Nick B.
With all due respect for the effort and money put into this project:I really wish that I could love or at least like this series. If for no other reason, then because its the most expensive series ever made in Denmark, and payed for by the danish taxpayers.However for a number of reasons then this is impossible, as it falls short in several key areas. First and foremost then the characters seems as one-dimensional caricatures, and more specifically, then all those not portraying Mr. Bornedals political standpoint are portrayed as evil, unintelligent and/or mad men.To me they seem without depth and unbelievable - even if I didn't know the real story. I don't know if its the script, direction or actors - but some of the scenes seem unintentionally funny, and not just because of the horrible dialogue. But not funny enough to make the scenes entertaining or captivating. Using the rape of a cow to show to even the most dim-witted whos the antagonist of the series, is for a director poor craftsmanship to the degree that words really fail me. There are no nuances or for that matter a shred of depth in any of the characters.Also from a script that seems incomplete or written ad hoc, then the framework of the story seems disjointed and unbelievable - especially when one as a Dane or German know the true story. For instance then Mr. Bornedal amongst other things, seems completely oblivious to the fact that the war in 1864 was a small part in the expansion of the Prussian state, and thus part of a much bigger picture.The fact of the matter is that 3 scriptwriters were fired on this production, before Mr. Bornedal tried to do it himself. Presumably as I see it, because he felt that he could do a better job himself. Which sadly and obviously he could not. The failing script and inept dialogue, makes it hard for the actors to make this anything but a farce. Not to mention watching it.If one is to make a, what is claimed to be a historical series, then its an advantage to source it with facts from more than one book and source. Which does not seems to be the case here. If one is inspired by, rather than attempting to recreate a historical period or context, then one needs to makes a different type or script and series.Also as a Dane, then to me, it seems obvious that this series is a clear political manifestation. Specifically then it appears that Mr. Bornedal is a exponent of the Cultural Radical school of danish entertainment industry. A loose collection of writers, media professionals and academics. Which amongst other things have a common support for the danish party the Radical Left - a party based amongst other things on Pacifism. The formation of which in large parts were a reaction to the defeat in 1864.In other words then one of the bigger problems I have with this series, is that I personally see it as a political manipulation of history, financed by all the danish taxpayers, and pretending to present facts rather than fiction. The completely irrational and incomprehensible need to have scenes from present day, reinforces this while adding nothing to the story, other than making a political statement. Badly. A view and interpretation, the validity of which, is reinforced by the former Chief of Drama in the danish national broadcasting Ingolf Gabold, who in the danish newspapers in early 2016 admitted that he saw the series as a political project. QED.Leaving that aside and focusing on the story, or lack thereof, and leaving all pretence of historical accuracy behind, then it seems to me, that Mr. Bornedal could really have benefited from cooperation with a (more) professional writer and producer. There are many scenes that seem out of place and which are hard to connect to the story. The scenes from present day only adding to the confusion.What really gets to me is not so much that this is political propaganda, but that its so poorly made propaganda, one-dimensional and frankly somewhat boring apart from the battles. However much I tried, then I never really had a suspension of disbelief.I find this to be a case of Mr. Bornedal rejecting reality and substituting it for his own. And doing it in such a clumsy, monochromatic, inelegant and frankly unintelligent way, that one is left feeling like a child having been told and retold ad nauseam about the way Mr. Bornedal feels and thinks about war and nationalism in general, and in this war in particular. It is in my opinion a very poorly constructed narrative and hopelessly badly executed.In my honest and personal opinion, then this series is not even mediocre. And I write this in spite of its cinematography and to some extent the costumes, which in spite of its script and directors efforts, ARE actually quite good, and really the only redeeming aspect(s) of the series.Which to me personally, sadly is no real surprise, as I personally feel that Mr. Bornedal have only ever made one really good movie, namely the original Nightwatch.
Tweekums
This Danish drama opens in the present day as troubled teenager Claudia is forced to visit Severin; an elderly baron; while there she reads to him the diaries of his grandmother Inge who lived through the tumultuous events of the mid-nineteenth century. In the aftermath of 1st Schleswig War spirits are high in Denmark; they were victorious and life seems idyllic; however there are dark clouds on the horizon; Lutheran minister Monrad sees the victory as a sign that the Danes are Gods chosen people and after entering politics intends to integrate the Duchy of Schleswig into Denmark against the will of its German speaking population and likely to lead to another war against the Prussians. In the run up to this impending war we are introduced to some of those it will effect; most notably Inge and two brothers who both love her, Peter and Laust Jensen; the son on the current baron Didrich and returned soldier Johan. As the story progresses we observes these characters and those around them as relationships develop and change and ultimately they head to a disastrous war that not all of them will survive.Before watching this series I confess I hadn't heard of the 2nd Schleswig War so can't really comment on how accurately the events were portrayed; I can however say as a piece of drama it was gripping if occasionally difficult viewing. The episodes before the war starts serve to introduce the protagonists and the politics of the time and by the time the first shot is fired we know full well who the heroes and villains are. The battle scenes, which are possibly the best I've seen in a television production, are dramatic in a way that is gruelling rather than exciting… war is a filthy, bloody business. The cast do a fine job; surprisingly it is the villains who stand out most; Nicolas Bro and Pilou Asbæk are great as Monrad and Didrich two of the least sympathetic characters imaginable; the former a religious zealot whose views wouldn't have been out of place in Nazi Germany and the latter who is a coward and a rapist. That isn't to say the rest of the cast aren't fine too; Marie Tourell Søderberg, as Inge, Jens Sætter-Lassen as Peter, Jakob Oftebro as Laust and Søren Malling as Johan. Some reviewers have been critical of the dialogue but not speaking Danish and relying on the subtitles I didn't notice this myself. Overall I'd recommend this to anybody looking for a historical drama with fairly deep themes; just be warned some of the content will offend some viewers.
Paul Ackerley
Outstanding, magical visual, story-telling. Compelling from start to finish. Ignore the pompous reviews about the contemporary story-line, dialogue, magic-realism and apparent historical simplification. It's nonsense. This is cinematic excellence and as powerful as the best Thomas Hardy adaptations or a series like the original Brideshead Revisited. The battle-scenes are as visceral and powerful as those in Saving Private Ryan or Downfall. The political landscape that precipitated the war is carefully set-out for those of us that had never previously come across this element of nineteenth century European history but never at the cost of engaging with the emotional depth of the piece. The characters are given time to develop and have real depth. Brilliantly directed. Immerse yourself.
