"Resurrection Ertugrel", No screen actors guild in Turkey.

 THE PRODUCTION OF HISTORIC FILMS CONTINUES IN TURKEY

HUGE DRAW FROM MUSLIMS WORLDWIDE, THERE ARE NOT SO SUBTLE POLITICAL MESSAGES 

I just finished watching the last episode of season 1 of this Turkish produced  film, with Turkish actors and actresses, made in Turkey. Season 1 had 76 episodes, an amazing amount of production in a single season. Most western series contain between 8 and 12 episodes. It seems this series is in its 5th season. It is reported that it has been an outstanding success, particularly from the Muslim communities worldwide.

This is actually a very professional series that chronicles the history, while surely not accurate in details, of the founding of the Ottoman Empire. It is a glimpse of nomadic life in the 13th century middle east. It is quite a extravagant undertaking similar to biblical movies of the 1950's U.S. 

There is actually several villages of nomadic tribes with all the tents, clothing, weapons and implements of the time. Season 1 dealt with dealing with the last of the Crusaders and Knights Templar and relations with Aleppo which is now in Syria. There is a continuous display of betrayal, treason, personal infighting and brings out clearly every human emotion both good and bad. This is coupled with a love story between Ertugrel and a Seljek princess, Halime. Their son, which will materialize later in the series will go on to be the founder of the Ottoman empire.

The actors and actresses in this film are excellent, the story shows the strengths and weakness of all of them and their great deeds and failings. It is excellent portrayal of human emotions and triumphs and disasters. This is on Netflix and while it relies on subtitles, I find it very entertaining and informative of another part of middle east history.

It portrays Islam in a very favorable light and the foundation of the strength of all the heroes of this film, It also does show that some are not true to the tenets of their faith.

The over riding message is that unity is required to prevail over all their enemies, whether within, or from Crusaders, and in season 2 the Mongols. In all instance's there are plants from the enemy in their midst and continuous intrigue and betrayal.

While the heroes of this films exploits are unrealistic because they always come out of the worst situations alive even when fighting against overwhelming odds. Much like our old time westerns and other epic dramas where the white hats always won. There are no sexual displays of any sort, not even with the married, it is confined to holding hands and hugs.

There is plenty of action, plenty of death and destruction, but the graphic details are often blurred. The horse riding scenes are sometimes spectacular with battles and other displays of horse riding skills. It seems that most of the actors and actresses have very sound horse riding skills.

The overriding message is that the Muslim nations need to unite to be able to overcome adversity and attempts from outside to divide and keep them fighting among themselves. A theme that seems to be a fact that transcends other societies and nations as well.