Fetih 1453 (Film)

Fetih 1453 is a Turkish historical drama, action, and war film that premiered on 16 February 2012. Produced by Aksoy Film, the film was directed and produced by Faruk Aksoy. The screenplay was written by Atilla Engin and İrfan Saruhan. The main roles are played by Devrim Evin, İbrahim Çelikkol, and Dilek Serbest. The film centers on the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople and the story of Ulubatlı Hasan. Serkan Zelzele served as the visual director, and the film was made with a budget of $18.2 million. Distribution in Türkiye was handled by Tiglon, in Europe by Kinostar, and in the United States by NeoClassics Films. The film is available on the Tabii platform.

Plot

The film opens with a hadith attributed to Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a companion of Prophet Muhammad in Medina in 627, regarding the conquest of Constantinople. The narrative then shifts to the 15th century and the second ascension of Mehmed II to the Ottoman throne in 1451. Mehmed II sets his sights on conquering Constantinople, the last territory of the Byzantine Empire. The story is built around the tale of Ulubatlı Hasan. During the preparations for the conquest, Hasan meets Era, and a bond forms between them. As the Ottoman army lays siege to Constantinople, the city’s defense is led by Giovanni Giustiniani. The film depicts historical events such as the scaling of the walls, the use of massive cannons, and Ulubatlı Hasan planting the Ottoman flag on the city walls. The conquest is completed on 29 May 1453.

Themes

The film explores themes of patriotism, sacrifice, courage, and faith. Mehmed II’s leadership, strategic intellect, and determination to conquer underscore the values of resolve and vision. The story of Ulubatlı Hasan highlights individual heroism and selflessness. The relationship between Era and Hasan reflects the importance of human connections amid war. The weaknesses and intrigues of the Byzantine Empire address themes of decline and resistance. Through religious references, the film emphasizes the spiritual dimension of the conquest and presents the Ottoman victory as a historic turning point. It aims to instill historical awareness and transmit cultural heritage to viewers.

Box Office Performance

Fetih 1453 premiered on 16 February 2012 in 850 theaters with 500 prints. In its first three days, it attracted 1,161,250 viewers and generated 13,029,530 TL in revenue, setting a new opening record. Within three weeks, it surpassed Recep İvedik 2 to become the most-watched film in Türkiye, reaching a total of 4,333,144 viewers. Overall, the film attracted 6,573,171 viewers and earned approximately 55 million TL. The film was also screened internationally and received particular attention from the Turkish diaspora in Europe. Beyazperde.com noted that the film achieved box office success through its visual effects and battle scenes.

Production

The film was produced by Aksoy Film. With a 34-month preparation phase and a 24-month shooting period, it holds the distinction of having the longest production process in Turkish cinema history. Filming began in May 2010 at a gunpowder warehouse in Ataköy, where a 14-ton molten cannon set was constructed in Demirciköy, Kırklareli, along with a section of Boğazkesen Fortress. A 2,500-square-meter blue water tank was used for the Genoa harbor scenes. Three-dimensional effects were created by Epics FX Studio. The music was composed by British composer Benjamin Wallfisch. In casting, unknown actors were preferred, and over 4,000 individuals were auditioned.

Characters and Performers

The main characters and actors are as follows:

• Mehmed II (Devrim Evin): The Ottoman sultan and leader of the conquest, portrayed as a strategic and determined figure.
• Ulubatlı Hasan (İbrahim Çelikkol): A brave Ottoman soldier who becomes a hero by planting the flag on the city walls during the conquest.
• Era (Dilek Serbest): The woman loved by Ulubatlı Hasan.
• Giovanni Giustiniani (Cengiz Coşkun): The Genoese commander who leads the Byzantine defense.
• Çandarlı Halil Pasha (Recep Aktuğ): Mehmed II’s grand vizier who plays a role in the conquest strategy.
• Constantine XI (Şahika Koldemir): The Byzantine emperor who leads the city’s defense.

Since the film was shot entirely in Turkish, no voice-over artists were required. The actors performed using their own voices.