Les Guerriers

The newspaper "Adevarul" (the Truth) releases on DVD the "Historical" series of movies made by Sergiu Nicolaescu in the '60s, '70s and '80s. This contains the movies "Dacii" (the dacians), "Mircea", "Mihai Viteazul", "Nemuritorii" (the Imortals), "Capcana mercenarilor" (the mercenaries' trap), "Pentru patrie" (for the country). They are restored from film rolls from the National Film Archive (or national television archive), but quality is limited to VHS resolution. Given the film and audio technology level in 1967 the soundtrack is mono with subtitles in English and french. Colors are restored, but some scratches are visible throughout the movie, given its 41 years of age. Visual or audio effects were no concern for Nicolaescu, since its movies are based on historical facts transcending time and people. Fight scenes are real, using 5000 plus extras synchronized and filmed with multiple cameras, since no more than two takes were possible in one day at that scale. I don't know if the movies will be available outside the country, since are distributed only with the paper. http://www.filmeleadevarul.ro/istorice/category/filme/dacii/

surprising is a strange word for define it.but it is the reasonable one. because, it is part of a political context and it has the art to escape from it. because it gives a clear and almost touching picture of life style, laws and roots of a lost word with admirable historical accuracy. because it has the right actors and the performance of Amza Pellea is real admirable. a film about a clash, between an empire and a kingdom . and the levels of a civilization who escapes from idyllic formulas. "Dacii" remains surprising because it crashes the expectations. it is not exactly a propaganda tool and it is not a demonstration of party vision. maybe, it could be perceived as a good history lesson. in fact, a film about a land and his people.

This is really a very impressive movie, one of my favourites. And what is its major advantage? It's a deep and natural empathy for the ancient past without any need to add some artifical tricks. Music score perfectly matches with all scenes. Landscape views with marching or fighting legions are superb. Unfortunately, at least VHS record is very hard to find and DVD doesn't exist so far. There should be no doubts that this movie, as well as some other similar releases, deserve a better international recognition of fans and connoisseurs.

Unlike many Hollywood movies of the same period (Cleopatra, Ben-Hur, Fall of the Roman Empire, etc) this one is almost perfect in the historical accuracy sence. They used the latest archeological data available at the time (Trajan's column) to show Roman legions in their glory. Cinematography is great. I've heard they used something like 5,000 extras to create battle scenes. Unlike its sequel (Collona), this movie is a masterpiece for everyone who likes cinema and ancient history. I think that if it would be released in the USA it would be nominated for Oscar. Its a shame that this video is hard to find and is not available in major stores.

"The Dacians" (Dacii) follows a very decent plot for a sword-and-sandal genre. Roman legions invade Dacia ready to become "The Masters of the World." But this Roman world is not united, but filled with intrigues and back stabbing among the Emperor and the general. "Sufro," (I suffer it) proclaims the Emperor while hiding his satisfaction. On the Dacian side, patriotism (300 Spartans style) fills their souls. "Why the Dacian smile when they die?" asks the Roman commander.

The photography of the Romanian country side and the Roman Legions on the march is excellent. The soundtrack is superb when the Roman legions are advancing. To add to the spectacle 5,000 extras fill the landscape.

Thanks to a Web site that sells Romanian movies in the NTSC format, I could watch this little jewel again. The follow up ("Column" or "The Trajan Column")seems to be unavailable.