Watch Day of the Siege

Day of the Siege is a historical epic drama film that was released in 2012. The movie is set in the 17th century and revolves around the historical Siege of Vienna of 1683. Directed by Renzo Martinelli, the film features an ensemble cast including F. Murray Abraham, Enrico Lo Verso, and Jerzy Skolimowski. The movie takes place at a time when the Ottoman Empire is at its peak, and the Ottoman Sultan intends to expand his empire towards the West. The Sultan's army, led by Kara Mustafa (Enrico Lo Verso), marches towards Vienna, determined to conquer it. However, the city of Vienna has been preparing for the attack and is under the leadership of Ernst Rüdiger von Starhemberg (F. Murray Abraham).

As the Ottoman army lays siege to Vienna, the city is surrounded and completely cut off from the outside world. The citizens of Vienna, along with the soldiers, face desperate odds in their struggle to withstand the brutal and relentless assault by the Ottoman army. The movie depicts the intense battle that lasts for two months, with the Ottoman army throwing everything they have at the defenders of Vienna.

Day of the Siege is not just about the military aspects of the Siege of Vienna. The film also focuses on the human side of war, showing the individual struggles and sacrifices of the people caught up in the conflict. One of the main characters in the film is Marco d'Aviano (Jerzy Skolimowski), a Capuchin friar who is instrumental in rallying the people of Vienna to stand up against the Ottoman army.

The film also delves into the religious tensions of the time, highlighting the differences between Christianity and Islam. At the forefront of this theme is the clash between Marco d'Aviano and Kara Mustafa. Marco d'Aviano is portrayed as a devout Christian who is willing to lay down his life for the cause of defending Vienna, while Kara Mustafa is depicted as a ruthless Muslim leader who will stop at nothing to accomplish his goals.

The cinematography of the film is breathtaking, capturing the grandeur and spectacle of the siege. The viewer is treated to stunning vistas of the Viennese landscape, with the city and its walls providing a dramatic backdrop to the fighting. The film's battle scenes are also expertly choreographed, with the viewer getting a sense of the chaos and brutality of warfare.

The acting in Day of the Siege is top-notch, with F. Murray Abraham giving a standout performance as Ernst Rüdiger von Starhemberg. Abraham captures the character's strong leadership qualities, showing the viewer why he was one of the key reasons for Vienna's successful resistance. Enrico Lo Verso is equally impressive as the villainous Kara Mustafa, portraying him as a brutal and cunning leader who is willing to do whatever it takes to win.

In conclusion, Day of the Siege is an excellent historical epic that transports the viewer back to a pivotal moment in European history. The film's engaging story, excellent acting, and stunning cinematography make it a must-see for anyone interested in history, war dramas, or epic movies in general.

Day of the Siege is a 2012 history movie with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.3.