Son osmanli - Der letzte Osmane

Son Osmanli is based on a comic strip (or graphic novel, depending on your view of the genre) and, in general, it is true to its origins. It is full of Hollywood clichés that have become the soul of every swashbuckler since the days of Douglas Fairbanks. Yet, this makes it more endearing as it pretends to be nothing other than a jolly old yarn. It is a Turkish film and the story takes place at a very important juncture in the history of modern Turkey. Turks are sensitive about and proud of their history. The place and importance of Ataturk assumed additional relevance in recent times as the fundamentalist forces compete with fierce secularism that was the great man's legacy. The film pays due respect to that without losing its sense of fun. In all, it is a more realistic depiction of the birth of the Turkish War of Independence that lead to the birth of modern Turkey than the humourless, abhorrent Mel Gibson vehicle, Patriot, was of the American Revolution.

Production values are high, direction is assured and the leads are competently cast. Kenan Imirzalioglu is perfect in the role of the dashing hero in the style of Errol Flynn. Cansu Dere, a classic Turkish beauty defaced by heavy make-up in the earlier scenes, makes an appropriate (if a little wooden) love interest. Other roles are also well handled, although the accents of the Turkish actors playing British officers fluctuate between amusing and absurd.

Each phase of the development is predictable, all the characters are stereotypical and each scene is a reminder of one Hollywood swashbuckler or another. Despite these, the film manages to convey the feeling of what it meant to be an Ottoman and how seemingly tribal, disparate forces connected to create a democratic nation out of the ruins of a fallen Empire.

Above all, the film is a feast for the eye and a lot of fun. It should rate among the best transitions of a comic book to screen.

I have been following Kenan Imirzalioglu (the main character Yandim Ali) for almost 7-8 years. He was too amateur when he started. But in all those years, he improved his skills and he is now one of the best actors in Turkey. It is hard to say the film is totally objective. However, it shouldn't be expected to be objective because the film tells the story of a hero from comic pages. Kenan Imirzalioglu showed a great performance in this film. The actress, Cansu Dere, was a bit insignificant in the movie. There were lots of actions and events during the movie, so she could not show herself well. In addition, the atmosphere of those years was efficiently displayed. Some explosion scenes were overdone, but they were not disturbing. Moreover, soundtracks of the movie are great. I still listen to the soundtracks. The only thing I did not like was the face expression of Ataturk in the movie. He was always looking a bit sad. If this movie tells us a story of a legend, we would like to see an Ataturk with a determined and brave face expression. However, in my opinion, this movie is one of the best Turkish movies ever.

Yes, believe it. Istanbul was occupied by the winners of First World War (WW1) - super powers o that time- on Nov 1918. Even though Turks were the winners of the Gallipoli naval and land battles, They let the enemy ships come Istanbul based on the after-overall-war agreement. The ottoman empire went and Turks are left. The total population was 7-10 million Turks in Anatolia and Istanbul all together. After a serial of wars - the last one being WW1- the population was tired and old, military organization and weapons were demobilized and critical points were captured.

Just 88 years ago ...

This movie is based on the comic book "SON OSMANLI" by Suat YALAZ -and "YANDIM ALI" is the main character of the story. At the years of WWI Yandim Ali (Kenan IMIRZALIOGLU))is a vagrant man who plans to run away from military service and plans to end up at europe for a better and easier life. (Like most of the youngsters today in Turkey! :) But accidentally he meets General Mustafa Kemal and this changes everything. Under the influence of Mustafa Kemal's great charisma he discovers his nationalism and his deep patriotic feelings. And a very challenging also surprising story begins for him and for his lover (Cansu DERE). First of all it's nice to see high budget movies of Turkish comic books. Yes this is a fun movie! But at the same time it's a sad story of two lovers. So emotional and touchy... (Ladies will love this movie!) The movie has a budget of over 3 million USD. Extremely well made and probably "the best historical Turkish movie" ever! A "must see"! -Note that this Turkish movie will be released not only in Turkey & Germany but entire europe for the first time!

I don't have to tell much; "This is just a great movie" Kenan Imirzalioglu was excellent. The guy acting Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was also good. In my opinion Cansu Dere was not the best but she was perfectly fitting her character. Production was great too. As a Turkish lady living out of her own land -i live in Berlin,Germany- i am proud of seeing such a great Turkish movie like this one in Germany. Thanks to the director Mustafa Sevki Dogan, Kenan Imirzalioglu, the producers and all. I hope Son Osmanli, Yandim Ali will have a success at box office too. So that we can see the second Yandim Ali on screens. I recommend everybody to see this movie.