Although by modern standards, this is a creaky looking film, stagy and dated throughout, I was left feeling thoroughly impressed by the effort put into it. Sure, it's a typical war film, but it contains all the ingredients needed for a successful historical epic: exciting swordfights inspired by the likes of THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD; some great large scale siege scenes towards the climax, which Peter Jackson MUST have seen before he made LORD OF THE RINGS, and a generally fast-paced narrative throughout.
What most impressed me were the technical details: aside from some rough editing, this is well-directed, well-shot and well told. The actors work hard in their roles and there's a great battle chant, a really driving/stirring piece of music that adds to the atmosphere no end. I'm used to watching low budget TARKAN epics or the endless historical adventures starring Cuneyt Arkin made in the '70s, films which work hard but lack decent budgets. Not so THE CONQUEST OF CONSTANTINOPLE: the budget here looks huge, with hundreds of extras really adding to the authenticity of the massive battle scenes.
There's plenty more to enjoy besides. A dungeon torture set piece has the extended whipping of a tied woman, a near-the-knuckle moment which you'd never see in a Hollywood flick from the period. The bald hero guy proves to be athletic in the fight scenes, when he's jumping all over the scenery. Shooting the movie in real-time ramps up the realism no end. The music, as I've already mentioned, is great, like I've heard nowhere else. The siege scene is one of the best I've ever seen put on film; modern-day fare like KINGDOM OF HEAVEN just can't compete. Watch for the bits where Greek fire is shot into the camera, you'll be wondering just how they did that!
There's some surprising violence, with an arrow storm that sees dozens of guys impaled (some through those classic shot-in-the-neck gags) and one chap on a ladder burning alive after the defenders tip some boiling tar on him. There's also a heroic hold-the-flag moment which doesn't disappoint at the climax. Sure, this film is old and dated, and it's not even in English, but you can tell that the people who made this were really passionate about their movie, and the passion pays off in spades. A great epic.
What most impressed me were the technical details: aside from some rough editing, this is well-directed, well-shot and well told. The actors work hard in their roles and there's a great battle chant, a really driving/stirring piece of music that adds to the atmosphere no end. I'm used to watching low budget TARKAN epics or the endless historical adventures starring Cuneyt Arkin made in the '70s, films which work hard but lack decent budgets. Not so THE CONQUEST OF CONSTANTINOPLE: the budget here looks huge, with hundreds of extras really adding to the authenticity of the massive battle scenes.
There's plenty more to enjoy besides. A dungeon torture set piece has the extended whipping of a tied woman, a near-the-knuckle moment which you'd never see in a Hollywood flick from the period. The bald hero guy proves to be athletic in the fight scenes, when he's jumping all over the scenery. Shooting the movie in real-time ramps up the realism no end. The music, as I've already mentioned, is great, like I've heard nowhere else. The siege scene is one of the best I've ever seen put on film; modern-day fare like KINGDOM OF HEAVEN just can't compete. Watch for the bits where Greek fire is shot into the camera, you'll be wondering just how they did that!
There's some surprising violence, with an arrow storm that sees dozens of guys impaled (some through those classic shot-in-the-neck gags) and one chap on a ladder burning alive after the defenders tip some boiling tar on him. There's also a heroic hold-the-flag moment which doesn't disappoint at the climax. Sure, this film is old and dated, and it's not even in English, but you can tell that the people who made this were really passionate about their movie, and the passion pays off in spades. A great epic.
