1864

A great and intriguing miniseries, which opens in 1851 and closes in 1864 following a peculiar love story against the backdrop of the Second Schleswig War. The historical storyline is complemented by the contemporary one. The two parts of the story fit quite well together, clearly showing how too much nationalist fervor can make a small nation dangerous not only to others but especially to itself. I was satisfied with the whole series, I was far from bored. The only thing that disappointed me was the sloppy ending. (11/25/2016)

You can tell the Danes have a different approach to making films and series compared to Americans and Peter Jackson. Instead of endless bloodbaths, the first episode offers a glimpse into everyday life on the eve of war, fueled by overly enthusiastic politicians. Scandinavian cinema and TV always resonate with me. (11/22/2016)

By the third episode, the tension is really heating up. War preparations are in full swing, and von Bismarck and von Moltke have the situation firmly in hand. Even though the outcome of the conflict is predictable, the series keeps getting more interesting. I love how the Danes can weave a love story into the show without sacrificing its atmosphere. Plus, this spectacle introduced me to a new type of relationship dynamic — a Danish love triangle. (11/22/2016)

The fourth episode picks up the pace in every way, and I’d gladly give it five stars if the first major clash wasn’t mostly just narrated. I’m not sure if this was an artistic choice or more likely a budget-saving measure. A key takeaway from this episode is that no matter the year, you can always count on politicians to sacrifice, betray, and use you. Isn't this nice? (11/24/2016)

What a letdown. the episode featured odd monologues that felt like long-distance communication, and the battles happened off-screen. Instead, the camera focused on a painting of the battle while the sound team played battle noises — quite the spectacle. I’m hoping the situation improves in the upcoming episodes. (11/25/2016)

The best episode so far. The drama intensifies as politicians remain completely clueless about reality. The over-the-top sentimentality is balanced by the fact that they finally found the budget for extras, so the battle scenes actually play out on screen instead of just in the viewer's imagination. (11/25/2016)

The finale left me feeling quite unsettled. The sentimentality from the previous episode lingered, and the plot became oddly disjointed with unconvincing character actions. After the credits rolled, I found myself wondering why the Danes chose to end the series so abruptly, and I still don't have an answer. (11/25/2016)