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THE MURDER OF NAPOLEON IV

By Dean DRINKEL

EL LUPO FILMS - as PROD

Biography - Development 2020

Who was Napoleon IV and how did he die fighting for the British in the Zulu Wars?

- Year of production
- 2020
- Genres
- Biography, Drama, Historical
- Countries
- UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, BELGIUM
- Languages
- ENGLISH, FRENCH
- Budget
- 3 - 5 M$
- Duration
- 120 mn
- Director(s)
- Dean DRINKEL
- Writer(s)
- Dean DRINKEL
- Synopsis
- Why Do I Want To Tell This Story – Dean M. Drinkel
  
  Following Napoleon’s death in 1821, the Bonapartists prayed they would have another claimant on the French throne one day. Initial hopes were with Napoleon’s son but he died in 1832 of tuberculosis so it was left to Napoleon’s nephew, Charles-Louis, to carry on the name / ambitions of the family.
  
  Charles-Louis was elected as President in 1848 but constitutional rules meant he served only one term – he seized power for himself in 1852, declaring himself Emperor Napoleon III. He ruled until 1870 until his defeat and capture by the Prussians. Napoleon III was exiled to Britain, dying in 1873. For the Bonapartists, their remaining hope was Louis-Napoleon, the Prince Imperial but he died fighting for the British in 1879 bringing to an end any serious ambition of a Bonaparte sitting on the French throne.
  2021 will mark the two hundred year anniversary of Napoleon Bonaparte’s death and understandably the focus will be on him – my aim is to tell the story of a different Napoleon: Napoleon IV (but perhaps be able to ride on the coat-tails of current Bonapartist nostalgia).
  
  As a Francophile and historian, I have been long fascinated with the Imperial family. The fact that following the Prussian defeat Napoleon III, his wife and son were exiled to Britain seems to be a piece of history that is completely forgotten (added to this: the family is also buried in England !).
  
  The story that Louis-Napoleon fought on the British-side during the Zulu Wars probably has Napoleon I spinning in his grave but this is a story that has to be revealed to a larger audience. As there is also a strong whiff of conspiracy surrounding his death (or murder!) which COULD lead all the way up to Queen Victoria is too good to pass up.
  
  I believe that now is EXACTLY the right time to tell this story – not only because of Napoleon’s anniversary – but because of Brexit. At a time when relations are weakening between the UK and the rest of Europe I am extremely keen to build bridges / strength bonds particularly between Britain and France (other than this project I am working on a number of French based stories as well as producing / directing a French feature film script – I have also attended a cross-channel forum regarding future business opportunities between our two countries).
  
  It is probably too much a stretch to call Napoleon IV a ‘hero’ but he did give his life fighting for his adoptive country – the first French prince to do so which is something which a broader audience needs to be informed about (many school children this side of the channel are often taught that Napoleon III was a policeman in London when he was a young man, but never about his son).
  
  When Napoleon IV was killed he was only 23 as was the Bonaparte dream of forever ruling France - but he nor his legacy must not be forgotten – it is time to resurrect him and his story, if only to find out who murdered him…