Napoleon, the latest historical epic from renowned filmmaker Ridley Scott, has made a remarkable entrance at the French box office, despite facing mixed reviews and criticism from French critics. The movie, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the iconic 19th-century French emperor, opened on Wednesday, November 22, and generated estimated ticket sales of €868,000 ($946,000) from approximately 120,000 screens, as reported by Comscore France.

Although Napoleon has encountered both praise and criticism, it managed to attract a significant number of moviegoers, proving its appeal at the box office. Some laud it as a "masterpiece," while others have scrutinized its historical inaccuracies. Notable French outlets such as Le Figaro, Le Point, and GQ France have published negative reviews, with GQ France labeling the film as "deeply clumsy, unnatural, and unintentionally funny," criticizing the American accents of French soldiers shouting "Vive La France" in certain scenes.

Ridley Scott, undeterred by the negative feedback, responded to the critics by stating, "The French don't even like themselves." However, he clarified that the audience in Paris, where he showcased the film, thoroughly enjoyed it. French historian Dan Snow also took to TikTok to highlight several inaccuracies in the movie, including the portrayal of Napoleon's background and certain events such as the Battle of the Pyramids and the execution of Marie-Antoinette.

Joaquin Phoenix, who plays the titular character, emphasized that Napoleon is an "experience told through Ridley's eyes" and urged viewers to delve into their own research to truly understand the historical figure. Meanwhile, Ridley Scott revealed that the theatrical version of Napoleon is not the final cut, as he has prepared an extended version that adds an additional 110 minutes to the film's runtime, similar to his approach with the director's cut of Kingdom of Heaven in 2005.

Napoleon is currently showing in cinemas across France and will subsequently be released on Apple TV+ following its theatrical run. Despite the divisive reactions and criticisms, the strong box office performance of Napoleon on its opening day indicates that the film has certainly struck a chord with audiences, challenge critics and making a notable impact in the French film industry.