Bonaparte: The Egyptian Campaign (Bonaparte : La campagne d'Égypte)

Toulon, May, 1798.

40,000 soldiers,

10,000 sailors,

and more than 200 scientists join a ship

with no idea of their destination.

Since the Revolution England and France

have been sworn enemies.

The French government has instructed Napoleon Bonaparte

to invade England.

Given how unlikely this project is to succeed,

Bonaparte prefers to attack England's colonial interests,

the source of the country's fortunes.

Bonaparte takes to the sea,

leading a fleet of 400 ships.

But at all costs,

he must avoid the English,

the masters of the seas,

and Nelson's fearsome fleet in the Mediterranean.

Bonaparte took part in the French Revolution

and enjoyed a dazzling rise to military glory.

At the age of 29 the young general in chief

is launching an ambitious exhibition that will,

if successful,

open the gates to the Orient and make him a rival

to the great conquerors of the past,

Caesar and Alexander,

who he so admires.

The vast convoy advances desperately slowly,

but by chance it manages to avoid the English.

Bonaparte even manages to seize the island of Malta

without any trouble.

You were right, Julwe,

these soldiers are a crafty lot.

- I just hope the voyage won't be too long.

Viliay and Julwe

are both students of the Ecole Polytechnique

where they became friends.

Julwe and Viliay,

who kept a very interesting journal,

are highly representative of this group of young men

who joined the scientific expedition.

- An announcement from General

in Chief Bonaparte.

"Men,

"you are embarking on the conquest of Egypt,

"a country that has had untold influence

"on world civilization

"and trade, Chief Bonaparte."

The land of the Pharaohs

is a dream destination,

and on every ship this news is met with enthusiasm.

The invasion of Egypt

or the possession of Egypt would lead

to the control of the Mediterranean,

which would take that away from the British navy,

but would also lead to an overland attempt

at perhaps British India,

of course where there were French interests

at the same time.

To reach the Indies,

English ships had to sail around Africa.

Bonaparte also has to examine the possibility

of a twin port arrangement,

or even a canal linking the Mediterranean

to the Red Sea,

which would allow French ships to bypass

English trade routes.

- Bonaparte is also instructed to plan for

an enduring French presence in Egypt.

Because if a twin port or a canal was to be created

a stable position in Egypt will be required

in order to use them.

Signed,

"Bonaparte."

Fall out.

Egypt, Julwe,

we're going to Egypt.

To such a country

worthy of admiration and study.

But appointed?

No, are you mad?

When they discover

that Egypt is their destination

these young men aren't thinking about war or conquest,

they are mainly thinking about

what they would discover there

in the Egypt they'd fantasized about.

Egypt is fashionable,

and they also will be able to do their job there

trying to improve people's lives.

- The revolution has only just happened,

the revolution that considered the Pharaohs

to be the source of civilization.

So they aren't just bringing civilization

to the Egyptians,

they'll be taking civilization back to it's very cradle.

It's in this spirit that Bonaparte,

these scholars and these artists,

head for Egypt.

- When the Egyptian coast finally appears

on the horizon after six weeks at sea,

the scholars, suffering great from the bad weather,

are forbidden to disembark.

It's too dangerous.

Only the soldiers are permitted to land.

The swell is so strong that Vice Admiral Berez

recommends that the general in chief delay

disembarkation until the following day.

But Bonaparte rejects this.

He knows that the English are looking for the French fleet

and that there's no time to waste.

The scientists look on in a terror made even worse

by the darkening sky

as a ship transporting some of their instruments

founders on the rocks and sinks.

The task is slow and hazardous,

but nothing will stop Bonaparte and 5,000 men

setting foot on Egyptian soil.

First objective, Alexandria,

the second biggest city in Egypt.

The fort of Alexandria is taken

and thee French soldiers enter a city

that is far less splendid than they had been anticipating.

Having covered the rear by taking Alexandria,

it's now time to march on Cairo,

the biggest city in Egypt.

- However, you, General Dezay,

you will take charge of opening the route

to Cairo and middle Egypt.

If we take Cairo, gentlemen,

Egypt will be ours.

- The best way to do that would seem

to be to follow the Nile

along the Dineta tributary.

- And give the Mamelukes the chance

to organize their defenses?

No.

Speed is of the essence.

You will take this route on foot

which follows the canal that links Alexandria to Cairo.

Through the desert?

If the army does not move at lightning speed

they will perish.

We will never find enough water

for 1,000 thirsty men.

It is the shortest route.

You leave tomorrow, Dezay.

- The expedition is divided in two

while the majority of the scholars and artists

head for Rosetta,

most of the army heads into the desert.

The soldiers are prepared to fight,

but not for what they must now face.

Each step is dragged through burning sand

and the air is stifling in the lungs.

Dressed in wool in the oppressive heat,

the soldiers don't even have water bottles,

and only sheer will drives them on.

But these men would never disobey an order from Bonaparte,

however impetuous it may seem.

Far from the army's suffering,

in Rosetta the scholars and artists have found

refuge in a lush environment

where there's plenty of food and water.

Away from the fighting,

they're left to their own devices,

as Bonaparte has other more pressing matters to attend to.

The scholars and artists explore their surroundings

with no military escort,

looking for anything novel,

whatever the subject.

I am so glad to leave

the ugliness of Alexandria behind

for the charm of Rosetta and it's surroundings.

Ah, what better gift could we give ourselves?

- You're absolutely right, Deneye.

It's simply marvelous,

it's like heaven on earth.

I don't know where to look,

there are so many exotic species to discover.

Fish,

lemurs,

the birds.

Their first discovery after

the disappointment of Alexandria

is in the region around Rosetta.

Donon discovers the Fist of Isis

and the scholars all go wild about it.

- The scholars and artists are fascinated

by everything they see

and everything they discover.

They are curious men there to decipher Egypt.