Featuring an illustrious cast headed by Ian Holm, this dramatised account of the life and loves of Napoleon Bonaparte is a much sought-after classic series from Thames Television. Billie Whitelaw stars as Napoloeon's first wife, Josephine, with mistresses Desiree Clary and Marie Walewska played by Karen Dotrice and Catherine Schell. Featuring high calibre actors Ronald Hines, Peter Bowles, Gary Waldhorn and Stephanie Beacham, this complete series features all nine hour-long episodes, originally transmitted in 1974.

At 25, Napoleon is already a general in the French army, although on the unemployed list. In Marseilles he woos Desiree Clary, the daughter of a rich merchant; but her family refuse a marriage until he has position and money. Napoleon leaves for Paris, where he is put in charge of the Tuilleries and is soon made Commander of the Army of the Interior. There, he meets and falls passionately in love with Joséphine Beauharnais...