Waterloo Movie Part 5

Excellent film depicting the final moments of Napoleon's Career - his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo
An all-star cast of great actors, including Rod Steiger as Napoleon, Christopher plummer as Wellington, Dan O'Herlihy as Marshall Ney, and Orson Welles as King Louis

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Battle
• of
• Waterloo
• Napoleon
• Wellington

[ottoramsaig]

I know its only a movie, but did Wellington really think so low of his troops?

[CaptainHollister]

@ottoramsaig I'm no historian, but I believe he referred to them as "scum of the earth", but also "what fine fellows he made of them". I think he was referring to his soldiers backgrounds, where they had come from, that they were from scum backgrounds, but that they had changed into fine fellows. Just my humble opinion, I may be wrong :)

[crepinadrien]

@THthefirst no no he's right! Napoleon DID defeat Hitler at Waterloo! with the very kind support of Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Jedi fellows! ^^

[MaRcOsBeauGosse]

@ThePlaceCannel i  know i am 22 it's true

[ThePlaceCannel]

Back when people had to actually learn how to dance, not whatever kids these days do....

[ThePlaceCannel]

@CaptainHollister Hmm yes i would Agree.

[JPH1138]

The battle where they broke to plunder was VERY understandable, though - it wasn't just the payroll train, but the carriages of, IIRC, King Joseph Bonaparte and his entourage that overturned in their haste to escape. I heard a figure quoted on the amount of treasure, and though I've forgotten it, it was millions of pounds. MILLIONS. To guys who went months without pay and had to cover the cost of their uniforms and boot blacking..

[MrReded69]

@ottoramsaig They use some of Wellington's quotes out of context.Wellington was realistic about his men especially of how quickly they could lose discipline in the face of temptation(he also felt the same way about his officers).The scum of the earth description was voiced in disgust after the battle of Vittoria(the last battle of the Peninsula campaign when he too many British troops(and their officers)took part in looting the French payroll train and let the French escape.

[mikelheron20]

@AceinIN He put slightly differently but you're almost correct : "I don't know what effect these men will have upon the enemy, but, by God, they frighten me."

[j3parrots]

@ottoramsaig He greatly disapproved of their looting, raping, pillaging which most soldiers of any army would do after taking a town, also he abhored any lack in discipline but on many occations commented on their bravery and trusted that they wouldnt run away in battle

[AceinIN]

The other famous quote of Wellington was said after he had reviewed his troops. Talking about them he said, "I don't know if they will scare him but by God they scare me!"

[nutyyyy]

@ottoramsaig They had also allowed the enemy to escape several times due to them being to busy looting to advance.