Watch The Tartars

The Tartars is a 1961 historical drama produced by Italian director Richard Thorpe. The film follows the story of Burundai (played by Victor Mature), a Tartar warrior who seeks revenge on the prince of the Rus (played by Liam Redmond) for the death of his father. Meanwhile, another Tartar leader, Kaidu (played by Orson Welles), wants to forge an alliance with the Rus in order to invade China. The film focuses on the clash of these two opposing interests and the resulting battles and struggles for power.

Victor Mature, a known Hollywood actor, gives a commanding performance as the lead character Burundai. He imbues Burundai with a deep sense of determination and revenge that is evident in his every move. Orson Welles, on the other hand, plays a more nuanced role as Kaidu, a Tartar leader who is not solely driven by his desire for power, but also by his fondness for one of the Rus princesses, played by Liana Orfei. This brings a romantic element to the film, but it is not the main focus, as the film is primarily about the Tartars and their battles.

The Tartars is a visually stunning film, with beautiful cinematography capturing the vast and empty steppes on which the Tartars roam. The costumes and sets are also incredibly detailed, with the Tartar clothing and weaponry looking especially intricate and authentic. The battle scenes are also well done, with a focus on brutal hand-to-hand combat that is both exciting and visceral.

Despite its dramatic story and impressive visuals, The Tartars suffers from a lack of character development. The motivations for the main characters are clear, but their backstories and personal lives are left relatively unexplored. This makes it difficult for the audience to truly connect with the characters and feel invested in their fates.

Another issue with the film is its pacing. At times it feels slow and meandering, with the various storylines taking a while to come together. However, once the main conflict is established, the film picks up pace and becomes much more engaging.

Overall, The Tartars is a well-made historical drama that is worth watching for the impressive visuals and strong performances. However, it may not be the most memorable film due to its lack of character development and slow pacing at times. Fans of epic battles and historical dramas will likely enjoy this film.