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The Fortress (La Commanderie, 2010) Presentation: The Fortress is a hit on French television finally coming to take US viewers on the same riveting journey. In the same tone as Sean Connery’s The Name of the Rose, the series shows the middle ages as a dark and turbulent period when religion ran society and led to tragic results. During the middle ages, an order of religious faithful controlled a fortress in Burgundy. This is the setting of the French TV series The Fortress. This eight episode TV series shows a thrilling story, shot on location at Saone, Loire, Guedelon and in the Yonne regions. The daily routine, hectic as it is, is thrown into further disarray one day, when a high ranking Hospitaller comes to inspect the facilities. Though not an immediate danger, many within the walls feel highly uncomfortable with the situation. What follows this seemingly ordinary inspection is thrillingly played out by a wonderful cast of actors. The Fortress stars Clement Sibony as Captain Thomas Cortmain. The Noble Lady Constanza, who dwells in the castle near the fortress, is played by Louise Pasteau. The medic Elias Sabet is portrayed by Mahen Kamoun, and the leading authority of the fortress, Roger de Neuville, is brilliantly brought to life by the acting of Carlo Brandt. Synopsis: Episode 1 In 1375, the Hundred Years War has ravaged all of France. The bloody war against the English dynasty has spread poverty and terror throughout the land, leaving the innocent to fend for themselves. The only safe haven is the Assier Fortress of the St. John’s of Jerusalem Order of Hospitallers. This fortress is located in Borgone, on the pilgrim’s road to Compostella, putting it within easy access for all who may need its protection. T To many, the fortress represents a place of sacred purity, but the reality is far from that; even holy orders must pay the bills, and the Order must fund itself through taxes and charging for the goods and services it delivers. Complicating matters, many corrupt functionaries receive money in exchange for various favors. When the time comes for an inspection by the lead Hospitaller, the guilty must rush to destroy the evidence. Episode 2 Captain Thomas Cortemain (Clement Sibony) is sent to jail, while his accomplice, Gérard (Antoine Cholet), is rescued by his rich family. Thomas has no other recourse but to make a deal, asking for his release in exchange for a favor. The agreed upon price is that he will spread a secret that entraps the leading Templar official, Guillaume. Thomas sets to his work, but for extra insurance, he approaches the ex-mercenary named Le Breton (Franck Manzoni) for help. Le Breton may be more than Thomas can handle, however. Episode 3 More of the Fortress’ secrets are revealed, as we learn that, before his arrest, Captain Thomas Cortemain (Clement Sibony) had been busy working on a mysterious inscription which was somehow related to the Templar’s cache of gold. He accidentally learned the identity of the lead conspirators, and learned that the gold is tied to a strange promise made to the Papacy. Meanwhile, Elias (Maher Kamo) the medic is pulled into an argument about theology with the Capelli. To his chagrin, the argument goes badly, leading to an unpleasant situation with a family of peasants. Episode 4 A quiet procession is violently disrupted by Breton (Franck Manzoni) and his gang of thugs. Geraud (Antoine Cholet) decides to fight back on behalf of the local people. Episode 5 Hugo Avene's (Antoine Basler) funeral is further disrupted by the untimely arrival of the Duke of Anjou (Scali Delpeyrat). As the chaos unfolds, Geraud (Antoine Cholet) must persuade his allies in a nearby diocese to go to the Fortress. Episode 6 Constance (Louise Pasteau) decides to take Anjou (Scali Delpeyrat) to the temple. Meanwhile, the arrival of a man known only as Mathieu shocks the people of the Fortress. He claims that he is the husband of one of the maids, but, mysteriously, nobody recognizes him: not even his supposed wife Catherine (Lisa Schuster). Is it just a case of mistaken identity, or is he an imposter? Episode 7 In the fortress, even love is complicated. Geraud (Antoine Cholet) is irresistibly attracted to a young sculptor named Laurent (Nicolas Gonzales) who has recently come to the fortress. As this forbidden love unfolds, Thomas and Elijah finally find the Templar's lost treasure. Their victory is short lived, however, as Constance (Louise Pasteau) interrupts them at the worst possible moment. Episode 8 The discovery that the Templar treasure is nothing more than scrolls angers the Duke. Captain Thomas (Clement Sibony) is sent to prison and his men tortured until death. Meanwhile, the forbidden attraction between Géraud (Antoine Cholet) and Laurent (Nicholas Gonzalez) leads to a bloody outcome. |
