Based on a character in Joseph Conrad's story, which was inspired by the real Pierre Dupont de l'Étang. The portrayal captures elements of a Napoleonic officer but is ultimately a fictionalized interpretation.

Based on a character in Conrad's story, inspired by the real François Fournier-Sarlovèze. The portrayal reflects the fiery temperament attributed to Fournier but is filtered through Conrad's narrative and the film's script.

A fictional character created for the film to illustrate d'Hubert's personal life and the consequences of the feud.

A fictional character representing d'Hubert's desire for peace and domesticity after the wars.

Based on the real, powerful historical figure Joseph Fouché, Napoleon's Minister of Police. His brief appearance reflects his role in the post-Napoleonic political purges.

Represents the military hierarchy of the time. While likely not based on a specific, single general, the role and function within the army structure are historically plausible.

The film's core premise of a decades-long feud between two officers is directly based on the real historical duel between Dupont and Fournier-Sarlovèze, as fictionalized by Conrad.

The specific incident sparking the feud (delivering an unwelcome order leading to a challenge) mirrors the reported origin of the real-life Dupont-Fournier duel.

The film accurately sets the protracted duel against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, reflecting the lengthy timeframe of the historical feud.

While the real feud involved numerous encounters (~30), the film depicts a smaller, representative selection using various weapons (sabers, epees, pistols). The spirit is true, but the specifics are condensed/composited.

The film accurately shows dueling occurring between officers despite it often being officially prohibited or frowned upon by military command.

Accurately reflects the period's duelling code where challenges were generally only valid between equals in rank, necessitating pauses in the feud as promotions occurred.

The Retreat from Moscow is a real event. The specific encounter and temporary alliance against Cossacks follows Conrad's fictional narrative set within this historical context.

Effectively uses the characters' differing loyalties (Feraud the Bonapartist, d'Hubert the adaptable aristocrat) to reflect the real political turbulence of the Napoleonic and Restoration eras.

This event follows Conrad's narrative, highlighting d'Hubert's character and the irony of the feud within the real political context of the Bourbon Restoration purges.

The resolution of the feud via a pistol duel aligns with accounts of how the real Dupont-Fournier conflict ended, as interpreted by Conrad.

This specific outcome – sparing the opponent's life while ending the feud by denying him the right to issue further challenges – is derived from Conrad's fictional interpretation of the final encounter.

Accurately portrays the powerful, sometimes irrational, code of personal honor that could motivate such extreme and prolonged conflicts among officers in this historical period.

Filmed primarily on location, the settings convincingly evoke the various European landscapes relevant to the Napoleonic campaigns experienced by the characters.

The film is highly regarded for its meticulous research and accurate depiction of French Hussar uniforms, showing variations appropriate to the specific regiments and time periods covered.

Accurately represents the types of swords (cavalry sabers, smallswords/epees) and flintlock duelling pistols characteristic of the Napoleonic era officer class.

Realistically portrays the rituals associated with dueling, including the use of seconds, the formality, and the underlying code of honor that governed such encounters.

Ridley Scott's deliberate use of natural light and compositions mimicking Napoleonic-era paintings contributes significantly to the film's authentic period atmosphere.

Provides authentic glimpses into the conditions of military life for cavalry officers, including time in barracks, on campaign (like the Russian winter), and the general military environment.

Effectively contrasts military settings with civilian environments appropriate to the characters' social standings, such as aristocratic salons and country estates during periods of peace or leave.