Change Your Image
hampus_sabel
Reviews
Sluga Gosudarev (2007)
Good movie, but too much historical incorrectness.
This is one of few films that portraits on of Europe's most interesting periods. It's a good movie, but unfortunately it's full of errors regarding the battle itself.
First of all, Swedish forces numbered between 19.000 and 22.000 men, the Russian army consisted of between 44.000 and 53.000 men. In the movie, both sides look equally strong.
Secondly, Swedish forces never stopped to open fire before their enemies. They would advance through enemy fire until at a range of approximately thirty yards before firing. They would then attack with cold steel immediately.
Thirdly, the Swedish surrender didn't take place until the day after the battle. King Charles had left the army to seek assistance from the Ottomans and the second in command made the call. He was branded a traitor. At this time, the Swedish cavalry, absent from the battle, had joined the main army. The army now had access to their artillery, which they didn't have on the day of the battle, since Charles XII wanted a surprise attack.
But if you take away the rather big errors in history, this is quite an entertaining film, which is why it gets a five.