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The Emperor's New Clothes

Play trailer Poster for The Emperor's New Clothes PG 2002 1h 46m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
73% Tomatometer 85 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
History records that when the great Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated at Waterloo he lost his power, his country and his freedom. Exiled to the island of St. Helena, he purportedly died a broken man. Yet history has been known to be wrong. Now comes a decidedly different version of events, an original tale about Napoleon's last great adventure -- and the adventures of the lowly imposter who assumed his identity in a grand conspiracy to outwit the world.
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The Emperor's New Clothes

The Emperor's New Clothes

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Critics Consensus

The premise of The Emperor's New Clothes is intriguing, and Holm gives a delightful performance.

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Critics Reviews

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Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Aug 25, 2002
2.5/5
Fails to ignite in the way a film -- even a comedy -- revolving around Napoleon should. Go to Full Review Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel Jul 25, 2002
4/5
A delightful, if minor, pastry of a movie. Go to Full Review Ella Taylor L.A. Weekly Jul 19, 2002
It's a great big snore. Go to Full Review Renee Schonfeld Common Sense Media Jan 11, 2011
2/5
Farcical, old-fashioned Hans Christian Andersen tale. Go to Full Review Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Aug 7, 2008
4/5
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Sep 3, 2003
C-
A nifty premise turns into a ridiculous film. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Phil L @Fairlighter Nov 14, 2025 Loved it. Ian Holm is magic in this delightful movie. He has the lightest touch and is surrounded by a solid cast. As said elsewhere, there is a Hans Christian Anderson feel to this tale as it pulls on different emotions during its development and uses time and place to transport us to this new world.. I didn't know what to expect with this film but got something that was clever and funny and at times very thoughtful. Holm is at the centre of the many good aspects in a film that is also broader than that. See more Alec B @Alec97 Jan 10, 2024 An amusing concept that leans into the apocryphal myths surrounding Napoleon bolstered by a terrific Ian Holm performance. See more Mar 31, 2021 An amusing concept that leans into the apocryphal myths surrounding Napoleon bolstered by a terrific Ian Holm performance. See more Apr 2, 2012 A slight reimagining of history, with a superb performance by Ian Holm as both Napoleon living our his days in relative anonymity and his impersonator. See more Mar 12, 2012 A Napoleonic version of Viva Max! See more Aug 10, 2011 Ian Holm's central performance(s) dominate this charming little gem, which suggests that it was Napoleon's double who died in St Helena, whilst Napoleon managed to get back to Paris. See more Read all reviews
The Emperor's New Clothes

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Cast & Crew

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Alan Taylor

Director

Ian Holm

Napoleon Bonaparte

Iben Hjejle

Pumpkin

Tim McInnerny

Dr. Lambert

Tom Watson

Gerard

Nigel Terry

Montholon

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The Emperor's New Clothes

Sir Ian Holm in a duel role as Napoleon Bonepart and the double who takes his place in exile in Alan Taylor's 19th Century fable, THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Alan Taylor (Right) directs Sir Ian Holm in the duel role as Emperor Napoleon Bonepart and the double who takes his place in the 19th Century fable, THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Sir Ian Holm as Emperor Napoleon Bonepart and Iben Hjejle as Pumpkin, a peasant who falls in love with him, in Alan Taylor's 19th Century fable, THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Iben Hjejle (Left) with Alan Taylor on the set of THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Iben Hjejle as Pumpkin, a peasant who falls in love with Napoleon Boneparte in THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Alan Taylor (Right) directs Sir Ian Holm on the set of THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Sir Ian Holm in a duel role as Napoleon Bonepart and the double who takes his place in THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. A group of Parisian children mock Emperor Napoleon Boneparte, played by Sir Ian Holm, in Alan Taylor's 19th Century fable, THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. Iben Hjejle as Pumpkin, a peasant who falls in love with Emperor Napoleon Boneparte, in Alan Taylor's 19th Century fable, THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis History records that when the great Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated at Waterloo he lost his power, his country and his freedom. Exiled to the island of St. Helena, he purportedly died a broken man. Yet history has been known to be wrong. Now comes a decidedly different version of events, an original tale about Napoleon's last great adventure -- and the adventures of the lowly imposter who assumed his identity in a grand conspiracy to outwit the world.
Director
Alan Taylor
Producer
Uberto Pasolini
Screenwriter
Simon Leys, Kevin Molony, Alan Taylor, Herbie Wave
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Mikado Films, Redwave Films
Rating
PG (Brief Language)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 14, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 12, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$569.4K
Runtime
1h 46m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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