The Promise

[fraz]

Oscar Isaac carried the film but the love story of the rich somewhat underplays the atrocities at hand and what must have been experienced by the less entitled.

Despite the film not really suceeding, it's hard to believe this is still denied.

6/10

[McG]

I was really surprised how good this film was. I didn't know very much about these events in Turkey though saw how the horrors of WW11 were largely present in 1914 in Turkey. I would highly recommend seeing this film, particularly as it's also based on true events. The acting was superb throughout as was the cinematography.
Marks 9/10

[KM&M]

Really enjoyed it, don't know much about this section of the war nor French involvement, so am interested to learn more.

Not something I would have seen without a free screening so am glad I did go.

[biggins]

At 2 hours 10 minutes it was rather long but well worth watching. 8/10

[annase]

Enjoyed this, well acted, very humane, love story element felt much less contrived than standard Hollywood fare. I was pleasantly surprised. However appeared somewhat simplistic politics, Turks presented as aggressor/ bad cop, not much explanation as to why.

[yogi]

A powerful depiction of a shocking time in history that depressingly seems far, far too familiar and can't help remind you of other injustices and horrors around the world both past and present.

I liked the central relationship and also Oscar Issac's friend from medical school and felt they did a good job of humanising such a vast event.

I'd heard beforehand that the denial had wildly skewed the online reaction both positively and negatively, apparently there's thousands more reviews for this on IMDB than for something like Beauty and the Beast, most of them 1 star or 10 stars, and it's not even been released everywhere yet.

There's some more info here, plus some fact checking and of course a few spoilers

http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelf ... e-promise/

Overall an excellent film 8.5/10

[Diane65]

I too loved this film. I can't add anything more than what Yogi has so eloquently put. 8/10

[Florence1]

I really enjoyed this film. It was very moving giving an insight into the Armenian genocide. It had a very powerful story and an impressive cast. Highly recommended. 9/10

[alythonian]

Until I read an article about the film at the weekend, I am embarassed to say that I too was ignorant of the Armenian genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish story I knew of WW1 was always just Gallipoli. This was really well done and a true story well told. It is harrowing at times but it's a story that deserves to be told and the terrible lies and denial thatbthis ever happened is a sad testament to mankind and what one man can do to another fellow man. 9/10

[baty]

I enjoyed the film. I never understand how people can behave so badly to one another. Thanks yogi for adding the link, I don't think I could anything more. 8/10