TV: NAPOLEON AND LOVE - 1974

1974 saw TP back at Teddington Studios where he had recorded the Callans, but this time he was in silk stockings, britches and brocade for the Napoleonic drama, Napoleon and Love, starring Ian Holm.

In this compelling nine part serial by Philip Mackie, the life and times of the French general are told with his numerous romances as a linking device. TP appears in three episodes as the Vicomte de Barras who facilitates Napoleon’s marriage to Josephine and becomes a key ally until his fall from favour.

From this distance of time, it’s hard to recall that the series producer, Thames, and other commercial stations such as Granada and London Weekend Television were as dedicated to the commissioning of costume period dramas as the BBC, which these days now seems to be sole provider for such fare .

Indeed, Napoleon and Love proved very popular garnering large audiences and rich praise for it’s excellent scripts, adroit production and compelling performances by Ian Holm and Billie Whitelaw.

TP would next work with Ian Holm in Holocaust in 1977 and Billie Whitelaw, the same year, in the stage play Molly by Simon Gray.

Production Stills:

Rarely did TP appear in such a lavish array of silks and velvets as for this production.  Clearly no expense had been spared and it is hard to see a budget like this for a TV drama getting past todays accountants.