Napoleon epic will start filming in Hungary

Work on a new made-for-TV epic about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte is to begin this August.

The major battle scenes of the four-part film by Gerard Depardieu will be filmed in the Tapolca Basin in Hungary.

Christian Clavier will star as Napoleon, with John Malkovich and Isabella Rossellini also featuring.

Filming work will last from August 27 to October 2.

The two producers Andre Szocs and Depardieu - who also has a minor role - say they want Sophia Loren and Kenneth Branagh for parts as well.

Depardieu says he chose Hungary after good experiences while filming Cyrano in the country.