‘Rise of Empires: Ottoman’- Fine docudrama about a grand dream

Making a historical docudrama that pleases everybody is impossible. Those with a deep-rooted interest in the docudrama's subject can question historical inaccuracies, leading to controversies and criticism.

If the docudrama is about a period from the distant past, the maker is even more susceptible to critical attacks since he has nothing apart from his conviction to fall back on when he portrays moments about which authentic information isn’t freely available. Filling in the blanks with one’s subjective understanding and interpretation, in other words, can boomerang.

Should Rise of Empires: Ottoman, a Turkish historical docudrama streaming on Netflix, be assessed for its accurate depiction of a momentous event in the 15th century? The first season of the series consists of six parts, with each part having a running time of approximately 45 minutes. It shows the rise of Sultan Mehmed II, the Ottoman ruler commonly known as Mehmed the Conqueror, and the fall of the Eastern Roman capital of Constantinople, the walled city that had repelled many attempts to invade it earlier.

How the period (15th century), the emperor (Mehmed II) and the siege (the fall of Constantinople) have been portrayed can trigger many debates of the academic kind. This reviewer found the series immensely enjoyable since it tells an engaging story, features experts such as author and historian Jason Goodwin and author, teacher and podcast creator Lars Brownworth who analyse the emperor and the siege, is superbly cinematographed and has fine performances by actors in the main roles.

In short, if you wish to watch a series that deals with a turning point in medieval history without contributing to your doctorate on the subject,

Rise of Empires: Ottoman will hold you captive until the last minute.

Expert commentary alternates with a dramatised version of history to take the docudrama forward. A major part of it hinges on Mehmed II, the ambitious, headstrong but intelligent emperor who dreams of conquering the seemingly impregnable Constantinople. Cem Yigit Uzumoglu, who plays Mehmed II, digs into his meaty part. He is, quite easily, the main reason why the series is so engaging.

Some other actors leave a mark with their performances as well. Tommaso Basili is Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last reigning emperor of the Palaiologos dynasty, who must defend the walled city as Mehmed tries to penetrate it with his cannon-led tactics of war. Basili is remarkably restrained as the ruler, who must do what he can to prevent the fall of Constantinople.

Selim Bayraktar is Candarli Halil Pasha, the influential grand vizier who had also served during the reign of Sultan Murad II and didn’t agree with his son Mehmed II's strategy of relentless aggression against Constantinople. The most impressive actor in the supporting cast is Birkan Sokullu as the Genoese captain Giovanni Giustianani, whose small unit of professional soldiers fighting for salaries paid by their Christian recruiters displayed noteworthy defensive skills under his able command.

Those who watch TV series and films based on history will enjoy Rise of Empires: Ottoman for its portrayal of an epic campaign that altered the course of history for a few centuries that followed. If you are one of them, log in to Netflix now.