The first episode recounts the story of Napoleon's extraordinary rise from the obscurity of his Corsican childhood to the victories in Italy that made him a hero to the French people and convinced him that he was destined for greatness. The program also tells of his love for Josephine Beauharnais, a woman of extravagant habits and tastes, who did not at first return his passionate affection.

Note: This is part 1 of a series of 4 parts.