Sets are dark, lavish, and lit just right. It's a good story involving historic characters in turmoil, fighting and scheming for control of the throne in an unusual period of formation in Europe. They involve multiple countries, AUS, GER, but the focus is in 1400ad France. Can a strong woman break tradition as a Duchess and rule? Or does she need a man as society and law demands? Have to watch and see. Very informative, good sync w/ captions, well acted by Mary of Burgundy & Maximilian and supporting cast. Fresh and different vibe, as many BBC series- and sex scenes are done well for well adjusted adults... you can almost feel the cold, as battle scenes are foggy, realistic, and scenic. If you dig historic period dramas- This is well worth a watch. Solid series- Recommend.
12 Reviews
Rewarding Exxperience
evpmail29 August 2018
Showtime/Starz has given viewers a refreshing and rewarding experience in running the limited series "Maximilian" this spring, an insightful exploration of Fifteenth Century European history, concentrating on France, Germany, Austria and Hungary. At the time, France consisted of somewhat independent provinces, as did Germany, the greatest part of Germany known as the Holy Roman Empire. This focus on these countries is a refreshing change from the usual concentration on British history that we're offered in the category of Old World history.
Also refreshing is the absence of melodramatic soap histrionics characteristic in Hollywood productions. If the actors in "Maximilian" at times seemed too stone-faced, the viewer must take into account the behavior standards of royals and aristocrats both in previous centuries and in modern times. This does not mean there is a lack of emotional expression, just that it is more tempered, allowing for some highly charged scenes at pivot points along the way.
There is some frankly presented nudity and the brutality of the times, but not overly graphic. One nude scene in particular provides one of the most hilarious scenes in the world of cinema.
It was particularly rewarding to see this series in German and French with subtitles, much to be preferred over dubbing. Amazingly, the characters all communicated with one another across language barriers, each speaking in his/her native language, while seeming to understand one another perfectly.
I highly recommend "Maximilian." Don't pass this one up.
Also refreshing is the absence of melodramatic soap histrionics characteristic in Hollywood productions. If the actors in "Maximilian" at times seemed too stone-faced, the viewer must take into account the behavior standards of royals and aristocrats both in previous centuries and in modern times. This does not mean there is a lack of emotional expression, just that it is more tempered, allowing for some highly charged scenes at pivot points along the way.
There is some frankly presented nudity and the brutality of the times, but not overly graphic. One nude scene in particular provides one of the most hilarious scenes in the world of cinema.
It was particularly rewarding to see this series in German and French with subtitles, much to be preferred over dubbing. Amazingly, the characters all communicated with one another across language barriers, each speaking in his/her native language, while seeming to understand one another perfectly.
I highly recommend "Maximilian." Don't pass this one up.
Makes history come alive in an entertaining way
yvonne-3027114 October 2020
I came upon this series after having watched other similar series set in 15th century but in Italy and England. Those were: White Queen, White Princess, Spanish Princess, The Medici, The Borgia. This series fits extremely well into the "missing pieces of a puzzle" category. It focuses on the Duchy of Burgundy, which was important in the English War of the Roses and I had first had to look up where exactly it was. I always knew that the Austrian Hapsburgs were somehow related to the Spanish Hapsburgs but never really knew how that relationship came about. All of these shows made history INTERESTING, the historical personages come alive as we get to know them, understand them, and discover that dull history textbooks can become very entertaining drama. The quality of the various 15th-century set TV dramas are not equal. Most have interesting enough story lines. The history was rich on drama in the 15th century. But the cinematography, costumes, direction, performances - those differ quite widely. Maximilian is definitely not tops in the cinematography and visual beauty category, but seemed pretty historically accurate. Another reviewer here mentioned historical inaccuracy without doing much diligent checking him/herself. Wikipedia has an error when listing the troop strength of France and Burgundy, they switched the numbers around in one place, but in the write up they got it correctly. So it's not the movie that had it wrong, it's Wikipedia that has an error. I enjoyed this series and would recommend it especially since both Austria and Burgundy are usually pretty neglected in our British-dominated historical series.
Surprising and Fantastic
eclarkdog23 August 2019
First, let's get a few things out of the way. Max is an historical drama/thriller filmed in German and French, among other languages. If you are uncomfortable with subtitles, this may not be for you - but I recommend getting comfortable. For Americans, the cast will be unknown to you, unless you are a cinephile you might be familiar with Jean-Hughes Anglande and Silvia Testud. Lastly, at least in my experience Germany has not had a strong track record in the motion picture arts, although I've seen some things recently on big on small screen that were quite good.
I ran across this series some time ago on Starz, which I subscribed to temporarily on occasion to catch up on a few things. Their Philippa Gregory series have been ok, although fall a bit on the soapy side. Needless to say, I'm a lover of history and historical fiction, so this caught my eye. Still, I was hesitant as it was a German production rather than say Brit or French, so I did not come back to it for a couple of years.
But I started watching the first episode the other night, and man, this one is very very good. Excellent production values, acting, dialogue, with strong dedication to the source history it is based on. No soap involved - down and dirty drama and action.. What is really striking, ,though obviously a very minor point when talking about lesser known historical figures from 500 years ago, was how closely the actors resembled their counterparts.
If you like history at all or period pieces, heck, if you like Game of Thrones, I encourage you to watch this series. Max does a really great job making you feel the history here, the grittiness of the time, with some surprisingly sharp details to the keen eye....such as homage to peripheral figures and events to this particular arena like Mathias Corvinus and the Black Army of Hungary.
I have a particular interest in this period of history, but most of my background was Brit and French focused from college, but I studied up later on the rest of Europe at the time. I'd guess for most Americans there's little knowledge of these events and characters, maybe none at all. The two young main characters here, Max of Austria and especially Mary of Burgundy, would probably seem quite minor or insignificant to history. However, there are a couple of important things to consider when going into this. The death of Charles the Bold of Burgundy (Mary's Father) - basically the first scene of Max - is one of the most pivotal events in European history that most aren't even familiar with. It was the catalyst for the fall of and soon disappearance of a major European power for all time, and the rise of one of the most powerful dynasties in European history, whose progenitors happen to be Mary and Max. I think it is important to know that, if not learned in the area, and do a little research, before going into it to understand the weight of the events and characters portrayed here. This is heavy stuff and it is well done and very exciting, and at times quite moving.
I ran across this series some time ago on Starz, which I subscribed to temporarily on occasion to catch up on a few things. Their Philippa Gregory series have been ok, although fall a bit on the soapy side. Needless to say, I'm a lover of history and historical fiction, so this caught my eye. Still, I was hesitant as it was a German production rather than say Brit or French, so I did not come back to it for a couple of years.
But I started watching the first episode the other night, and man, this one is very very good. Excellent production values, acting, dialogue, with strong dedication to the source history it is based on. No soap involved - down and dirty drama and action.. What is really striking, ,though obviously a very minor point when talking about lesser known historical figures from 500 years ago, was how closely the actors resembled their counterparts.
If you like history at all or period pieces, heck, if you like Game of Thrones, I encourage you to watch this series. Max does a really great job making you feel the history here, the grittiness of the time, with some surprisingly sharp details to the keen eye....such as homage to peripheral figures and events to this particular arena like Mathias Corvinus and the Black Army of Hungary.
I have a particular interest in this period of history, but most of my background was Brit and French focused from college, but I studied up later on the rest of Europe at the time. I'd guess for most Americans there's little knowledge of these events and characters, maybe none at all. The two young main characters here, Max of Austria and especially Mary of Burgundy, would probably seem quite minor or insignificant to history. However, there are a couple of important things to consider when going into this. The death of Charles the Bold of Burgundy (Mary's Father) - basically the first scene of Max - is one of the most pivotal events in European history that most aren't even familiar with. It was the catalyst for the fall of and soon disappearance of a major European power for all time, and the rise of one of the most powerful dynasties in European history, whose progenitors happen to be Mary and Max. I think it is important to know that, if not learned in the area, and do a little research, before going into it to understand the weight of the events and characters portrayed here. This is heavy stuff and it is well done and very exciting, and at times quite moving.
Quality production
raparsi8 February 2021
Great cast but the script is lacking
RebeccasList30 November 2022
The most prominent feeling I'm left with after watching this show, is that the screenwriters really rushed through it. There I was invested in the story of Mary, Maximilian, friends and foes at the start. The pace was going well enough, but especially after they get married plot-lines aren't fleshed out enough to continue and increase the impact of events that should be feeding my interest and emotions. Such a tragic thing too as the cast was good, but very underused because the script is half baked. What should have been two seasons at least was wrapped in just six episodes that end up being mostly forgetable when it had so much more potential.
On a positive note, I must commend the costumes. They are just fantastic, and I loved to see the court garments. The actresses for Mary and her step mother are beautiful and I loved seeing them on screen. Maximilian's actor is also wonderful. The casting was well done, and the sets and scenes all felt authentic. They did well with the material they got, I just wish the story had more meat. It would have been a more impactful series.
On a positive note, I must commend the costumes. They are just fantastic, and I loved to see the court garments. The actresses for Mary and her step mother are beautiful and I loved seeing them on screen. Maximilian's actor is also wonderful. The casting was well done, and the sets and scenes all felt authentic. They did well with the material they got, I just wish the story had more meat. It would have been a more impactful series.
Must watch! Inytelligent and refreshingly attentive to details
nygerzzz11 April 2019
If you're a man-child thats into grown men dressed up in rubber costumes and waving their hands for - this aint for you. But if you're into grown men dressed up in era costumes and armor, waving their swords - this is for you. Shot in german and french languages, tells a relatively accurate story, all actors play superb, director doesnt think you're an idiot and lets a lot of nuissances to do the talking. Best Ive seen in years and I dont even speak german or french.
Insanely good!
ruthnotes12 April 2021
Such a great series! I don't speak French or German but even so I still loved it and have watched it three times. The photography is amazing! The Austrian forests. The town burghers who look like they are sitting for a painting by a Dutch master. The baptism in the cathedral. The love scenes are tender. The humor comes through in the subtitles. The women!! Holy cow! Each of the women gets at least a moment to reveal her story in a moving way.
Outstanding European Historical Miniseries
seilerjoseph30 December 2022
If this production was filmed in English, it would have been an internationally acclaimed historical drama. Yet, if it was filmed in English, it would have lost its charm and intensity.
As someone fluent in French and German, it is an odd sensation to listen to characters speaking to each other in different languages. It is an interesting artistic choice which does reflect the multilingual aspect of European courts in this period.
The gritty: it is sumptuous, tense, murderous, and sexy. There are no elves or dwarves or fictional kingdoms: this is real life and history, naked and brutal.
If you are a cinephile, you should watch this.
As someone fluent in French and German, it is an odd sensation to listen to characters speaking to each other in different languages. It is an interesting artistic choice which does reflect the multilingual aspect of European courts in this period.
The gritty: it is sumptuous, tense, murderous, and sexy. There are no elves or dwarves or fictional kingdoms: this is real life and history, naked and brutal.
If you are a cinephile, you should watch this.
Dull and inaccurate
andersfjellstrom16 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Aside of being villains in the tragedy of Joan of Arc, the dukes of Burgundy has not been that present in historical dramas on film and tv. Hence, one must welcome this story that takes place some 45 years later, focusing on the power struggle after the last male duke's death in 1477 and the love story between his daughter - the rich but threatened duchess Maria - and the poor but assertive archduke Maximilian of Habsburg.
The result is so-so. Lots of conspirations are being plotted in dark chambers, but that never gets very exciting. I don't mind the lack of great action scenes per se - Wolf Hall managed beautifully to create suspense without them - but there's just not enough nerve here. The love story works a bit better but still comes across as rather stiff and clichéed. A romantic sidestory, although a bit silly, really manages to add som spice. The cinematography is beautiful, but not overwhelmingly so.
Furthermore, there are historical inaccuracies that are far from marginal. Most importantly, the marriage between Maria and Maximilian were decided years before the series begin and was - of course - not an improvised solution. They were already bethrothed when Maria's father died, and the States General - although in conflict with her - approved of their wedding. One more example: The burgundian troops were vastly superior to the french in the final battle, according to the sources i have found, and not the other way around.
The result is so-so. Lots of conspirations are being plotted in dark chambers, but that never gets very exciting. I don't mind the lack of great action scenes per se - Wolf Hall managed beautifully to create suspense without them - but there's just not enough nerve here. The love story works a bit better but still comes across as rather stiff and clichéed. A romantic sidestory, although a bit silly, really manages to add som spice. The cinematography is beautiful, but not overwhelmingly so.
Furthermore, there are historical inaccuracies that are far from marginal. Most importantly, the marriage between Maria and Maximilian were decided years before the series begin and was - of course - not an improvised solution. They were already bethrothed when Maria's father died, and the States General - although in conflict with her - approved of their wedding. One more example: The burgundian troops were vastly superior to the french in the final battle, according to the sources i have found, and not the other way around.
Many wonderful strengths but inefficient storytelling
martin-andersson2213 November 2021
Costumes are fantastic. Locations are fantastic. Casting is fantastic. Acting is really good. Period is wonderful, too few movies from the rennaisance. That it is made of German history is super good. Story is good. The people in history depicted are super interesting. And political correctness is kept in check.
However. Storytelling is extremely inefficient. Every scene is more than twice as long as it needs to be. This series can take 10 minutes to just say person x sent a letter to person y. I am watching this on my computer so I can fix it by setting speed to x 2. But its really a shame since everything else with this miniseries is so good.
However. Storytelling is extremely inefficient. Every scene is more than twice as long as it needs to be. This series can take 10 minutes to just say person x sent a letter to person y. I am watching this on my computer so I can fix it by setting speed to x 2. But its really a shame since everything else with this miniseries is so good.
Magnificent. A Crowning Achievement.
buckwinthrop-160417 March 2022
This little known gem was both a surprise and extraordinary. The two leads acting performance was flawless. The writing, direction and cinematography is both beautiful and effortless. What sets this series apart is the use of the characters native languages, French and German (English subtitles) its a breathtaking production..
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