Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: RISE OF THE RAVEN [Toronto International Film Festival 2025 - Toronto, Canada]
The aspect of a television series among the film festival structure is obviously a growing trend, in its own way, offers a glimpse into different arenas. What is interesting at times is when it isn't connected to a major streamer but has to function independently on its own (which doesn't happen often). "Rise Of The Raven" [Primetime] is based on a series of books by Mor Ban about the Hungarian warrior John Hunyadi in the 14th Century during a time of strife between Hungary, Serbia and the Ottoman Empire. Produced by Robert Lantos, who fronted Alliance Entertainment in Canada, the producer said in the introduction to the screening it is an ode to his heritage but also specific in that the series itself is done in Hungarian. Hunyadi in the first two episodes is only one of the characters but his fate floats dangerously around others. Hunyadi himself is Hungarian but finds himself in the court of the Serbian King and falls in love with one of the royal daughters. However he is not a nobleman so this thwarts a lot of what he does (and what he wants). The series, especially with its opening credits. really plays into the Colossus that perhaps time has forgot. Granted, in what would have be in the Middle (or even Dark) Ages, the construction of the story is about a throttle for power.
The tone of the series floats somewhere between "Game Of Thrones" and "Spartacus". It tries to be titillating at times and deadly serious at others. Gellert Kadar embodies Hunyadi well bringing to mind a more grizzled Viggo Mortensen. His Hunyadi understands some of the politics that functions within the nobility but is more of a hothead in certain ways...and is, in many ways, punching above his weight. On the other end of the spectrum is his love Mara (Franciska Törőcsik) who must function into a political marriage which is barely more than a harem to the Sultan (which constitutes a certain idea of the time). However again, if this is just a power play of conquering and acquisescing to save part of the susceptible population, it tends to come across as simplified especially with the Sultan's approach. It is more about psychological warfare against honored family (especially of a king). The interesting play is how Mara (and Torcocsik) plays it because it is something that the Sultan has not seen. But like "Outlander: Blood Of My Blood" it is about chess pieces and only those at the top control it.
The King Of Serbia and the King Of Hungary are simply vying to stay afloat against the Ottoman Empire which will ultimately fall. Even the Romanian Count throws his hat in the ring just to avoid bloodshed...but it is all based on fear...and money. The Sultan, like most dictators wants to be a God on Earth with whatever that perspective encapsulates. What is interesting is seeing Hunyadi rebuilding an approach in a certain way which he does though an unlikely ally (who becomes his new wife). While their relationship might evolve in later episodes, her intent especially within her certain awareness of knowledge and trysts involving a Queen suggests someone more cunning...yet when she returns to a certain castle it seems that it has restrained her all but too a prison. Some of the fight sequences, especially those involving the horses chasing throughout what looks like the Hungarian countryside are riveting in many ways. The inflection, especially in a different language, comes off well though perhaps certain nuances of Hungarian history will float by those non-natives. As in most stories of this ilk, everyone is trying to get a piece of the pe and lying in one way or another (or at least exaggerating) to get what they truly want. But as an independent series, and considering the source material to have to condense into 10 hours, the production does admirably and seemingly tells the story it wants to tell. B
By Tim Wassberg
