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It does take liberties with history, but it is a mightily credible film for several reasons. The story is very compelling and while long the film is never boring. The battle sequences are beautifully staged, the production values are rich and the score is wonderfully bombastic. The direction is also strong and the script is intelligent and thought-provoking. Then there is the acting. Rod Steiger is magnificent as Napolean, it is a perfect balance of hot rage and cool calculation and he even manages to upstage the thousands of Soviet soldiers recruited as extras for the battle scenes. Just as good is Christopher Plummer as Duke of Wellington, shown here as quite arrogant and having contempt for lower-class cannon-fodder. In conclusion, a great film, worth seeing for Steiger and Plummer, their performances are so good the whole film is worth watching just for them. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The film version of Waterloo is almost totally historically accurate to the actual events of 1815; the events of that year make for a great story to tell, and it is translated extremely well to film. Even with some dramatization and poetic license thrown in we see what these men were really like and we get to understand what motivated Napoleon to take the course of action that he did. The costumes and sets are very well done, and you almost think you stepped out of a time machine when you see them. The film is a little longer than most, and being familiar with the actual events leading up to the battle helps to understand the film, so this movie may not appeal to everyone. Still, Waterloo is a great film, and while hard to find on video you should watch it if you ever get the chance.

"Waterloo" is a film epic, with epic performances from Rod Steiger as Napoleon, and Christopher Plummer as Lord Wellington. The battle scenes are historic, with tens of thousands of extra's and not a hint of any c.g.i.. The calvary charges in "Waterloo" surpass any battle spectacle I have ever seen. I love "Gettysburg" (1993), however the magnitude of the battle in "Waterloo" makes the charge in "Gettysburg" seem like a minor skirmish. If "Waterloo" has a weakness, it concerns the lack of character development in the supporting cast. Although Rod Steiger and Christopher Plummer are well developed, the rest of the soldiers come across simply as pawns on a chess board. Highly recommended. - MERK