It deserves recognition that Sergei Bondarchuk made such a strong attempt at recreating aspects of Napoleon's campaign during those hundred days after he escaped from Elba in 1815. Rod Steiger is exceptionally well-suited to the part and commands attention as the mad but brilliant French Emperor who almost conquered Europe, despite facing a powerful coalition—eventually led by his rival, the Duke of Wellington (Christopher Plummer). A great deal of work clearly went into every aspect of this film, from the impressive settings and costumes, including detailed uniforms, and the battle sequences are among the most realistic I've encountered since "Austerlitz" (1960). Steiger brings a distinctive and personal quality to his portrayal of the Emperor; he embodies the megalomania but also offers some insight into what motivated this significant figure—or didn’t. Knowing more about Wellington, as I do being British, I was somewhat let down by Plummer's slightly smug, almost affected depiction of the "Grand Old" Duke. He certainly looked right for the role, but his performance consistently felt overshadowed onscreen—even by Jack Hawkins, Virginia McKenna’s presence, or a piglet squealing. Nevertheless, this is primarily a film about warfare and the action sequences are outstanding. They feel authentic, creating considerable empathy for the soldiers who were essentially treated as nothing more than targets for cannons, bullets, and bayonets as they moved across muddy terrain—and often fell. The story moves along purposefully; there aren't many unnecessary romantic subplots or other frivolous distractions, and once it gains momentum, it’s a powerful depiction of a truly horrific event that history (at least from the perspective of those who prevailed) has managed to soften. It is rather lengthy; some trimming of the introductory sections would be beneficial, but overall Steiger delivers a compelling performance and it's worth seeing as an example of large-scale epic filmmaking before computers began handling background actors, sets, and narrative elements.

Source on TMDB