11 settembre 1683

Not a complete review, although I think the film was modestly entertaining, it's hard to do a sweeping epic style film on a very modest budget of only $12 MM.

So, my offering is a bit of trivia, an "oops" in the film. About 2/3 through or thereabouts, we see F. Murray Abraham carrying/holding a papal-like silver staff. It has a slightly down-turned cross, with a crucifix of a very thin and stretched out Jesus attached.

The problem, although a beautiful and imaginative design, is that that particular staff was designed by Lello Scorzelli, from Naples Italy, in 1965—just about 300 years later than the time of the historical period!

The Scorzelli Staff has been carried by the last 3 Popes, among other ferula, not counting the other staffs. I just think they chose it for the beauty, but I recognized it immediately, did any of you?

without special effects. without the ingredients of blockbuster. a film about hope and faith and an Europe front to a great danger more than a historical movie. because it is not exactly portrait of an episode from past but a remember. a film about change of a world. reflection about power and about ambition. maybe, the speeches of the characters are not always inspired. maybe, the siege from 1683 must have a most inspired adaptation. but it remains an useful film. as beginning search for the story of one of greatest events from the XVII century. for the discover the last centuries's source for Ottoman Empire. for admire the history not as a story but as a kind of mirror for present. because, the Vienna's siege , like many other great moments from the past, is not exactly one lesson. but a seed for our every day life.

For example reviewer "awab_avril25" writes on July 2013 "Let me give you a few scenes as examples of terrible fictitious history of this film. First, you absolutely can not prostrate to any man or thing on earth except for God." Uhm the written documents on the Ottoman court by visiting Christians, visiting Arab and Iranian Muslims, and Ottoman Turks themselves describe exactly that: Visitors and Ottoman officials, right up to Ambassadors from Muslim and Christian countries, and ottoman subjects up the Ottoman grand Vizers themselves bowing, genuflection and prostrating themselves before the Sultan. It is a stone cold fact attested to in scores of written documents. This film has lots of imperfections, but the portrayal of the core issue is hardly so. The fact is the Ottoman Muslim brutal invasion and occupation of a large part of Christian Europe , virtually the entire Balkans, was genocidal, rapacious and pervasively violent as it had been when they invaded Anatolia itself.

F. Murray Abraham does a great job portraying Marco D'Aviano. His first speech in the movie is magnificent. But also does a great job throughout the movie depicting the faith of a priest in world changing times. Although a Catholic priest, the faith presented is quite ecumenical. This is less an historical drama and more of a reflection on the impact of one man's faith on an event of major impact in history. The only weakness of the film is the low budget CG during the battle scenes, which probably could have been reduced anyway, for the strength of the movie lies in the dialogue and quality acting. Although I am not an historian, I think the ideological representations are quite accurate as well as the challenges and conflicts the leaders faced making decisions to deal with the impending threats of invasion. Truly worth the time to watch and quite memorable.

I know, the movie is bad. All the critics hit the nail. But...This movie is, how do they call them? Indie. this movie is the real "V for Vendetta". This movie did not receive any funding from the state, from the EU, from anyone, because it is not politically correct. It has no lesbian scenes, no incest, no sex among clergypersons, and tackles a topic too many European politicians would better seen buried under the thickest and farthest away carpet.

After "masterpieces" of the like of "Kingdom of Heaven", or that Turkish movie on the siege of Constantinopolis (at least, righteously bashed by everyone), this movie was at least something to root for.

I am still waiting for a decent movie on the siege of Malta, but I know I'll die without seeing it - so be it, one can't have everything in this life.

Why 7 out of 10? That's why: I sympathize with all the Polish reviewers who killed this movie. You deserved a lot, but an awful lot, better. But really, at least this movie's heart is on the right side, and I am giving my 7 to its heart.

Ciao