Retracing the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks in 1453.Retracing the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks in 1453.Retracing the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks in 1453.
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Simplistic by today's standards, but pretty cool for 1913.
By the way, 'Byzance' is the French term for Byzantium or Constantinople--the old capital of the Byzantine Empire. This film is about an even seldom ever mentioned--though it's one of the most important dates in human history. It's about the fall of this empire in 1453 to Muslims--and the Ottomans wiped out this Christian empire that had lasted about 1200 years. I knew about this because I am a history teacher and love reading about the Eastern Roman Empire (another term for the Byzantines)--but few others would understand the significance of all this.
The film shows events leading to the conquest from both the point of view of the doomed emperor as well as the Ottoman Turks. Some of the scenes are quite impressive--such as the courtyard scenes as these Christians pray for deliverance. However, some scenes are odd just because the costumes seem to be an amalgam of whatever the director found on hand--with some dressed like Vikings (about 200-300 years after they stopped having Vikings), 15th century and even ancient clothing--sort of a hodgepodge of styles.
Overall, despite the film being a bit odd and superficial, I really respected Louis Feuillade's attempt to enlighten the audience with a history lesson. While the facts weren't always right, it was interesting nonetheless (where are the huge cannons that caused the walls of the city to give way leading to the invasion--they aren't even mentioned). Also, it's interesting that all this conquering was done in the film is a rather sanitized way (not making the Ottomans out to be blood-thirsty or evil) and there is no blood--just a scene of a few women being sold into slavery and you know they cut the head off the dead Emperor--but they don't show the act (thank goodness). the film ends with the poor Emperor's head being shown off to Muhammed II and his court!
The film shows events leading to the conquest from both the point of view of the doomed emperor as well as the Ottoman Turks. Some of the scenes are quite impressive--such as the courtyard scenes as these Christians pray for deliverance. However, some scenes are odd just because the costumes seem to be an amalgam of whatever the director found on hand--with some dressed like Vikings (about 200-300 years after they stopped having Vikings), 15th century and even ancient clothing--sort of a hodgepodge of styles.
Overall, despite the film being a bit odd and superficial, I really respected Louis Feuillade's attempt to enlighten the audience with a history lesson. While the facts weren't always right, it was interesting nonetheless (where are the huge cannons that caused the walls of the city to give way leading to the invasion--they aren't even mentioned). Also, it's interesting that all this conquering was done in the film is a rather sanitized way (not making the Ottomans out to be blood-thirsty or evil) and there is no blood--just a scene of a few women being sold into slavery and you know they cut the head off the dead Emperor--but they don't show the act (thank goodness). the film ends with the poor Emperor's head being shown off to Muhammed II and his court!
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- planktonrules
- Apr 3, 2010
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- Агония Византии
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- Runtime30 minutes
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- 1.33 : 1
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