User reviews

I think this is a truly wonderful film. It centres on the lives of certain families of peasants and their masters in the big house with guards. For me It is a film that goes to the heart but is not romanticised.

It shows an increasing contrast between the peasants working on the land and the masters who enslave them with fear and set them against each other by using them as guards and spies, robbing them of the food they produce.

It becomes increasingly apparent that the tension involved in keeping power and keeping a mass of people subjugated through greed and ambition or just family tradition, and fear if the hatred unleashed if the subjugated people rebel, is not an easy task and contains the seeds of its own destruction.

In showing this dichotomy between the masters and peasants it does not pretend that all bad traits are with the masters., but for me it goes to the heart because it shows that most people want to live by basic values of 'goodness', or 'godliness', of mutual respect and dignity, where people can grow their food, live, love and bring up there families.

For me, although it takes place in one area and centres on one house of masters, it also stands fir any place at any time in the past, present or future.

Also, at a time when even the word 'muslim culture can be immediately linked to terrorism it is really good to see the ordinary people who just want to live work and love and see their children happy.

The actors are wonderful especially the women.

I think it is wonderful to have the opportunity to see films like this from directors around the world and in the original language.

I will be watching more arabic films and more by this director.

There is some good about this show, especially if you are familiar with the culture and the region, The subtitles do not do justice and if you are unable to understand the language you are missing a great deal. The storyline is too long and could have been concluded in half the time. At times the plot is silly and unrealistic and the acting is weak. Regardless of the time period, the way something are presented cheapen the message the show is trying to convey. If you enjoy foreign drama and appreciate lavish architecture, this is a good show to add to your list, but prepare to be patient and tolerate a repeat of very similar scenes on many occasions.

Excellent portrayal of the complexities of human nature and the naivety with which we all allow ourselves to accept cruelty as normal without question. Slavery is and has been practiced the world over. Today there are still those who use wealth and privilege to abuse those born with less and demand of them unearned allegiance. Economic circumstances have changed from the time of the feudal system but human nature remains tied to the class system in regards to respectability and privilege... I'm on episode 42 great casting

Human being in purest form, far from social engineering deformed reality in Hollywood movies now.

I am at episode 10 and cant stop watching! Amazing! It takes you back in time. Acting is on point and the production is breathtaking.

Whoever it was that wrote the review below obviously doesn't know what the hell he or she is talking about. Most likely a white boy who is use to watching Gossip Girl, knowns nothing about International cinema, or Middle Eastern cinema for that matter.

So far, I'm on episode 16, and I can say, so far It's solid. Excellent production, script is good, action and drama is at a steady pass, slowly excelling in each passing episode. It's a long series, so don't expect bullets or a revolt to be flying in the first few episodes. Understand this series is 61 episodes long, the guy below probably watched three minutes of episode 1 then proceeded to chuck his fit, upset it didn't suit his hollywood persona. Eat a fat one.

Addictive from the 1st episode. Great acting and storyline well done to netflix for picking this up. This is a must watch drama with a great cast and superb acting.

You must visit Lebanon and the middle east to understand the culture. We have and have as we have two children that married Lebanese. This is excellent.

Beautiful location and great storyline. Like a great book we didn't want the series to end.

This should have been called the pre-revolution because all episodes are just talking about a revolution. And a lot of meandering. incredible amount of filler scenes. It seems that the writer had not written the story in advance but was rather improvising it episode by episode. That's why it seems disconnected and disjunct. no consistency in characters or behaviors or even a logical storyline. it was also bad taste that they deviated from historical facts. what's wrong with using accurate history? the director on the other hand did an excellent job. And the actors all of them they were wonderful, the acting felt natural and authentic.

This is an attempt at a period drama but despite the lavish sets, the horrible acting just makes it a total waste of time, and very painful to watch. Again, this series must be meant for a very local audience and would not have wide global appeal. Sometimes, it's amazing the level of poor productions so many of the streaming sites pick up for distribution. I guess they get them at a low price as there would be no other reason to stream some of these series.

A beautiful location for a great story that you never want to end.

When I saw this TV show I felt with mixed feelings from the beauty of places to acting abilities and to the plot of the story

Thank you for this amazing TV show

Just finished watching this series.... it's very good the storyline, the love stories, mystery, regret, wronged souls, deception, the lost ones. The setting and the costumes!!!Wow... and it is based on a real rebellion that occured in 1860 Lebanon...or around that time.

Amazing story line, cast, a must see! I can't wait for season 2! Mesmerizing...

This is excellent. Class disitinction Power and wealth. I like the pace and dialogue and the complex relationships. The acting is thoughtful and superb. The age ranges of the men and the deep cultural patterns.