Waterloo (1970) Review – A History Lesson on an Epic Scale

For me, Waterloo is a historical drama that deserves to be seen. It's not just a film. It's a history lesson. It teaches us one of the most important parts of history and also one of the most decisive parts of Napoleon's life—how he came back to France, became ruler again, and how it all led to the Battle of Waterloo, where he lost his last and most important battle.

What makes this film truly fascinating is how its battle scenes were made without any special effects. Imagine—this was made in 1970. No CGI. No effects. Everything is real. And that's what makes it so amazing.

My rating? 8 out of 10. Let's break down why.

The Plot: The Rise and Fall of an Emperor

The film covers Napoleon's return from exile on the island of Elba, his march to Paris, and the final confrontation that would seal his fate. After escaping Elba, Napoleon (Rod Steiger) gathers his forces and attempts to reclaim his empire. But the European powers are not willing to let him rise again. They unite against him.

The Duke of Wellington (Christopher Plummer) leads the British and allied forces. The stage is set for the Battle of Waterloo—one of history's most decisive conflicts.

The film is centered not just on the battle itself, but also on the days that led to the campaign known as the Hundred Days. Steiger and Plummer often narrate sections in voice-over, presenting the thoughts of Napoleon and Wellington. The film takes a largely neutral stance and portrays many individual leaders and soldiers on each side, rather than simply focusing on Wellington and Napoleon.

What Makes It Special: Real Soldiers, Real Battles

The film is most famous for its lavish battle scenes. They were shot on-location in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. The filmmakers used 17,000 authentically dressed extras—actual Soviet soldiers—to recreate the battle. These soldiers were drilled for weeks to perform the complex maneuvers of Napoleonic-era warfare.

This remains the largest body of costumed extras in any film. No CGI. No green screens. Just thousands of real people, real horses, real cannons, and real explosions. When you watch the battle scenes, you are watching history recreated with stunning accuracy.

A Historical Note: The film's scale is so impressive that it's often said the real Battle of Waterloo had around 180,000 men. The film used 17,000—a fraction of the actual number, but still an awe-inspiring achievement for cinema. The sheer spectacle of watching thousands of soldiers march, charge, and fall is something modern CGI films cannot replicate.

The Performances: Steiger and Plummer Shine

Rod Steiger as Napoleon Bonaparte: Steiger is very good. He brings intensity and complexity to the role. He captures Napoleon's ambition, his genius, and his ultimate downfall.

Christopher Plummer as the Duke of Wellington: Plummer shines even brighter. His Wellington is calm, calculating, and quietly confident. The contrast between Napoleon's fiery passion and Wellington's cool composure is the heart of the film.

The Supporting Cast: Jack Hawkins as General Sir Thomas Picton, Virginia McKenna as the Duchess of Richmond, Dan O'Herlihy as Marshal Ney, and Orson Welles as Louis XVIII of France all deliver strong performances.

The Ratings: Critics Were Mixed, Audiences Loved It

IMDb: 7.3/10 (from 15,000 users)

Rotten Tomatoes: 27% Critics (from just 11 reviews) / 83% Audience

The critic score is surprisingly low—but it comes from only 11 reviews. That's not enough to be decisive. The audience score is much higher at 83%, showing that viewers appreciate the film's scale and historical value.

Budget & Box Office: $25 million budget. The film was expensive for its time but has become a beloved classic for history buffs and epic film fans.

The Awards

Despite mixed critical reviews, the film won several awards, including:

• BAFTA Awards for Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction
• The 1971 David di Donatello for Best Film (Italy's equivalent of the Oscar)

Final Verdict: An 8/10 Epic Worth Watching

Waterloo is a remarkable film that deserves to be seen. It's a history lesson. It's a visual spectacle. It's a tribute to the thousands of soldiers who fought and died in one of history's most important battles.

The acting is strong. The scale is breathtaking. And the story is one that everyone should know.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Recommendation: If you love historical dramas or epic war films, this is essential viewing. Watch it on the biggest screen you can find—and appreciate that everything you see is real.

Have you seen Waterloo? Did the scale and realism of the battle scenes impress you as much as they impressed me? Let me know in the comments!

And suggest a movie for my next review! I'm in the mood for another historical epic.

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