The Man Of Destiny (1981)

Set in 1796 Italy, the young Napoleon Bonaparte (Simon Callow) is fresh off his victory of the Battle of Lodi. Staying at a small inn, he meets a mysterious woman (Delphine Seyrig) who may be an Austrian spy. Based on the play by George Bernard Shaw (PYGMALION) and directed by Desmond Davis (GIRL WITH GREEN EYES). Filmed for the BBC, this isn't one of Shaw's major plays. There are two minor characters but the focus is on the back and forth dialogue between Napoleon and the lady at the inn. There is no complicated narrative to speak of, it's bantering but when the bantering is by George Bernard Shaw, you know you're most likely going to get some superior dialogue. As Napoleon, Callow is a bit superficial, more posing than acting but Delphine Seyrig is at her most charming and seductive as the possible spy. With David Troughton and Niall Toibin.