Le Gambit turc

I have to disagree with some of the comments on this movie, judging the movie by some different criteria.

Firstly, the plot line idea of this motion picture is not as irrational as it may appear to some of us. this film was based on a novel that served a purpose to provide its readers a war-romance-conspiracy adventure. It is not very much different from the American "Patriot" story where a greater salad has been composed, with pretty trite issues thrown around. Beside that, to support the illusive reality of the Turkish war presented in this film - we are not very familiar with the general atmosphere during the 19th century wars, but there are things that simply called: War routine. Of course there is blood and gore and death on the front lines of the battles. Surely there is a lot of strategy going on behind the scenes. But even during these climax moments, and mostly in-between those there was always a place for some dramatic drawbacks, singing in the club and even relationships between young Russian soldiers and coffee drinking in Plevna. Wars are not always fought in face to face battles. And a very large part in deciding who wins the fight is the strategy and the information you gather about your enemy. Which was what the story concentrated on. The spies.

Moreover, I did not like the acting. Sometimes it was exaggerated and underplayed in some places. The best acting in this movie on my scale was that of the "Gusar" officer - so typically presenting the character. The leading roles could have been performed better.

And lastly: the sound. What is it with the Russian cinema that I can never get a normal sound feature? They put the theme on top of the dialogues, the battle effects lack intensity, the speech is incomprehensible. When Turkish is spoken, the Russian translation starts after a little delay, which makes it really difficult to hear. They don't mute the environment when it is needed, and the explosion sounds still have the usual echo-shrieking effect. Alas! indeed.

Overall, once the viewer can get himself to connect to the plot, to enter the minds of both the Turkish and the Russian combatants and to merge with the general 19th war atmosphere - it is possible to simply sit back and enjoy this movie as another spy-adventure. Was tempted to give it an 8, but settled on 7.

"Turkish gambit" is the adaptation of the second novel by Boris Akunis in his enormously popular among the Russian speaking audiences series of twelve novels that describe the adventures of a young detective and later, State Councillor, Erast Fandorin. The genre of the novels can be described as historical mysteries set in the Imperial Russia. By the time "Turkish gambit" opens, still very young, Fandorin has gone thru tragic personal loss while investigating a very dangerous global conspiracy (the first novel "Azazel" and the movie of the same title).

"Turkish Gambit" takes place in 1877 during the Russian -Turkish War. After running out from the captivity, Fandorin hurries to the Russian troops to report very important information about the planning attack of enemy. Along the road he meets and becomes acquainted with Barbara, a young girl who travels in a man's clothes to see her fiancé. According to Fandorin's information there is a very dangerous Turkish spy Anvar among the Russian officers who heads a secret operation. Everyone is under Fandorin's suspicion...

Filled with many dynamic action scenes, "Turkish Gambit" is not as elegant and visually interesting as "Azazel" and it lacks the good acting from two young actors playing main characters. I should add that the book itself was not as good as excellent "Azazel" – that's probably why "Turkish Gambit", the movie is rather un-impressive and forgettable entry in the series.

5.5/10

It is rare to see a Russian movie made so tasteful and visually appealing. I agree that some special effects were overdone and unnecessary, taking away from the overall appeal of the film, but I really hope an English version could come out so I can see it with the rest of my family. While other users complain of the historical inaccuracies of this movie I do not think this is something people should dwell on too much. This movie is for someone who enjoys a movie with beautiful scenery and gripping effects (when they are appropriate). This is truly the best Russian movie that I have ever seen.

I am Russian and I just checked this movie out because i heard so much about it. I find this movie OK. It's not a masterpiece. But it's much better than the other Russian blockbuster Night Watch. However, both of these films have something bad in common and it's the immature obsession of excessive cheesy visual effects. When watching these high budget movies you start thinking the filmmakers forget that it's not the visual effects that make movie a good movie. Those parts in the movie, where they show the dark abyss all the time and then this LOTR style map pops up with a wheel falling down - it just doesn't look good, it looks totally tasteless. I mean the producers spent so much resources to make all those costumes and setups, but when you see something like this, it just ruins the whole point. Bad bad taste. Hopefully, in future Russian filmmakers will grow out this unhealthy obsession and start making great and stylish movies.

cool movie; it keeps you in eye contact and bounds to its subject. I do not know how accurate it is historically but the film was more objective than I accepted. I was a bit prejudiced about the film at the beginning but as the movie continued I realized that I am wrong. I felt some exaggeration also.It shows turks as perfect warriors technically and very mysterious killers The figurine turks used in the backgrounds had actually a comic Azerbaijan accent and spoke very unrelated words in fight scenes I think the director used them since they knew Russian

, so it would be more economic. there were many replicas copied from Hollywood film-making also such as focusing camera on objects very fast and too much mise-en scene.But usage of maps as a very dynamic part of film was very original and entertaining. The character Enver Bey who was a spy of Ottoman Pasha have been chosen as a person who looked like a Russian and spoke perfect Russian language but hiding him till the end of the film was not interesting and new enough for such a box office one in Russian Federation but I think it is worth for watching, good film