Mata Hari

I almost finished the Mata Hari series, which I really liked, the costumes were great, and they were at the same time as music.

Definitely entertaining, but certainly not true to history. I understand taking "poetic" license, and embellishing a mix of fiction based on fact, but they really stretched for this one. This is the kind of production that spurs me into deeper research and finding the truth of the story. I found the use of the National Emblem March in episode 8's military parade to be amusing. I hardly think and French would use a march composed by the US Air Force for the United States in their parades. Somebody didn't do their homework, but then, who knows. Nonetheless, it is entertaining and the costumes are excellent.

I've been watching very good Russian series on TubiTV, but "Mata Hari" was so disappointing. I've just watched Episode 1, and it was enough. The series is badly written and the acting is so poor. It follows "by the book" all the politically correct clichés of today's productions, where every man is wicked and violent and she, as a woman, is always a victim of circumstances. Deep as a paper foil. Good for Netflix "modern audiences", but not for anyone who is looking for an interesting story about this controversial character. Mata Hari deserved much more.

I gave the series 3 stars only for the production design, nothing else. If you are looking for good Russian series, try "The Golden Horde", "Spies" and the light-hearted "Anna Detective".

I chose 5 out of 10 stars because while it does lack some obvious skills that actors need, it's still built around the story of a real life person. So imperfections cast aside, I think she's remarkable. A fight to get her child back. An abusive ex husband who really needs to get what he deserves. But her desire to make a stable home for her and her daughter is what is inspiring. The love that radiates from that persistence she has. I am only one episode into the series and I will not spoil anything further as I continue to watch it. Rather than merely looking at the flaws of the acting and etc. Look at the true story behind it. There is no flaw in a true story.

Dull, dragged out and unconvincing. These are the ingredients of Mata Hari. I think her life deserved a more uptempo passionate treatment. Maybe a two hour movie with better actors and writers had served her legacy better.