Original subtitles

(ominous orchestral music)

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On June 26th, 1813,

Austrian Foreign Minister Klemens von Metternich arrives

in Dresden, the capital of the kingdom of Saxony.

His destination is the Palais Marcolini,

just outside the city.

Napoleon is waiting there.

The French emperor has set up his headquarters

in Dresden during the Armistice.

Napoleon is nervous, his leadership is being challenged.

Warning signs are everywhere.

He and his allies still control Europe,

but he suffered a serious defeat

in Russia a few months earlier.

Battered by freezing temperatures

and the czar's troops, the Grande Armée is worn down.

In Southern Europe, Spain advances

and drives Napoleon's troops out of the country.

Now Prussia and Russia have become allies

to wage war against Napoleon, and the English king,

Napoleon's archenemy, helps fund this alliance.

But where does Austria stand?

Will it remain devoted to Napoleon?

The emperor needs an answer.

(slow orchestral music)

(general speaking in foreign language)

Metternich presents Napoleon an ultimatum.

Either he accepts a peace plan,

or Austria joins the enemies.

The two discuss the situation for more than nine hours,

a duel between Napoleon, the soldier,

the son of the revolution, and Metternich,

the diplomat from a long line of nobility.

(slow orchestral music continues)

The future of the continent is at stake.

Europe's fate will be sealed by the time the day ends.

(slow orchestral music)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

Despite the disaster in Russia,

Napoleon still thinks his military has the upper hand.

He sets up a new army,

launches a counterattack, and triumphs.

He moves to Dresden to attack the Russians again from there,

but he'll need Austria's support for that, and quick.

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

(Johannes speaking in foreign language)

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

Austria and France have been enemies

for a long time.

Austria has been defeated four times by the French emperor,

in Arcole, Marengo, Austerlitz, and Wagram.

Only loyalty to the alliance would be a reason

for Austria to support France now.

Austria is not much of a partner and Napoleon knows that.

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

It takes nine years

until Napoleon rules all of Europe.

The borders of France, claimed by the revolution,

behind the Pyrenees, the Alps,

and the Rhine are extended further.

At that time, the French empire consisted

of 134 governmental ministries,

from Hamburg to Barcelona and from Rome to Amsterdam.

This empire is extended by a number of states

on its borders, all under Napoleon's control.

One area is particularly important, Germany,

also known as the German Confederation,

which Napoleon separated from the two opposing great powers,

Prussia and Austria.

He created this new political entity

immediately after coming to power.

(slow orchestral music)

Nine years earlier, Napoleon is crowed at Notre Dame.

He uses this occasion to announce his plans for Europe,

but especially for Germany.

"I don't succeed Louis XVI, but rather Charles the Great."

Napoleon sees himself as the heir to this emperor,

who ruled both Germany and France around the year 800.

That's why he also travels to the old coronation city

of Aachen, a pretentious move.

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

His plan worked.

In June, 1813, he not only ruled France,

but also large parts of Germany,

much to the annoyance of Emperor Franz and Von Metternich.

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

When Napoleon comes to power,

Europe is ruled by the Holy Roman Empire

of the German nation.

By 1800, it's only an unconsolidated association.

It encompasses the center of Europe

and is a German speaking and cultural region.

The Germany we know today didn't exist yet.

(Emilie speaking in foreign language)

(Ute speaking in foreign language)

This combination of different territories

includes free cities like Frankfurt and Hamburg,

but it also includes regional powers,

like Bavaria and Saxony,

and two powerful adversaries, Prussia and Austria.

This territory was mostly governed

by a Habsburg from Austria for nearly 600 years.

That was obviously the greatest influence

on this German speaking cultural region

in the heart of Europe.

This territory was mostly governed

by Habsburg from Austria for nearly 600 years.

The territories on the left bank of the Rhine are annexed.

(slow orchestral music)

Napoleon, who's not emperor yet,

is definitely involved in this.

(Jacques-Olivier speaking in foreign language)

(slow music)

Napoleon entangled three

particular territories, Baden, Württemberg, and Bavaria.

Their ancestral riches are geographically far apart.

The territorial reorganization of 1803 gave each

of them connecting regions,

which were up to seven times larger.

(dramatic orchestral music)

And more will follow.

The French emperor crushes his enemies at Austerlitz.

Baden, Bavaria, and Württemberg fight alongside him

and they're rewarded for it.

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

At the beginning of 1806,

Napoleon controls all of Southern Germany.

The Holy Roman Empire is only a shadow

of its former self once it's lost important territories.

A few months later,

Napoleon delivers the final blow to the empire.

On July 12th, 1806, 16 German states sign a treaty aligning

themselves with the new ruler of Europe.

They form the Confederation of the Rhine,

the third Germany, alongside Prussia and Austria.

(Johannes speaking in foreign language)

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

By 1808, approximately

20 more states had joined, including Saxony.

The Confederation is now more than a security zone.

The heart of Europe is under Napoleon's control,

but this coalition has a weakness.

The treaty certainly envisions

forming a genuine political unit,

but this political concept is never fulfilled.

There's no common authority, no common laws.

In reality, neither the emperor nor his allies strive

for state unity.

(Johannes speaking in foreign language)

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

(slow music)

Napoleon only had one objective

with the third Germany, to weaken Prussia,

and above all, Austria.

This Austria, which had dominated the continent

for centuries, which he had defeated four times

and ultimately ended its reign.

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(slow orchestral music)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Gunter speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

Napoleon is always feared.

His military power allows him

to control the Confederation of the Rhine as he pleases.

In October, 1806, he defeated the Prussians at Jena,

as well as Austria and Austerlitz.

He uses these victories

to reshape the Confederation of the Rhine once again.

He creates a new state from the ground up, Westphalia.

This state was to serve as a model for the whole of Germany.

(Jacques-Olivier speaking in foreign language)

(Ute speaking in foreign language)

(slow orchestral music)

Jerome, Napoleon's 23-year-old brother,

is king of this new state.

He's given something like an instruction manual.

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Jacques-Olivier speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Jacques-Olivier speaking in foreign language)

(Emilie speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Meneval speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

Westphalia is formed

to be France on German soil,

initially divided into eight sections,

with standardized institutions.

(Jacques-Olivier speaking in foreign language)

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

(slow orchestral music) (bell tolls)

The model state

of Westphalia never becomes the anticipated role model.

Other states in the Confederation of the Rhine

only adopt parts of the Civil Code.

(Jacques-Olivier speaking in foreign language)

(Emilie speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(soldier speaking in foreign language)

(man in red jacket speaking in foreign language)

(soldiers speaking in foreign language)

As of 1806,

35,000 customs soldiers are deployed

at all borders of the empire.

Napoleon wants to stop the import

of English merchandise onto the continent.

(soldiers speaking in foreign language)

This is the beginning

of the continental blockade.

(soldiers speaking in foreign language)

(Emilie speaking in foreign language)

(Ute speaking in foreign language)

Smuggling becomes the national sport

in the part of Germany controlled by Napoleon.

The people there quickly learn

to get around the French emperor's blockade

by any means necessary.

(man in red jacket whistles)

(man in red jacket speaking in foreign language)

(woman speaking in foreign language)

(man in red jacket speaking in foreign language)

(woman speaking in foreign language)

(man in red jacket speaking in foreign language)

(woman speaking in foreign language)

(man in red jacket speaking in foreign language)

(Johannes speaking in foreign language)

(slow orchestral music)

Isolation doesn't only create problems,

it also encourages local manufacturers.

(Ute speaking in foreign language)

But these few positive aspects can't compensate

for the general feeling of a deep injustice.

Because of Napoleon's Europe,

not everyone benefits the same way.

In the French empire, for example, goods circulate freely.

In the allied countries,

which include the Confederation of the Rhine,

the emperor taxes whatever he wants.

Opportunities are certainly not the same.

(Emilie speaking in foreign language)

(Johannes speaking in foreign language)

France first. (speaking in foreign language)

(soldier speaking in foreign language)

The continental blockade is

constantly undermined, so Napoleon increases the controls

and makes the penalties harsher.

If it's not food, he sometimes has merchandise burned

in public places as a warning.

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

(woman speaking in foreign language)

(soldier speaking in foreign language)

On one hand,

the continental blockade is France first.

On the other hand, the injustice

of this economic policy strikes a chord

with the people east of the Rhine.

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

(Johannes speaking in foreign language)

One issue in particular

strained the relationship between Napoleon

and the Confederation of the Rhine,

the German sons that had to be sent to war.

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(ominous orchestral music)

He's a general who ruthlessly sends young men

into battle and to their deaths.

A monster, that's what the once-admired strategist

is now called throughout Europe.

(Emilie speaking in foreign language)

(Ute speaking in foreign language)

(Johannes speaking in foreign language)

Article 38 of the Treaty

of the Confederation of the Rhine stipulates

how many soldiers each member state must transfer

to the Grande Armée.

Bavaria, 30,000 men, Württemberg, 12,000 men, Baden, 8,000.

It amounts to 120,000 Germans in the Napoleonic forces.

At the beginning, the German soldiers don't

just obey orders, some are even enthusiastic.

(Ute speaking in foreign language)

(Johannes speaking in foreign language)

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

(Emilie speaking in foreign language)

(slow orchestral music)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(bell tolls)

French soldiers are everywhere

in Napoleon's Germany.

The Confederation of the Rhine states

constantly encounter his troops.

Even though Napoleon insists that his soldiers behave

in a commendable manner, they're rarely welcome.

People remember one story in particular.

In August, 1806, Johann Philipp Palm is arrested

by the French in Nuremberg.

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

(Johannes speaking in foreign language)

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

(Ute speaking in foreign language)

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

(slow music)

But this execution

has the exact opposite effect.

It brings massive attention to Napoleon's adversaries.

There are fundraising campaigns all over Germany

for Palm's widow and children.

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

The fall of Palm,

dead soldiers, economic policy,

resentment against Napoleon is growing

among the German population.

The philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte accused Napoleon

of abusing the ideals of the revolution

and establishing a tyranny in Germany.

Even more radically, the poet Heinrich von Kleist writes,

"Kill him, the world court requires no justification,"

and some people take his words to heart.

(slow orchestral music)

October 12th, 1809, Schönbrunn Palace.

Napoleon has been here for a few months already.

He's preparing a peace treaty with Austria.

He's dismissing his troops as he does every morning

when General Rapp gives him a disturbing message.

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Frederick speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Frederick speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Frederick speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Frederick speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Frederick speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Frederick speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Frederick speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Jean-Nicolas speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Frederick speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Frederick speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Frederick speaking in foreign language)

(Jean speaking in foreign language)

(Jean-Nicolas speaking in foreign language)

(Frederick speaking in foreign language)

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

(Johannes speaking in foreign language)

(slow orchestral music)

Staps is executed,

but this assassination attempt really bothers Napoleon.

How could a young German want to kill him?

After all, he only wants the best for the German people.

And what will happen to all he's achieved

if one day a maniac should reach his goal?

Napoleon is forced to make a decision

that he's been putting off for years now.

His empress, Josephine de Beauharnais,

hasn't given him children.

This failed assassination attempt reminds Napoleon

that how desperately needs an heir to the throne,

so he divorces her.

(dramatic orchestral music)

Napoleon starts looking for a new empress.

A committee of his brothers and the greatest dignitaries

of the empire will give him advice.

(Emilie speaking in foreign language)

An advisor recommends

the King of Saxony's daughter to strengthen ties

with the Confederation of the Rhine.

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

Only two other options remain,

Princess Anne, sister of the Russian Emperor Alexander,

and Marie Louise, daughter of the Austrian Emperor Franz.

(Michel speaking in foreign language)

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

(Jacques-Olivier speaking in foreign language)

Austria has been suffering terribly

since the defeat at Wagram.

This empire, which dominated Europe for a long time,

is losing influence and power,

and even worse, important parts of its territory.

(Jacques-Olivier speaking in foreign language)

One man in particular was well aware

that this marriage, which would unite the daughter

of the defeated with the conqueror,

would be an opportunity for Austria.

Klemens von Metternich, the distinguished statesman

at the side of Emperor Franz, wants to change the fate

of his country for the better.

(Franz speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Franz speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

(Gunter speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

Three years earlier,

the future empress is expected in France.

Her groom travels to meet her.

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Joachim speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Joachim speaking in foreign language)

Marie Louise arrives from Strasbourg,

accompanied by Caroline Murat, Napoleon's sister.

The bride and groom see each other for the first time.

(Joachim speaking in foreign language)

(Caroline speaking in foreign language)

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

(Gunter speaking in foreign language)

(Marie Louise speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Marie Louise speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Marie Louise speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(slow orchestral music)

Marie Louise seems to be a stroke of luck.

She marries Napoleon a few days after they met in Compiègne.

The connection to Austria is consummated.

(bells tolling) (baby cries)

A year later, the long awaited heir to the throne is born,

a coup that creates an earthquake

in Europe's princely houses.

(Gunter speaking in foreign language)

(slow orchestral music)

Napoleon believes that

because of this alliance,

he's further consolidated his dominance in Europe.

He planned everything, considered all the possibilities,

except there's one thing he doesn't know,

defeat, the beginning of the end.

Then the unthinkable occurs.

This apparently invincible man loses his army,

retreating from Russia.

It had started so well.

Napoleon and his soldiers reached the gates

of Moscow almost unhindered.

But Czar Alexander has the city set on fire

and refuses to negotiate.

Napoleon has no choice, he has to retreat

and helplessly watch how the cold

and reinvigorated Russian troops continue

to wear down the Grande Armée.

(Gunter speaking in foreign language)

This defeat has immediate consequences.

Prussia formed an alliance with Napoleon,

but they now turn against France.

Five other states leave the Confederation of the Rhine

and join Napoleon's enemies.

Rebels in Westphalia threaten

to storm King Jerome's capital.

The Germans revolt.

In a few months, Napoleon assembles a new army

and regains the upper hand

after a successful campaign in Saxony.

He claims two victories against the Prussians at Lutzen

and against the Russians at Bautzen,

but because his calvary is too small,

he can't take advantage of it.

Napoleon accepts a truce and moves to Dresden.

It was June 26th, 1813, and Metternich's time had come.

(Gunter speaking in foreign language)

(Franz speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Franz speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Franz speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Franz speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Wolfram speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Gunter speaking in foreign language)

(Wolfram speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Napoleon speaking in foreign language)

(Klemens speaking in foreign language)

(Gunter speaking in foreign language)

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

(Gunter speaking in foreign language)

(slow music)

A few days later,

Austria officially joins the alliance against Napoleon.

On October 8th,

Bavaria leaves the Confederation of the Rhine

and joins the enemy.

Finally, on October 18th, the Saxon regiments change sides

in the pivotal battle of the nations at Leipzig.

Napoleon's entire confederation breaks apart.

Napoleon crosses the Rhine on November 2nd,

never again to return to Germany.

(Thierry speaking in foreign language)

(Emilie speaking in foreign language)

Five months later,

Napoleon surrenders in Fontainebleau.

The victorious powers meet in Vienna

to create a new European order.

The Confederation of the Rhine is replaced

by the German Confederation.

Prussia and Austria control it,

exactly what Napoleon always tried to prevent.

But traces of Napoleon's actions will remain.

He united smaller territories into large political units,

ended servitude, and introduced religious freedom,

and he helped to awaken a German national consciousness.

(Emilie speaking in foreign language)

(Johannes speaking in foreign language)

(somber orchestral music)

A few years after their conversation

in Dresden, Napoleon characterized Metternich

as the only statesman to have existed

in Europe since the revolution.

Metternich returned to the Marcolini Palace in 1858,

a few months before his death.

He wanted to visit the place

where he faced the emperor one last time.

In his memoirs, he honors Napoleon

as the most amazing man who had ever come into the world.

(slow orchestral music)

(horse whinnies)