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St. Helena and Its 'Man of Destiny'

Name: St. Helena and Its 'Man of Destiny'
Released: 1936-07-08
Duration: 8 min

1936

Movie

8 min

English

The remote island of St. Helena, a British possession located in the south Atlantic, is perhaps best known as where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled/imprisoned for the final six years of his life and where he died in 1821. His legacy on the island remains today, despite his body being disinterred and moved back to France in 1840. His home was at Longwood, one area of the island now ceded to the French in respect of its former resident. The island was discovered and named by the Portuguese in 1502. Until the British took over, many other European countries had or wanted possession of the island because of its location along natural trade routes. Jamestown is the island's only port, named after King James. With 4,000 inhabitants, St. Helena is self supporting, growing primarily potatoes and flax. However, its primary economic generator is the sale of the rare St. Helena postage stamp.

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Director: Unknown•Genres: Documentary, History

Plot Summary

This documentary explores the history of St. Helena, a remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean. It focuses on its significance as a place of exile, most notably for Napoleon Bonaparte, referred to as the 'Man of Destiny'. The film likely details Napoleon's final years and the island's role in his downfall.

Critical Reception

As a historical documentary from 1936, specific critical reception data is scarce. Such films were often reviewed within the context of newsreels or educational programming of the era, and detailed reviews comparable to modern standards are not readily available. However, its focus on a significant historical figure suggests it aimed for an informative and educational audience.