Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Michiel Huisman | ... | Ismail | |
Hera Hilmar | ... | Lillie | |
Josh Hartnett | ... | Jude | |
Ben Kingsley | ... | Woodruff | |
Haluk Bilginer | ... | Khalil Bey | |
Affif Ben Badra | ... | Christapor | |
Paul Barrett | ... | Mr. Rowe | |
Jessica Turner | ... | Mrs. Rowe | |
Peter Hosking | ... | Mr. Clemson | |
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Selçuk Yöntem | ... | Melih Pasha |
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Eliska Slansky | ... | Aghavni |
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Hasan Say | ... | Ahmet |
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Deniz Kilic Flak | ... | Zoya |
Aysen Sümercan | ... | Aghavni's Grandmother | |
Murat Seven | ... | Leader |
A strong-willed young woman, who, frustrated by on-going injustice at home, leaves the U.S. after meeting Jude, an American doctor who runs a remote medical mission within the Ottoman Empire. A world both exotic and dangerous, and on the brink of what is about to become World War I. There, she finds her loyalty to Jude and the mission's founder tested when she falls in love with their perceived enemy, a Lieutenant in the Ottoman Imperial Army. Now, with invading army forces at their doorstep, and the world about to plunge into all-out war, she must make a decision if she wants to be what other people want her to be, or to be herself.
In 1914, in Philadelphia, the wealthy and idealistic nurse Lillie Rowe (Hera Hilmar) learns in a lecture by Dr. Jude (Josh Hartnett) that there is an American medical mission founded by Dr. Garrett Woodruff (Ben Kingsley) in the countryside of the Ottoman Empire that needs donation. She decides to donate and deliver herself the truck that belonged to her deceased brother and medical supplies using her heritage. On the arrival, she stumbles upon the Ottoman Lieutenant Ismail Veli (Michiel Huisman) that helps her to visit a mosque. Lillie is forced by the government to be escorted by Lieutenant Ismail to drive to the mission and he is assigned to spy the local Armenians. Lillie works in the hospital and falls in love with Ismail while Jude suffers from unrequited love. Meanwhile the World War I begins and the mission is in the middle of the Ottoman Empire where the Russians are coming.
"The Ottoman Lieutenant" is a beautiful romance with a triangle of love in World War I. The cinematography is impressive; the direction is excellent; and the cast has great performances. The story could have used a less polemic and unpleasant background instead of the Armenian Genocide. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Amor em Tempos de Guerra" ("Love in Times of War")