Waterloo
Seen it?1970 | 134 min | History, Drama, War
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
It's still drawing plenty of interest, but just 30% on Rotten Tomatoes and a box office loss held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Zulu or The Count of Monte Cristo, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 14 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1970: an older pace and style.
- Critics were cooler on it than audiences.
After defeating France and imprisoning Napoleon on Elba, ending two decades of war, Europe is shocked to find Napoleon has escaped and has caused the French Army to defect from the King back to him. The best of the British generals, the Duke of Wellington, beat Napolean's best generals in Spain and Portugal, but now must beat Napoleon himself with an Anglo Allied army.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsWeak
30% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$3 million worldwide on a $25 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 200K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Zulu
Saturday SpecialAlso stars Jack Hawkins, in another historical drama.
Lion of the Desert
Sunday Safe BetAlso stars Rod Steiger, in another historical drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
The Count of Monte Cristo Saturday SpecialAnother historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
The Duellists Saturday SpecialAnother war drama, and a Saturday Special.
War Horse
Friday Night FlickAnother historical drama, and a Friday Night Flick.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Sergei Bondarchuk
- Rod SteigerNapoleon Bonaparte
- Christopher PlummerArthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
- Orson WellesLouis XVIII
- Jack HawkinsGeneral Sir Thomas Picton
- Virginia McKennaDuchess of Richmond
- Dan O'HerlihyMarshal Michel Ney
- Rupert DaviesGordon
- Philippe ForquetLa Bedoyere
- Gianni GarkoDrouot
- Ivo GarraniMarshal Soult