LIVE with Kelly and Mark
News4 hours ago

Andrea Riseborough, Jessica Capshaw, Live with Kelly and Mark, 29 March 2024, ABC

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos—the hosts of Live with Kelly and Mark—welcome actress Jessica Capshaw and Alice & Jack star...

James Martin's Saturday Morning James Martin's Saturday Morning
News3 hours ago

Michaela Strachan, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, 30 March 2024, ITV1

ITV’s James Martin’s Saturday Morning is the perfect relaxed culinary companion to your weekend, airing every Saturday morning from the...

Antiques Roadshow Antiques Roadshow
News3 hours ago

Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff 3, Antiques Roadshow, 31 March 2024, BBC One

The BBC’s Antiques Roadshow visits Alexandra Gardens in Cathays Park, Cardiff, for an episode full of exciting discoveries and fascinating...

RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World
News3 hours ago

Grand Finale, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World, 29 March 2024, BBC Three

BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World sees queens from the Drag Race franchise across the globe compete...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News3 hours ago

Natasha Raskin Sharp, Bargain Hunt, 29 March 2024, BBC One

BBC One’s Bargain Hunt sees two teams compete against each other to make the most profit from buying and selling...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News3 hours ago

Chernobyl: The Full Story, 29 March 2024, Channel 5,

Powerful documentary, Chernobyl: The Full Story, narrated by Ben Fogle, airs on Friday 29 March 2024 at 10.00pm on Channel...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News3 hours ago

Travel Man: 48 Hours in Rovaniemi, 29 March 2024, Channel 4,

Join Joe Lycett and a suited-up Desiree Burch for a new episode of Travel Man as they pack their bags...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News3 hours ago

The Sewer Map of Britain, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, Friday

Prepare for an enlightening journey into the underworld on Friday 29 March 2024 at 8.00pm on Channel 5 with The...

Bargain Loving Brits Bargain Loving Brits
News3 hours ago

Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, “Series 11, Episode 8”

This episode of Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun airing on Friday 29 March 2024 at 4.00pm on Channel 5,...

Popular