Napoleon

A chronicle of the French invasion of Russia in 1812, covering the battles of Smolensk and Borodino.

Napoleon's army marches toward Moscow with confidence, believing a swift victory over Russia is possible. The French Emperor underestimates Russian resistance and the harsh winter, leading to a campaign that culminates in Moscow's burning. As the French retreat, their once-mighty army decimates from cold, starvation, and Russian attacks. Soldiers die in droves on the frozen roads, with the army shrinking from 450,000 to a mere fraction of that number. The retreat becomes a nightmare of suffering and loss, marking the beginning of Napoleon's downfall and a turning point in European history.