In Search of Josephine

Josephine de Beauharnais, the love of Napoleon's life (who became his empress, although the couple later divorced), is treated as a national heroine in this two-part French TV documentary (with overlaid English narration), which combines dramatic re-creations, observations from biographers and scholars, nicely chosen artwork, and location footage. In Search of Josephine is an unreserved panegyric to a woman who both enjoyed considerable fame and endured many setbacks. As a girl in Martinique, Josephine survived a massive hurricane and then traveled to France for an arranged marriage to a philandering nobleman. Her husband was also involved in revolutionary activity, which brought him some admiration before eventually landing him—and Josephine—in prison to await the guillotine. Josephine and her children survived the ordeal, however, and she soon found herself romantically involved with Napoleon, whose Corsican family treated her with contempt. Napoleon was so enamored with Josephine that she accompanied him on his Italian campaigns, after which she returned to Paris and used her charm to help pave the way for his rise to power. Even after their divorce in 1809, Napoleon treated Josephine well—he permitted her to retain the title of empress, and her children by her first marriage benefited from his patronage. Marked more by enthusiasm than scholarly depth, In Search of Josephine nevertheless serves as a pleasant introduction to a woman often known only by her name. DVD extras include a pair of bonus featurettes. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)