Movie spotlight
The Tartars
The Tartars and the Vikings maintain a fragile peace in the harsh landscape of the Russian Steppe. When the leader of the Vikings, Oleg, declines to accompany the Tartars on a campaign against the Slavs, there is an explosion of violence. After Oleg kills the Tartar leader and kidnaps his daughter, the dead man's brother, Burandai, retaliates by holding Oleg's wife, Helga, hostage. The stalemate can be resolved only on the battlefield.
Insights
Plot Summary
In the 13th century, the Golden Horde, led by Batu Khan, attempts to conquer Europe. A brave Italian prince is tasked with warning the European kingdoms of the impending invasion. He faces numerous challenges, including betrayal and battles, as he races against time to save Christendom from the formidable Tartar forces.
Critical Reception
The Tartars received a generally lukewarm reception from critics, often criticized for its predictable plot and historical inaccuracies. However, some viewers appreciated its epic scale and action sequences, characteristic of Sword-and-Sandal films of the era. It is often considered a lesser entry in the genre.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its grand scope and battle scenes.
Criticized for a derivative and historically questionable narrative.
Seen as a typical, if unremarkable, example of its genre.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this film, but those available suggest a mixed reception, with some finding it an enjoyable, albeit simple, historical adventure, while others found it lacking in substance and originality.
Fun Fact
The film was shot in Yugoslavia, utilizing its landscapes to double for the vast plains of Asia and Eastern Europe where the Tartars roamed.
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