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Reviews
Marie Antoinette (2022)
Lost chance
That was so unbelievably bad, I have no words to describe it. I cannot believe anybody serious gave it more than 4*. Inexplicably dull with no action at all, oh, forgive me, the mummy has to give birth to a baby, but the daddy does not want mum. That is all. ALL for a true historical drama that could have been a gem. But it is not. TV series are not documentaries. So what for to make a boring tale about a character that is named after a historical character and is set up in historical locations? Such great idea destroyed in loads of nothing . Original scenery and beautiful costumes does not fill the gap OR RATHER THE ABBYS where anything shall happen. ANYTHING. There is no plot, no action, no mentions of historical circumstances. Just a fairy tale in original interiors , and everybody clad in lovely costumes. The French have everything to make this story great.: original existing locations, multitude of artifacts at your hand and ready to copy, the great historical characters and the story from historical point of view dramatic enough to make a dramatic bombastic historical drama. Instead we got a badly cast and ridiculously played some sitcom soap opera with plot good enough to follow by kindergarten kids. BTW, I do not believe in all that "the series has such potential" reviews. The idea had a potential. The effect failed completely. And this is exactly what infuriates me to highest point.
Barbarians (2020)
Excellent depiction of life on Roman borders in 1 CE.
Excellent depiction of the life on the Roman borders, the territories known in historical sources, as "HIC SUNT LEONES" . The second season was much much better than season 1 and absolutely captivating! This is one of the best historical dramas, I have ever seen. The details, costumes and historical accuracy, the depiction of Roman legionaries are done on the level we have never seen before. The life in Germanic tribal villages may be probably much based on imaginary visions. Let's face the truth, Tacitus and Caesar did not cover every human activity in the few pages , they wrote about the Germanic peoples i 1BC/1CE. The realism can be only compared only to the Rome series which is above any comparisons as so far. I'm waiting for season 3 and the next.
Leonardo (2021)
Total disappointment.
2 stars only for authentic interiors and gardens of Tivoli that are supposed to play Milan at the dawn of Renaissance. It is more fantasy story tan sci-fi "Da Vinci Demons". Despite a truly fantastic story of the authentic person being a unique inventor and artist (that could be shown) we are forced to follow invented budoir story with fictional characters and the plot out of some tv romance. Ok, it is tv. Historical figures and the hard life of the unwanted hyper talented child are left in a background while we focus on the intrigue of some fictional courtesan that lives on the street but is already dressed like a queen. Ok, enough. Unfortunately, Aidan Quinn is not enough.
No Man's Land (2020)
Surprising!
Instead of review I will ask: What about the next season? PLEEEEASE.
The Spanish Princess (2019)
Good entertainment if you are not obsessed with historical accuracy.
As a fan of historical dramas I am aware, how infuriating can be for someone who is very well familliar with a certain period to watch the history depicted with a gross inaccuracies. However, hopefully, I must admit, I am quite ingnorant as far as pre elizabethan era. For me everything looks very good, especially considering the wonderfully evil Margarert Beaufort, as she was portrayed in all books by Philippa Gregory. I agree, it looks like a teen drama, but who shall we expect onscreen, if we think about the times when 12 years old used to bear children? I am not sure if the Moorish guards could gain as high position, but the court lady of the princess is as far as know, is depicted accurately. I agree however, that The White Queen and the White Princess, had much more vibe.
The Last Legion (2007)
Beautiful story, great book,great entertainment.
I cannot agree with the negative reviews. Probably all the users has never read the book. The "exotic" cast is the most misanderstood part of the movie and I must say, it is not explained good enough, especially the part of "Mira". In the book she is called Livia and is one of the survivors in her land, so why she is forced to fight. The story is first of all about the fall of Rome and not about Arthurian legends. However the second thread is nicely introduced in. Only 9 points just for changing the character of Livia .
The Last Kingdom (2015)
One of my most favourite historical shows! More seasons, PLEAAASE!
I can't wait for the season 4. The casting is superb. I have probably never seen anyone of the actors but they are all great, from the leads to the smallest roles. Nice, they cast the actors from all over Europe to show Northern peoeples. The ascetic atmosphere, visual accuracy, the depiction of the medieval England is absolutely fantastic. This is my best "Viking" show ever. I am not sure how far it is historically accurate, but as far as Uthred was not mentioned in Alfre'd story... I take it all. The characters are so deep and well written and contrary to any other shows, the actors "age" with time going, which is quite surprising. Wonderful.
Roman Empire (2016)
Unbearably, impossibly bad.
I gave 1 point and this is already too much. Comparing to this SOMETHING Spartacus series was a documentary. This is so unspeakably inaccurate, that I have no words to tell how much. This is simply offensive for people who have some basic knowledge about Roman Civilization. I refer only to Julius Caesar part. "Lorica segmentata" - the cuirass made of steel plaques - in republican times? Brutus wearing "bulla"- the chain with chilhood medalion when Caesar was appointed the consul? He was already 30 years old! A consul appointed by the senate??? Consuls were chosen by the peoples' "general meeting". I will not mention Egyptian Cleopatra. S***** . The Xena series was more accurate and at least funny. I am disgusted and fed up by the way, the producers treat the audience . This is A SCANDAL!!!
La peste (2018)
The greatest discovery on tv in the last months.
Dark, dense, painfully realistic. If you know Seville a little bit, it will be , like a time travel. Anyway, you may expect a time travel and not for too sensitive watchers. It is the most expensive Spanish series and watching the accuracy in depicting the XVI century city, you realize , the money are not waste. Do not expect lavish, sweet renaissance decorations saw in BBC Borgias or Tudors. On the contrary, you may appreciate the picturesque depiction of deepest poverty, cruelty, city slums and social constitution in the post medieval city struck by the plague. From visual point of view it is impeccable. The careful watchers will find the real interiors of the Sevillian Casa de Pilates and Palacio Lebrija. The view from the riverside , La Giralda, and The Cathedral are simply real, may be with some extra touch of graphic artists. The other Spanish cities and monuments were also included. Actors are great, very well cast (my oppinion), and convincing. As far as writing, it is a surprising crime drama. Pleasure to watch. I am wating for the next season.
Britannia (2017)
Very picturesque and visual, great make up, costumes and locations.
Being very surprised by the overhelming negative oppinions, I decided to supply a few words. The series focuses on less known part of history and undecovers unexpected aspects of Roman life. Never mentioned, it makes efforts to depict the life of peoples, that will never ever get chance to be fully known and perished before the civilized world even heard of them.
Yes, some facts were changed. When the invasion on Britain took place more troops really revolted as they didn't wanted to go and perish in end of the world. Probably their armour looked a little bit different and I give my head, that every single legionary was properly shaven, not only on face , due to hygenic standards and health reasons.
And there was not "Kairo" from the Plautus's story, the place was called Memphis.
Do we posses enough contemporary information on British Celtic tribes to claim, that their representation in the series is not accurate? Anything accurate we know about the Celts, comes from Caesar's Gallic Wars which applies to Gaul (France). Ridicule make up or clothes? Were Vikings any better? The world of Druids is interestingly depicted and something new on tv. The image of the tribes reminds those in The Last Kingdom.
The questionable cast as far as Roman legionaries? It is well known historical fact that Caligula's Pretorian guards (ceasar's bodyguards ) consisted fully of Germanic warriors. But as they looked pretty like Romans, anybody never complained in "I, Claudius" series. Years before, at the times of Caesar there were African origin centurions who even were promoted to the senate (Caius Fuficius Fango) and later governed African province. Britannia was conquered with the help of 20000 Auxiliares, troops consisting of foriegn legionaries, something like Roman Legion d'Honneur. All of them came from outside of Rome. On the ather hand, before 4 BC any slave could be liberated at any age. The children of liberi held practically full Roman citizenship and could serve in regular Roman legions, not only Auiliares.
I am not sure how much the chosen locations reflect the British forests at the times of invasion but the places shown are something refreshing on tv. May be someone would find it interesting that these places are known as Bohemian Switzerland and Sudety mountains. Generally, the region where the borders of Germany, Poland and Czech meet.
The beginning looks fascinating. The producers of the series certainly try to meet younger audience expectations and create the world full of magic and ghosts.
Why not?
What a great possibility to depict the clash of two worlds! The world of brutal power and hard men clad in steel versus colorful, beautiful and innocent world of ancestral beliefs, the inner power coming from deep mind, unconsciousness and inmaterial world. At the same time creators avoid the naive and simple division, bad agressors vs good tribes. Both worlds are equally brutal and fascinating, both appealing and appalling.
At the end we have a certain "girl without a name" here . For history lovers her identity may be however more clear and we may expect a great developpment of her story.
Worth watching. I can't wait for the next season.
Empire (2005)
Avoid at any cost! This is a crime committed on history and viewers' intelligence.
I give one point ONLY because of Vincent Reagan who is is carrying this something on his back. He is also the one and only reason to spend the time ( I really refain myself hard from saying "to waste") watching this. Total and complete neglect of the basic historical facts. Zero accuracy considering relibility, facts, scenery. Pure nonsens followed by historical absurd and lies.
The number of inconsistencies is so large that it would be an essay to write about. For historians and classicists a perfect way to pump your blood up.
The Collection (2016)
A completely unexpected discovery - I cannot wait for the next season!
What a totally captivating show! I nearly missed it, as it is aired in my country without any promotion, trailers or advertising at non prime time hours. A complete surprise and extraordinary plot. The characters depicted with great attention and without any psychological flows,locations and costumes made with great accuracy and attention to historical details. Suspense, mysteries from the past and conspiracy not only in beautiful costumes. Yes, and Tom Reily, again as an artist heart breaker. A completely unexpected discovery.