The Napoleonic Quarterly

In minutes 15-30 of our screenplay treatment our protagonist Bonaparte has his refusal of the call moment, the love story gets going, the gang gets together, and then it all builds to the end of Act 1 when Napoleon crosses the threshold - and the bridge of Lodi - at the same time. This is really the episode when this project properly gets going - and our hero begins to narrow the gap between his star-following destiny-bound self-perception and his somewhat awkward reality.
Here's those secret movie voice notes in full, as recorded between episodes 2 and 3: https://www.patreon.com/posts/those-secret-in-155837568
Yes, it's episode three of this odd project. Taking up the challenge of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have to come up with the magic themselves.
As our resident AI bot N-AI-poleon Bot-aparte puts it:

The team reviews and refines the first 15 pages of the Napoleon screenplay, breaking down five key scenes that chart Napoleon’s journey from imprisonment in 1794 to his emergence as a political and military player.

There’s an in-depth discussion on revising historical details and narrative structure, including the role of the antagonist (shifting focus from Talleyrand to Barras) and centering Josephine as the driving love interest—replacing Desiree in earlier scenes for thematic cohesion.

The episode explores the depiction of Napoleon’s character during this formative period, emphasizing his internal ambiguity, uncertainty, and the tension between his self-image versus his reality—touching on his social awkwardness, aspirations, and motivations.

The hosts map out the next 15 minutes of the screenplay, focusing on classic screenwriting beats such as the refusal of the call, assembling Napoleon’s ‘gang’ of key figures, and leading up to a major “crossing the threshold” moment in Italy, with a proposed set piece at the Battle of Lodi bridge.

There’s a debate about how to balance historical accuracy with cinematic storytelling, such as condensing events for emotional impact, portraying Napoleon’s myth-building, and weaving Josephine and Barras into the heart of the story’s momentum.

This is the third in our series of recap episodes, offering a synthesis of our 1792-1804 coverage one year at a time. Chris Sloan talks presenter Alex Stevenson through specific key clips he's picked out from our old episodes grouped around four themes which, we argue, help frame the period and shape our understanding of it in a whole new way. We hope this will provide a helpful refresh for longstanding listeners - whilst at the same time offering an 'entry ramp' to the podcast for those who want to get up to speed relatively easily before we crash full-speed into the intensity of the Napoleonic Wars.
This episode covers 1794, a year of revolution, turmoil, and transformative conflict across Europe and beyond. Once again we're recapping an extraordinary year featuring pivotal moments in the French Revolution, including Robespierre's dramatic fall; the surprising tos and fros of the war in Europe; some grimly familiar shocking events in Eastern Europe; all whilst continuing to explore the global repercussions of revolutionary ideals. Or, in other words:
The height and collapse of the Terror in Revolutionary France, culminating in the Thermidorian Reaction

Key military innovations and battles, including the strategic leadership of Carnot and the Battle of Fleurus

The dramatic final chapter of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and the failed Kociuszko Uprising

The abolition of slavery in French colonies and the far-reaching impact on Haiti and the Caribbean

Crucial global developments, from the Glorious First of June naval battle to transformative events in the United States and beyond

Explore the interconnected stories of 1794 and discover how this pivotal year shaped the course of the Napoleonic era and world history.

Taking up the challenge of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have to come up with the magic themselves.
This episode covers their consideration of the film's first 15 minutes: critical real estate in any screenwriting escapade. Whilst we might not be clear what Napoleon's 'save the cat' moment is - the event which gets the audience to like or engag with the protagonist - we do have a clear answer to what the 'inciting incident' should be that propels our lead character into the world. And, shock horror, it's not going to be Toulon...
As our resident AI bot N-AI-poleon Bot-aparte puts it:

The team reconvenes to craft a unique treatment for a Napoleon movie, blending heist-movie energy with historical drama

Alex Stevenson lays out the initial setting: a dissolute, awkward young Napoleon in 1795 Paris, skipping over the usual Toulon set-piece in favour of a fresh perspective

James Topham explains the crucial components of a film’s first 15 pages: establishing character, creating a “save the cat” moment, and delivering a compelling inciting incident

The hosts debate Napoleon’s lack—whether it’s ambition, savoir faire, or something deeper—and explore how his transformation sets up the arc of the film

The episode climaxes with the inciting incident, launching Napoleon onto the stage of history, and setting up the next challenge: assembling his mustachioed crew for the film’s heist vibe.

Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

This is the second in a series of recap episodes, offering a synthesis of our 1792-1804 coverage one year at a time. Chris Sloan talks presenter Alex Stevenson through specific key clips he's picked out from our old episodes grouped around four themes which, we argue, help frame the period and shape our understanding of it in a whole new way. We hope this will provide a helpful refresh for longstanding listeners - whilst at the same time offering an 'entry ramp' to the podcast for those who want to get up to speed relatively easily before we crash full-speed into the intensity of the Napoleonic Wars.

This episode covers 1793, a year of revolutionary turmoil, dramatic political shifts, and international warfare as the French Revolution accelerates, reshaping France and reverberating across Europe and the wider world. Including:

- The trial and execution of King Louis XVI and the radicalization of the National Convention
- The rise of Robespierre and the establishment of the Reign of Terror
- The outbreak of civil war in the Vendée and mass conscription across France
- Key battles and the involvement of Britain, Spain, and other Coalition powers in the Revolutionary Wars
- Global impact with the Haitian Revolution, the abolition of slavery in Saint Domingue, and the emergence of Napoleon Bonaparte

Taking up the challenge of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have to come up with the magic themselves.
They do not succeed in this opening episode. But the creative process is a messy one, it turns out, and our trio very much hope listeners will struggle through these opening lurches towards excellence in order to access the cinematic gold which, ultimately, lies at the culmination of this project.
As our resident AI bot N-AI-poleon Bot-aparte puts it:

The team discusses what makes compelling screenwriting, focusing on the importance of theme, character, and narrative structure, and explores strategies for portraying Napoleon on screen 

Deliberation over Napoleon's core traits, debating insecurity, power, and the idea of him as an "addicted gambler" constantly pushing his luck, shapes the central approach to the script

The hosts entertain genre-bending ideas—from a heist film to comedic undertones—while considering historical accuracy, key relationships (like with Josephine), and the inclusion of iconic antagonists such as Talleyrand 

Plans are set to collaboratively develop the screenplay “Napoleon: One Last Job” live on the podcast, tackling 15 pages at a time, blending their theatrical, historical, and screenwriting perspectives

Listeners are advised not to get too excited about the whole heist thing. That might not last too long.