Download Fact Sheet - Press Release - Episode Guide

FACT SHEET
TITLE:
OTTOMANS VERSUS CHRISTIANS: THE
BATTLE FOR EUROPE
[TV-PG] [Stereo] [CC]
EXPECTED RELEASE:
April 1, 2017
PROGRAM SUPPLIER:
Pilot Film & TV Productions
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Presented by Julian Davison (Ottomans Versus
Christians: The Battle for the Mediterranean),
OTTOMANS VERSUS CHRISTIANS: THE
BATTLE FOR EUROPE travels to the Balkans,
Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union,
where the power struggle between Christian
Europe and the Muslim Ottoman Empire lasted for
centuries. Featuring interviews with top historians,
live reenactments of pivotal events, and visits to
historical sites, this three-part series explores a
legendary clash of civilizations and its continuing
repercussions in the modern world.
COPYRIGHT DATE:
© 2016, Pilot Film & Television Productions Ltd.
BROADCAST HISTORY:
U.S. Television Premiere
RELATED MERCHANDISE:
Viewers: DVD is not available.
VIEWER INQUIRIES:
[email protected]
COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
Kerry Taylor
(617) 338-4455, ext. 121
[email protected]
###
CONTACT: Kerry Taylor
(617) 338-4455, ext. 121
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Learn How the Muslim Empire Began and Expanded in
OTTOMANS VERSUS CHRISTIANS: THE BATTLE FOR EUROPE
In his acclaimed series Ottomans Versus Christians: Battle for the Mediterranean, host
Julian Davison explored the Ottoman Empire at the height of its power. Releasing on
public television stations nationwide beginning April 1, 2017, OTTOMANS VERSUS
CHRISTIANS: THE BATTLE FOR EUROPE, another chapter in this epic tale, traces
the Empire back to when it first began and explores its expansion into Europe.
Although the exact date is unknown, the Ottoman Empire is said to have come about
when its founder, Osman I, had a prophetic dream instructing him to take authority over
the world. After gaining control of Anatolia, the Ottomans then set their sights on
expanding their Empire. This three-part series explores the first battles they fought to
gain control of the Balkans in the 1300s, moves to the Empire’s Golden Age and fateful
siege of Vienna in the 1600s, and concludes with the struggles between the Ottomans
and the Tsarist Russians that resulted in the Crimean War in the 1800s, and the
Empire’s transformation into the modern Turkish state.
Davison uncovers the vast legacy of the Ottoman Empire, exploring its impressive
architecture, meeting the mystical dervishes who believe in overcoming pain through
religious devotion, and learning about Turkey’s national sport: oil wrestling.
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PRESS RELEASE
OTTOMANS VERSUS CHRISTIANS: THE BATTLE FOR EUROPE was acquired from
Pilot Film & TV Productions by American Public Television for syndication to public
television stations nationwide.
About APT:
American Public Television (APT) has been the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public
television stations since 1961. For more than 10 years, APT has annually distributed one-third or more of the top 100 highest-rated
public television titles in the U.S. Among its 250 new program titles per year, APT programs include prominent documentaries, news
and current affairs programs, dramas, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies. AfroPoP, America’s Test Kitchen
From Cook’s Illustrated, Rick Steves’ Europe, Front and Center, Doc Martin, Nightly Business Report, Midsomer Murders, Vera,
NHK Newsline, Lidia’s Kitchen, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, and P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home join numerous documentaries and
performance programs popular with public television viewers. APT licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide
service. Now in its 12th year, Create® TV — featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming — is distributed by
American Public Television. APT also distributes WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel.
To find out more about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org.
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EPISODE GUIDE
Episode #101 – “Dream of Empire”
Short description: This episode traces the history of Ottoman influence in the Balkans
over four centuries.
Long description: In this first episode we follow the Ottomans’ rise from obscure
beginnings as a nomadic tribe in Anatolia to their game changing conquest of the famed
Byzantine capitol of Orthodox Christianity, Constantinople.
Julian’s journey begins in Bursa, the Ottomans’ first capitol city and one of Turkey’s
historical gems, where he explores the wealth of early Ottoman architecture and
examines the legends, cultural traditions and unique circumstances that helped give
birth to an empire.
Then it’s off to the Dardanelles Straits where Julian picks up the trail of the first Ottoman
warriors who crossed over into the European continent at Gallipoli.
Once on European soil, the Ottoman advance was quick. Bypassing Constantinople,
they pushed into Thrace, Macedonia and Bulgaria, encountering little resistance.
With the help of leading historians, Ottoman Army re-enactors, and Turkish oil wrestling
champions no less, Julian uncovers some of the secrets to Ottoman success.
As the Ottoman army pushed deeper into Europe, they came up against their first
serious challenge when they entered the Kingdom of Serbia. Staunch Orthodox
Christians, the Serbian armies put up a brave fight but were ultimately defeated at the
legendary Battle of Kosovo in 1389.
To understand more about the battle and the mark it left on the Serbian collective
consciousness, Julian travels to Kosovo and attends an annual commemoration of the
battle by patriotic Serbs who see it as a defining moment in their country’s history.
While in Kosovo, Julian takes a trip to Prizren to explore some of the Ottoman legacies
in the region. He braves an ancient piercing ritual conducted by the town’s Rufai
Dervishes and gains an insight into religious life during Ottoman rule in the Balkans.
Then it’s on to Budapest, Hungary, where Julian examines the growing resistance to
Ottoman expansion in Europe in the late 14th century, under the leadership of
Hungarian King Sigismund.
Journeying down the spectacular Danube River all the way from Budapest to Nikopol,
Bulgaria, Julian follows in the footsteps of the Hungarian led coalition of crusader
knights that, some 500 years previous, set out to vanquish the Ottoman menace from
Europe once and for all.
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EPISODE GUIDE
Reaching the tiny Danubian village of Nikopol, Julian explores the remains of a battle
that ended in humiliation and defeat for the Crusaders and secured the Balkans for the
Ottomans.
All that remained was the symbolic heart of Eastern Christianity itself, Constantinople,
and by the beginning of the 15th century the Ottomans had the city surrounded.
Julian travels to Constantinople, today’s Istanbul, to relive the dramatic moments of the
famed siege that changed Europe and explore the tactics used by the Ottomans’
ambitious young Sultan, Mehmed II.
The fall of Constantinople was a turning point. Likened to the attacks of 9/11 in its scale
and significance, it shocked Christian Europe to the core and set the stage for a mighty
power struggle that would last for hundreds of years.
For the Ottomans, the conquest of Constantinople was the crowning achievement of an
aspiring power. It signalled their pre-eminence in the Islamic world and empowered the
Empire to strike deeper into the heart of Europe - a subject we explore in episode two.
Episode #102 – “Vienna – The Golden Apple”
Short description: This episode focuses on Ottoman advances into Europe in the
15th-17th Centuries, climaxing in the second siege of Vienna in 1683.
Long description: In episode two we explore the Ottoman Empire’s Golden Age and
chart the height of its expansion into Europe, climaxing with the 1683 siege of Vienna.
The episode opens in Istanbul where Presenter Julian Davison explores the reign of the
Empire’s most successful Sultan, Sulieman the Magnificent. A sophisticated ruler,
Sulieman not only encouraged artistic and architectural achievement but helped to
organise and unify the wide range of cultures and religions across his growing empire.
To get an idea of what life was like for the average person during Sulieman’s time,
Julian travels to the 16th century village of Cumalikizik in Northern Anatolia, where he
enjoys an historical shadow puppet play involving characters representing the empire’s
varied populations.
But Sulieman’s military ambitions were just as important and European expansion was
a vital part of his strategy. Within just a few years of becoming Sultan, Sulieman made
significant gains in Hungary, most notably at the battle of Mohacs, where he demolished
the Hungarian army and secured an Ottoman foothold in the region.
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EPISODE GUIDE
Julian visits the eerie site of the battle of Mohacs and explores how the Ottoman victory
would leave an indelible mark on the national consciousness of Hungarians. For the
next two centuries, Hungary would become the central arena in a mammoth power
struggle between Europe and the Ottoman Empire. But Sulieman had a rival in Europe
that was determined to thwart his grandest ambitions: the Hapsburg King and Holy
Roman Emperor Charles V.
With the help of historians and experts we look at the bitter rivalry between Sulieman
and Charles V, and explore how it fuelled conflict and religious division, and undermined
European unity in the face of Ottoman expansion.
In 1529, Sulieman’s armies reached the Hapsburg city of Vienna. Its siege was a
shocking strike at the heart of Europe and, though unsuccessful, established Vienna as
the golden apple of Ottoman desire and somewhat of an obsession for Sulieman.
Julian travels to Vienna to chronicle the siege and delve more deeply into the
relationship between Sulieman and the powers of Europe with the help of Vienna’s
Imperial Armoury curator, Matthias Phaffenbichler.
Sulieman would spend the rest of his life coveting Vienna but he would never succeed
in taking the city. Julian travels to the Hungarian town of Szigetvar to explore the
legendary battle where Sulieman died and uncover the truth about a buried treasure
associated with his death while visiting an archaeological dig taking place just outside
the town.
Sulieman’s dream of capturing Vienna may have been unfulfilled, but Sultan Mehmed IV
would rekindle it in 1683 when he assembled the largest army of its day to conquer the
city.
What became known as the Battle of Vienna was a turning point in the long history of
conflict between the Ottoman Empire and the powers of Europe, and its legacy is farreaching.
Julian travels to Vienna and with the help of local experts and guides, explores the city’s
many sites dedicated to the battle and the key events that brought the city to the brink of
collapse.
At the final hour, Vienna was saved by the extraordinary efforts of the Polish Winged
Hussars, a powerful cavalry renowned for their bravery and devastating charges.
Diverting to Poland, Julian enlists the help of the impressive Polish Hussar reenactment group to relive those pivotal final moments of the battle and demonstrate
some of the military manoeuvres that saved the city from capture.
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EPISODE GUIDE
A visit to the Vienna Museum and its collection of battle booty reveals some unexpected
facts about the conflict and its aftermath.
From croissants to coffee, the Battle of Vienna left Europe with many surprising legacies
which Julian enthusiastically explores, but it also marked the height of Ottoman
expansion into Europe and in retrospect is often seen as the beginning of the Ottoman
Empire’s slow decline.
But the Empire had a long way to fall and would continue to be a formidable force for
centuries to come. The nature of its relationship with Europe however would change as
nationalist movements emerged in the Balkans and a terrifying new threat rose in the
East.
Episode #103 – “The Sick Man of Europe”
Short description: This final episode explores the relationship between the Ottoman
Empire and Tsarist Russia, which resulted in the Crimean War in 1853, dragging in
troops from France and England.
Long description: Our third and final episode looks at the Ottoman Empire’s slow
decline in the face of Russian expansion and explores the complex alliances it would
forge with European powers in an effort to survive. The map of Europe would be
radically redrawn and the Ottoman Empire would come to a humiliating end, giving birth
to the modern Turkish Republic.
The episode opens in St. Petersburg, Russia, where presenter Julian Davison examines
the rise of Russian power under the rule of Peter the Great.
Vital to Russia’s growth was the establishment of a navy and warm water ports. The
Black Sea, just beyond its southern borders, was the obvious choice, but it would bring
Russia into direct conflict with the Ottoman Empire and spur the powers of Europe to
rally to defend it.
Julian looks at the rise of the Russian navy by visiting the historic naval fortresses of
Kronstad, in the Gulf of Finland, just outside St. Petersburg.
As Russian power grew, internal corruption was weakening the Ottoman Empire’s
military capabilities. Russian ambitions in the Black Sea and the Balkans were
emboldened. The Ottoman Empire was labelled the “Sick Man of Europe” and Russia
was keen to deliver the fatal blow.
Julian travels from Russia to the Black Sea and into the Balkans to chronicle the
tumultuous struggle between Russia and the Ottoman Empire and uncover the reasons
for an Ottoman alliance with their former enemies in Europe.
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EPISODE GUIDE
For Russia, religion was key to the conflict, as Julian learns on a visit to the 17 th century
New Jerusalem Monastery, just outside of Moscow.
The Monastery, with its faithful replicas of the most important Christian sites in
Jerusalem, perfectly expresses the Russian view of itself as the third Rome, the
inheritor of Byzantium, and as such, the unifying power for all Orthodox Christians - a
concept that was taken to new levels under the leadership of Tsar Nicholas I in the 19th
century.
Launching a number of military campaigns into the Ottoman controlled Balkans, Tsar
Nicholas saw Russia as the protector of all Orthodox Christians and was determined to
liberate the Balkans of Ottoman and Muslim dominance. But the Ottoman Empire was
not as sick as it may have seemed.
Julian visits the Bulgarian town of Silistra on the Danube, where Russian forces
launched a shock and awe bombardment only to be brutally repelled by the Ottomans.
Thanks to the Russian retreat, war could have been avoided, but Britain, France and
the Ottoman Empire wanted to teach Russia a lesson and pursued them to their naval
base on the Crimean Peninsula.
What became known as the Crimean War dragged on for years and left hundreds of
thousands dead on both sides.
At the same time, Europe was experiencing a surge of enthusiasm for all things
Eastern. Known as Orientalism, Ottoman worlds were fantasised in works of art and
architecture in the West. Julian looks at a number of key artworks and trends of the 19th
century that reflected a change in public attitudes towards the Ottomans and
strengthened European mistrust of Russia.
From the Crimean War of the 1850s to the Balkan Wars of Independence to WWI,
Julian travels from Batak in Bulgaria to Gallipoli, unpacking the battles, movements and
ideas that helped shape modern Europe and transform the Ottoman Empire into a
modern Turkish state.
When it was all over, most of the Ottomans’ Balkan territories gained independence and
the Ottoman presence in Europe was almost entirely extinguished, but its legacy lives
on.
In conclusion, Julian returns to the very spot Ottoman warriors first crossed into Europe
and ponders the meaning and influence of the Ottoman Empire’s incredible 500 year
presence in Europe.
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