Rise of Empires: Ottoman (2020-2022)

Pretty interesting. I think many people know that in 1453 Constantinople fell and the Eastern Roman Empire was overthrown. This dramatized docuseries manages to tell the story of Sultan Mehmed and Emperor Constantine XI on the other side. I don't know how historically accurate it all is, but I think they will have stayed pretty close to the truth, as historians give a little extra explanation here and there. These are cultures that are in fact underexposed in our regions. It's great that there's finally been a series about this part of history because it's been a very important battle in history.

Translated from Dutch · View original

When I was a student I had a series of portraits hanging on the wall. Heroes of history such as Jan III Sobieski, Johannes Hunyadi and other European champions and athleta Christi showed off in the living room where they watched visitors sternly. Vlad Tepes, however, I conscientiously kept out of the hall of fame. His brutality was unusual even for the time, but what he was able to do against the Ottomans will always capture the imagination.

Bravo to the creators for telling his story honestly and entertainingly. After the siege of Constantinople in the first season, they again choose to cast a very interesting piece of history in series. The budget was a limitation in some areas, but it is still spectacular enough to be credible. The action is again fun interspersed with the comments of local historians. Vlad is well cast, the other actors just do whatever.

I wonder if they will also film the Siege of Vienna, because that is really long overdue.

Translated from Dutch · View original