The young Napoleon, at 25 a general in the French army, is unemployed. In Marseilles, he woos Désirée Clary, daughter of a rich merchant. But despite her acceptance to his proposal of marriage, her family refuse permission until he has a position and money. He leaves for Paris where, through good fortune and timing, he is put in charge of the defence of the Tuileries. He sucessfully quashes an unprising and is made Commander of the Army of the Interior. He meets Josephine, falls madly in love, and eventually marries her.

n Italy, Napoleon wages a brilliant campaign, while in Paris, his new wife, Josephine is bored. She meets Captain Charles and they become lovers. Napoleon, in Milan, sends for Josephine but she prefers to stay in Paris with Captain Charles. She tells Napoleon she is pregnant when he demands that she join him in Italy. However, the news of Josephine's pregnancy increases Napoleon's desire for a reunion and he is furious at the delay. Josephine, lover and all, makes the trip.

Returning to Paris after his successful Italian campaign, Napoleon leaves almost at once to take command of his army in Egypt. He promises to send for Josephine as soon as it is safe. Josephine continues her affair with Captain Charles until she realises he is only after her money. Napoleon hears of her infidelity and threatens to divorce her.

Emperor Napoleon's lack of a son has made him doubt his own fertility. His scheming sister Caroline provides him with a new mistress, Eleonore, who soon becomes pregnant. But Napoleon worries that the child may not be his as he is not her only lover.

After freeing Warsaw from the Russians, Napoleon falls in love with Marie Walewska, the young wife of an aging Polish count. She spurns him but patriotic leaders persuade her to become Napoleon's mistress to try to influence him to recreate the independent kingdom of Poland.

Certain that Josephine, cannot give him a son and heir, Napoleon considers divorce and re-marriage. Josephinec fights back by spreading the rumour that her husband is impotent. But Marie Walewska, with whom he had an affair in Poland, reveals she is pregnant. Napoleon divorces Josephine and demands the hand of the Austrian Emperor's daughter, Maria Luisa to strengthen his dynasty.

1974

Napoleon marries Marie-Louise, the Austrian Emperor's daughter, by proxy. When his bride arrives in Paris, Napoleon is entranced, and overjoyed when she soon becomes pregnant. But he is faced with an agonising decision when the birth becomes difficult - should he sacrifice his wife or protect his lineage?

Napoleon meets his Waterloo, both personally and militarily. His disastrous Russian campaign results in abdication and exile to Elba. He believes his wife and son will accompany him but they go with the Emperor of Austria to Vienna. Josephine, faithful to the last dies soon after his departure. Almost a year later Napoleon returns to France, and so begins the famous "100 days". Then comes defeat at Waterloo - Napoleon prepares to meet his destiny - permanent exile on the island of St Helena in the Atlantic ocean.