Napoleon Comes Alive Through VR Magic

Related Review: "Colosseum: The Legendary Arena"

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

You've read about him in history books and seen him portrayed in over 200 movies, including Ridley Scott's "Napoleon" featuring Joaquin Phoenix, but you've never known him or his exploits as you do in "Napoleon: The Immersive Saga," now showing at South Florida PBS in Boynton Beach.

Rooted in historical accuracy, Napoleon and his times come alive in a presentation that includes an introductory film, historical artifacts and a 30-minute, 360-degree VR experience that puts you in Paris and on the battlefield at Austerlitz, considered his greatest victory and praised for its tactical brilliance

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Pam prepares to enter the VR experience (NPBL)

​After viewing a film that summarizes key moments in his life, you can learn more in the exhibits, including an opportunity to "chat" with the man himself via AI before entering the VR arena. The arena itself is a big, open room with colorful "Kandinsky-like" graphics painted on grids across the floor.

Here you are issued a VR headset and instructed on how to use it, including what to do if you start to feel dizzy or unsteady. With the headset on, fellow guests appear as white-outlined avatars. To get started, just follow the white footsteps, walk through a door and voila! -- you are in 19th Century France as seen through the eyes and commentary of Napoleon himself.

You'll learn about his triumphs, accomplishments and ultimate downfall through the various chapters in his life. Among the highlights:

-- Observing his generals plotting strategy for the battle at Austerlitz, then watch as cannons fire and soldiers march all around -- and sometimes through -- you, as do the horses when the thunderous cavalry arrives. 

-- The building of the  Vendôme Column, commemorating his victory at Austerlitz. Constructed of bronze plates from 1,200 captured enemy cannons, it erupts from the ground before your eyes to a height of almost 1,000 feet, topped by a statue of Napoleon himself. Hang on as you rise to the top and get a bird eye's view of Paris.

-- Feel the pain of his defeated army on their retreat from Napoleon's disastrous 1812 Russian campaign, and then go along on his final journey across the ocean in exile.

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​During the experience you'll also have an opportunity to interact with certain objects, such as reaching your virtual hand down to spin a globe. It's historically accurate and entertaining at the same time, which begs the question: Why couldn't my history classes be this way?

"Napoleon: The Immersive Saga" is running concurrently with "Colosseum: The Legendary Arena" through Sept. 30 at the at South Florida PBS Studios in Boynton Beach. Tickets and more information at www.southfloridapbs.org/immersive

​Image Courtesy of South Florida PBS

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Slideshow
(Photos: NPBL)