I don't understand why such a low rating.The only drawback of the series is the regular references to religion.Everything else, action, history, actors's play at a decent level.
2 Reviews
Good series
olimpium-660-202315 January 2020
The difficult search for Prince Alexander or the feats of arms of good fellows
lyubitelfilmov16 May 2022
Historical-adventure thriller. This series was very often advertised on REN TV, and the reviews about it were mostly good, and since I was interested in historical topics, namely the times of the thirteenth century, I decided to look at this creation - and I definitely did not expect this, because the creators of the slurry wrapped on a rotten stick were able to create a real candy which it is not a sin to advise all the inhabitants of our vast country as an excellent example of patriotic cinema. And here is my brief opinion for you - the feats of arms of good fellows. Of course, there were both pros and cons in the series, which I will definitely tell you about, and with this I finish such an enthusiastic introduction and get to the point.
So, the absolute advantages: 1. The scenario is 1234. The Novgorod Republic. There is unrest in the capital of merchants: Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich is ill and cannot rule the city, boyars and merchants are fighting among themselves, and neighbors - a strong and powerful Catholic Order of Swordsmen dreams of subjugating these lands to themselves and converting all residents to the Latin faith, it is dangerous on the roads, gangs of robbers scurry everywhere. The situation can only be saved by the arrival in Novgorod of the young Prince Alexander Yaroslavovich (the future Nevsky). To do this, Bishop Spiridon of Novgorod equips an experienced squad to search for it, and we will observe its feats of arms throughout all eight episodes. And in turn, there will be four whole stories, and the creators have allocated two series for each. Our brave warriors will have to fight with robbers, knights, pagans and even traitors from among the Novgorodians. The enemies will test our heroes in every possible way, and they won't even have a free minute. It seems that one attack left - and the next second a new one arrived. Each episode is interesting and ends in such a way that you definitely want to watch the next one. Even a romantic line looks appropriate and good. All the characters are bright and interesting, there is even a local analogue of Jack Sparrow. At the same time, our vigilantes are not shown as such Supermen, because they can be deceived, poisoned, they get injured and so on. They are shown by people for whom you sincerely worry and wish them victory over all enemies. Of course, the writers got carried away in places, but in general the story turned out to be interesting and exciting. Yes, and there are enough shoals, but the overall impression is rather good. Maybe it's not the pinnacle of screenwriting skill, but a high-quality four is for sure!
2. Battles, fights - this is what this series was conceived for and for what it is worth watching without fail. If the series begins with a strong and spectacular battle between the squad and the robbers, then it would be silly to expect a dull melodrama from the series. Battles and fights happen very often here - and this is the real skill of everyone who took part in it, because everything is done just perfectly. Weapons, armor, tactics, the movement of actors and spectacular slowdowns (for once in modern Russian cinema, this is appropriate). The viewer literally feels the moment of collision of the weapon with the enemy's armor, and even the death of the foes looks authentic. Of course, they could have brought even more blood, but it looks good as it is. Although it is at these moments that the main drawback is visible - the budget of the series.
3. The actors - vigilantes are all strong, big and hardy warriors, the very sight of which already inspires awe and terror among enemies. It was precisely such actors who were supposed to play Yevpaty Kolovrat in the film "The Legend of Kolovrat", and not the squishy Ilya Malakov. And as for the rest, each actor is really in his place and looks extremely convincing in the frame. That's why you can't also select people for the rest of the pictures or series? A rhetorical question, just a rhetorical one.
4. Atmosphere - surprisingly, the creators of this series managed to plunge the viewer into the first half of the thirteenth century thanks to costumes and scenery (more on them later), good music and an interesting scenario with real historical figures of that time. Of course, it turned out not so perfect, but it clearly deserves a good four.
5. Humor - there is not much of it, but it fits perfectly into the script, and does not look like an alien element.
But now I'm going to swear a lot.
So, the cons: 1. Scenery - instead of Novgorod, the city of military exploits Pskov was filmed, namely the Pskov Kremlin and the region itself was used as a nature. You see, if I hadn't been in Novgorod and Pskov, I wouldn't have noticed all this, but I climbed the Pskov Kremlin up and down and was in a wooden church that was used in several episodes of the series. The creators themselves filmed Pskov for the reason that this city is ideally suited for the scenery of the thirteenth century, since the modern Novgorod Detinets was rebuilt after the latter joined Moscow at the end of the fifteenth century. And the creators had no money for expensive effects and recreating Novgorod from the time of the merchant republic. But damn, when they show us Novgorod in the TV series, and the Trinity Cathedral of Pskov, built at the end of the seventeenth century, flashes in the background, somehow I don't really believe in the reality of what is happening.
2. Historical mistakes - all Russians are baptized in the frame with a triple cross, which was introduced only after the church reform of Patriarch Nikon in the middle of the seventeenth century, and in the thirteenth century they imposed a double cross on themselves. Triznu at the time of the action of the series has not been celebrated for more than a century and a half, because triznu is a pagan funeral, and we then (and now) had Orthodox Christianity. "Veliky Novgorod" - this is how the city began to be called only in 1999 (although I still call this city simply Novgorod). The Slavic pagans did not have a Pestilence God, and the closest analogue to him is Chernobog or Koschei. There could not be Varangians on the land of the Novgorod Republic, and even those who came on a predatory campaign, because their glory ended in the twelfth century, after the adoption of Christianity by the Varangians and so on. I can list these gross mistakes for a long time, but I will not continue. In general, for the sake of persuading the script, historical facts went under the knife, which is sad, but mysticism was brought here, which did not look alien here.
3. Speech - well, at least beat me, well, the inhabitants of the thirteenth century did not speak like modern people with smartphones in their hand. In the dialogues, of course, historical job titles slip through (posadnik, tysyatsky, boyar, prince), but this is not enough. Of all the actors, only the performer of the role of the main vigilante of Godun, Sergei Vorobyov, tries to imitate the Old Russian accent, but all the others are just playing in the modern language, completely forgetting that they are shooting in a historical project, and not in a modern movie, which was mistakenly called "cinema".
4. Some enemies - more precisely, how they look, for example, a band of robbers from the Chud tribe look just like Mongols, even weapons are similar, and the rest are no better. Should I even say how it ruins perception? Only the residents of Novgorod, its nobles, vigilantes and knights of the Order of the Sword look more or less authentic.
5. Budget - it is through, even though the transitions between the scenes of action are stylishly decorated, it is clear that this is the Pskov forest (which I drove through), and it looks like they were filmed only in this one forest. Thank you so much for the fights and battles involving one and a half people, but this cannot hide the budget of this series.
A little about the main characters: 1. Godun performed by Sergei Vorobyov is the voivode (leader) of our military heroes, the most experienced and courageous warrior, on whose decisions not only the lives of the rest of the vigilantes depend, but also the fate of the entire Novgorod Republic. Sergey himself was very suitable for this role, both in addition and in a well-prescribed personality. I can only praise you for that. Bravo!
2. Kurgan performed by Mikhail Bogdanov is a senior vigilante and Godun's de facto deputy, practically not inferior to him in military art. More than once saves the squad in dangerous situations. Mikhail was no less convincing than Sergey. Bravo!
3. Anikey performed by Alexander Erlich is a master of hand-to-hand combat, especially fond of fighting with two axes. A young and cocky vigilante who will meet his true love on this assignment.
There are a lot of heroes, and if I list them all, then the review will be in five parts, so know that it will not be boring.
And the series also teaches patriotism, real patriotism, and not "kvass" (as liberals and sympathizers like to say), love for their Homeland, for the Orthodox faith, for Russian people, whom they try to offend at all times, and only thanks to such heroes as Godun and his squad, Russia stood, stands, and it will stand until the Day of Judgment!
As a result, we have a good historical-adventure series, with a good and exciting script, good music, bright and interesting characters, excellent battle scenes, and great acting.
My rating is 9 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!
So, the absolute advantages: 1. The scenario is 1234. The Novgorod Republic. There is unrest in the capital of merchants: Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich is ill and cannot rule the city, boyars and merchants are fighting among themselves, and neighbors - a strong and powerful Catholic Order of Swordsmen dreams of subjugating these lands to themselves and converting all residents to the Latin faith, it is dangerous on the roads, gangs of robbers scurry everywhere. The situation can only be saved by the arrival in Novgorod of the young Prince Alexander Yaroslavovich (the future Nevsky). To do this, Bishop Spiridon of Novgorod equips an experienced squad to search for it, and we will observe its feats of arms throughout all eight episodes. And in turn, there will be four whole stories, and the creators have allocated two series for each. Our brave warriors will have to fight with robbers, knights, pagans and even traitors from among the Novgorodians. The enemies will test our heroes in every possible way, and they won't even have a free minute. It seems that one attack left - and the next second a new one arrived. Each episode is interesting and ends in such a way that you definitely want to watch the next one. Even a romantic line looks appropriate and good. All the characters are bright and interesting, there is even a local analogue of Jack Sparrow. At the same time, our vigilantes are not shown as such Supermen, because they can be deceived, poisoned, they get injured and so on. They are shown by people for whom you sincerely worry and wish them victory over all enemies. Of course, the writers got carried away in places, but in general the story turned out to be interesting and exciting. Yes, and there are enough shoals, but the overall impression is rather good. Maybe it's not the pinnacle of screenwriting skill, but a high-quality four is for sure!
2. Battles, fights - this is what this series was conceived for and for what it is worth watching without fail. If the series begins with a strong and spectacular battle between the squad and the robbers, then it would be silly to expect a dull melodrama from the series. Battles and fights happen very often here - and this is the real skill of everyone who took part in it, because everything is done just perfectly. Weapons, armor, tactics, the movement of actors and spectacular slowdowns (for once in modern Russian cinema, this is appropriate). The viewer literally feels the moment of collision of the weapon with the enemy's armor, and even the death of the foes looks authentic. Of course, they could have brought even more blood, but it looks good as it is. Although it is at these moments that the main drawback is visible - the budget of the series.
3. The actors - vigilantes are all strong, big and hardy warriors, the very sight of which already inspires awe and terror among enemies. It was precisely such actors who were supposed to play Yevpaty Kolovrat in the film "The Legend of Kolovrat", and not the squishy Ilya Malakov. And as for the rest, each actor is really in his place and looks extremely convincing in the frame. That's why you can't also select people for the rest of the pictures or series? A rhetorical question, just a rhetorical one.
4. Atmosphere - surprisingly, the creators of this series managed to plunge the viewer into the first half of the thirteenth century thanks to costumes and scenery (more on them later), good music and an interesting scenario with real historical figures of that time. Of course, it turned out not so perfect, but it clearly deserves a good four.
5. Humor - there is not much of it, but it fits perfectly into the script, and does not look like an alien element.
But now I'm going to swear a lot.
So, the cons: 1. Scenery - instead of Novgorod, the city of military exploits Pskov was filmed, namely the Pskov Kremlin and the region itself was used as a nature. You see, if I hadn't been in Novgorod and Pskov, I wouldn't have noticed all this, but I climbed the Pskov Kremlin up and down and was in a wooden church that was used in several episodes of the series. The creators themselves filmed Pskov for the reason that this city is ideally suited for the scenery of the thirteenth century, since the modern Novgorod Detinets was rebuilt after the latter joined Moscow at the end of the fifteenth century. And the creators had no money for expensive effects and recreating Novgorod from the time of the merchant republic. But damn, when they show us Novgorod in the TV series, and the Trinity Cathedral of Pskov, built at the end of the seventeenth century, flashes in the background, somehow I don't really believe in the reality of what is happening.
2. Historical mistakes - all Russians are baptized in the frame with a triple cross, which was introduced only after the church reform of Patriarch Nikon in the middle of the seventeenth century, and in the thirteenth century they imposed a double cross on themselves. Triznu at the time of the action of the series has not been celebrated for more than a century and a half, because triznu is a pagan funeral, and we then (and now) had Orthodox Christianity. "Veliky Novgorod" - this is how the city began to be called only in 1999 (although I still call this city simply Novgorod). The Slavic pagans did not have a Pestilence God, and the closest analogue to him is Chernobog or Koschei. There could not be Varangians on the land of the Novgorod Republic, and even those who came on a predatory campaign, because their glory ended in the twelfth century, after the adoption of Christianity by the Varangians and so on. I can list these gross mistakes for a long time, but I will not continue. In general, for the sake of persuading the script, historical facts went under the knife, which is sad, but mysticism was brought here, which did not look alien here.
3. Speech - well, at least beat me, well, the inhabitants of the thirteenth century did not speak like modern people with smartphones in their hand. In the dialogues, of course, historical job titles slip through (posadnik, tysyatsky, boyar, prince), but this is not enough. Of all the actors, only the performer of the role of the main vigilante of Godun, Sergei Vorobyov, tries to imitate the Old Russian accent, but all the others are just playing in the modern language, completely forgetting that they are shooting in a historical project, and not in a modern movie, which was mistakenly called "cinema".
4. Some enemies - more precisely, how they look, for example, a band of robbers from the Chud tribe look just like Mongols, even weapons are similar, and the rest are no better. Should I even say how it ruins perception? Only the residents of Novgorod, its nobles, vigilantes and knights of the Order of the Sword look more or less authentic.
5. Budget - it is through, even though the transitions between the scenes of action are stylishly decorated, it is clear that this is the Pskov forest (which I drove through), and it looks like they were filmed only in this one forest. Thank you so much for the fights and battles involving one and a half people, but this cannot hide the budget of this series.
A little about the main characters: 1. Godun performed by Sergei Vorobyov is the voivode (leader) of our military heroes, the most experienced and courageous warrior, on whose decisions not only the lives of the rest of the vigilantes depend, but also the fate of the entire Novgorod Republic. Sergey himself was very suitable for this role, both in addition and in a well-prescribed personality. I can only praise you for that. Bravo!
2. Kurgan performed by Mikhail Bogdanov is a senior vigilante and Godun's de facto deputy, practically not inferior to him in military art. More than once saves the squad in dangerous situations. Mikhail was no less convincing than Sergey. Bravo!
3. Anikey performed by Alexander Erlich is a master of hand-to-hand combat, especially fond of fighting with two axes. A young and cocky vigilante who will meet his true love on this assignment.
There are a lot of heroes, and if I list them all, then the review will be in five parts, so know that it will not be boring.
And the series also teaches patriotism, real patriotism, and not "kvass" (as liberals and sympathizers like to say), love for their Homeland, for the Orthodox faith, for Russian people, whom they try to offend at all times, and only thanks to such heroes as Godun and his squad, Russia stood, stands, and it will stand until the Day of Judgment!
As a result, we have a good historical-adventure series, with a good and exciting script, good music, bright and interesting characters, excellent battle scenes, and great acting.
My rating is 9 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!
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