Why Ridley Scott’s Napoleon Is Rated R

What may surprise parents, however, is that «Napoleon» has also been rated R for sexual content. While the film is no doubt about Napoleon’s rise to power, Ridley Scott’s epic will also highlight his relationship with his (first) wife Joséphine de Beauharnais (Vanessa Kirby). While speaking with Empire, Scott opened up about how the film is just as much about Joséphine as it is about the French commander. «It was very hard work, because it’s so easy to start talking about battles when I want to talk about Napoleon,» the director explained. «So I kept reining it in, I kept going back to Joséphine.» In a preview for Entertainment Weekly, the outlet made a note to highlight how Scott wanted to make the romance between Napoleon and Joséphine at the heart of the film. 

Ultimately, it’s up to parents and guardians to decide if «Napoleon» is appropriate for their children. Perhaps parents should consider watching some of Scott’s previous R-rated biopics, such as «The Last Duel» or «House of Gucci» to get an idea of the director’s style before making a definitive decision. Prospective viewers should also know that Scott intends to release a four-hour-plus director’s cut of the film on Apple TV+. That version of the film will feature over an hour more of footage, though it remains to be seen what that version is rated. Speaking to Empire (via IndieWire), Scott hinted that the director’s cut will focus more on Joséphine, so it’s possible some parents may want to wait and show that more nuanced version of the film to their children. 

«Napoleon» hits cinemas on November 22. There’s no word yet on when the director’s cut will hit Apple TV+.