User reviews

I will state up front that I have not seen this film. I write, not a review per se, but a warning: the Turkish government employs an army of trolls whose seeming sole purpose in life is to attack any film, book, play, etc. That dares to speak the truth regarding the 1915-1922 genocide of the Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians. In a particularly egregious example of this, reviewer "yavuzco" claims that Izmir (the city known as Smyrna until the 1930s, and was populated primarily by Greeks and Armenians) "was always Turkish," as though the 1000-year reign by the Greek Byzantines never happened. This is evil nonsense, on a par with Holocaust denial. If the Turkish propagandists are ignored, you will likely get a far better feel for how good the film is. I know as a result of their idiocy, I'm now going to watch a film I might not have otherwise.

Lots of claims of inaccuracies but it seems that those claims are wrong according to Wikipedia: Burning_of_Smyrna. Also, the claim they Smyrna was always Turkish is not true, it was founded by Ancient Greeks according to Wikipedia: Smyrna. The movie is worth watching in its own right without having to get into politics. The set is beautiful and the story compelling. The music and discussion at the end can be skipped. Some acting was not the best but overall it was good. The costumes were on par. It really captured what it was like to live there at that time. Yes, it was told from the Greek point of view but what do expect from a Greek movie.

Smyrna is an intense movie, i can not rate the historical information but is a joy to watch. First of all its the movie with the highest budget in the history of greek production movies but don't expect Hollywood results. The whole movie is based on Mimi's family and the life of Greeks in Smyrna. Watching the movie you will notice some plot holes but the acting is spectacular and the final result above average. For me the biggest problem of the movie is the lack of consistency throughout the storyline and the unsuccessful finishing of the too many themes described. The ending seems hasty and due to this Mimi fails to deliver the family pain she is going through. To conclude Smyrna is a great emotional movie and good enough to deliver the traditions of the city and the great role of women in it.

This is a great, very well-done movie for those who are interested in this dark moment of the city. Notwithstanding the details of the fictional characters, the historical portrayal of what happened is pretty accurate: the abandonment of the Greek army by the Allied forces and the support, instead, of the Turks (who were fighting against them in WWI); the political and civil strife within the Greek mainland; the peaceful (for the most part) cohabitation of all ethnic groups before the start of the war; the destruction inflicted on the local population by the Greek army as they were advancing inland; the purposeful setting of fire by Turks (even American witnesses have written about this); the unacceptable and horrifying refusal of all third countries (including Western powers to help the Greek population that was cornered in the seafront; the massacre, rape, and other atrocities perpetrated against Greek and Armenian residents by militia group of Turks as well as the looting and destruction of properties before the Turkish army intervened.

I went to see Smyrna with great trepidation. I was worried I would get too upset. I did lose it. The movie evokes a time and place that pains me for all the hope that was Smyrna, and what the city could have become. The film is a reflection of an opportunity lost due to nationalistic and religious ideologies clashing with the lives of people, until these people were annihilated. The vision of a new Turkey did not include the storied inhabitants that were outside the mold Ataturk had cast.

All 4 of my grandparents were born in Asia Minor with 1000s year's history. All the bones of my ancestors are still there. Their bones nourish the food grown there. When you visit Turkey, in the countryside you will not see any graveyards with my family's names nor the churches where their sacraments were performed.

My father's family left Aidinio (now Aydin) thru Smyrna after my father's oldest brother, barely 18, was shot dead by regional irregulars.

I have heard and read my aunts and uncles stories and diaries. The movie is a faithful representation of the thoughts and events. My father's father was shot by the lead hand, who was Turkish, after he handed him the keys and asked him to take care of their orchard until they returned. Thankfully he lived. I know the plot is of a wealthy family from inside Smyrna, but the ethnic cleansing happened throughout Anatolia.

The port scenes made me cry because my aunt who was a toddler was lost over a gang plank and drowned in Smyrna harbor. The horrors of the port were nowhere as gruesome as what really took place.

After you see the movie, go out and learn for yourselves what took place. Although Ernest Hemingway was not present during the burning of Smyrna, he wrote for the Toronto Star and filed stories for the paper as many others have. As well as writing "On the Quai at Smyrna".

I want to thank the Producers of the movie for their courage and dedication to bringing this story forward and opening the eyes of some while others keep them tightly closed. Have no fear, open your eyes.

I have never seen any historically accurate film before. I think Mimi Denissi wrote an excellent scenario with a brilliant cast. Cruel and touching.

The violence that took place in Smyrna in 1922, in reality, was much more horrific than what the film shows us.this is what those who experienced the events at that time say. These stories have been passed down to the next generations and we must not forget them. After all, there are also photos of the uprooting of the Greeks who lived in Asia. No one can dispute that.

Great job Mrs. Denissi! This movie must be watched by all over the world. They must know about these. Don't hear the turkish propaganda.

It was a waste of time and money. The writing has no consistant and it is irrational. Main character's ( filio- Mimi Denisi) acting skills was poor. Her acting was all about talking and telling us her emotions and intensions, but she never actually acted. Most of the characters are talking as if they are reading the headlines of the newspapers.

"Smyrna," "Smyrna, My Beloved," also known as "Smyrna, Agapimeni Mou" commemorates the 100th anniversary of the destruction of Smyrna.

A century after the catastrophe of Smyrna comes to life a moving drama about a Greek woman whose family diary recounts the 1922 burning of the cosmopolitan city of Smyrna where Greeks, Armenians, Arabs, Jews, and Turks once lived together harmoniously.

The legendary actress Mimi Denissi is the creative force behind the masterpiece. The film is based on her play, which ran in Athens for an astonishing three seasons and was seen by more than one million viewers. She co-wrote the script and stars in the film.

As someone with roots from Smyrna, this movie shares so many common stories with those that my ancestors have passed down for generations about the atrocities that happened 100 year ago. The film was made with stunning imagery and remarkable historical accuracy.

Unfortunately Mimi Denissi ruins the movie with her inability to act. Cinema doesn´t suit her. Its so sad because the story is really amazing. I wonder, why she put herself in the leading role? And how the others didn't tell her that she is not the right fit for the leading role. Of course it's her movie, which makes it quite cocky to put yourself in the leading role and stand out all the time during the movie.

It's a good movie and worth a watch. Acting is ok. Shows violence and sexual scene. Highlights the tension between Greeks and Turks, and the unjust Turkish occupation of Smyrna, which eventually led to the city's destruction. After the Turkish army invades Smyrna, Greece, the Turkish army massacres countless Greek and Armenian residents making the rest refugees. A darker moment in history.

*Beware of the Turkish propaganda thriving in this comments section though. Sadly this always the case with any mention of Greek or Armenian.. Odd that Erdogan still uses this time frame as a reference and veiled threat towards Greeks and Armenians today. All I can say is you can't rewrite history, but we sure as heck can keep it there. No one wants this again in any direction.

This movie creates a lot of emotion. It kept us on our toes. It has an historical aspect to it from multiple points of view (English, Greek, American, Ottoman and Turkish), which the production does a great job of including. I am separating the Ottoman point of view from Turkish one, since Ottomans then included Greeks, Armenians, Turks, Kurds and Jews, and their point of view was completely different than all the rest as depicted in the movie (like Halil's dad and Dimitris' brother).

Nationalism is bad everywhere and atrocities did happen.

Acting was pretty good with the exception of Mimi Denisi whose acting towards the end was kind of flat.

This movie's narrative is similar to the stories my displaced grandparents would tell. My family even has the deeds of land from Smyrna. I would advise some history reading for the nationalist haters out there. A quick search would show Izmir's history. Izmir/Smyrna had a huge Greek population since its founding (2500 years ago) up to 1922. Please note to the Nationalists that this is a movie.

An amazing, deeply touching film and historically accurate that tells the very sad story of a woman and her family that lived like kings and everything was ruined in an instant. Beautiful performances, great visual effects and a movie effort that Greece needed for a long time. A great film that leaves you impressed and sad by the real facts that can many times affect you more than tales of fantasy. My favorite performance in that film was Giannis Vogiatzis as the grandfather Polykarpos. It's incredible seeing a 95year old man act so fine. Really love this man.

Unfortunately all "lights" were at mimi ntenisi but in the wrong way... 2/3 of the movie was just her wearing amazing clothes and taking tea in beautiful staged places. Tanweer focused badly on how much money that movie cost, by not letting any slight detail be unnoticed... That made big part of the movie boring. I put 2 stars and not 1 because the editing and special effects were amazing. Protagonist performance was not that amazing.... Her co-stars were way more talented but they didn't have the opportunity to be seen more.

This movie was very well made and gave a glimpse into the events that occurred. What happened to the Greek and Armenian people of Smyrna was a genocide and should not be forgotten.

The first party of the movie was acceptable. The historical facts like the betrayel of the Western community and even the Greek government, joining the Ottoman Greeks to the Greek army, relations between the Greeks and Turks, etc etc were made the movie interesting. However the second part was simply turned into a cheap propoganda and the distortion of the history facts, even the numbers mentioned at the end of the movie were not in line with what has probably happened. I would not expect to watch a Greek movie with a Turkish point of view which has another sad story. So, I do not want to go into the details, but the second part shows the irregular chetes, not the regular Turkish army, however the city was captured by the army. The fire started days after the Turkish army came to the city. Why does an army burn the city after they capture whilst hundreds of Anatolian towns and villages were completly burned down by the retrieving Greek army? Anyway, those were hard times for both sides, but if you consider, even Venizelos has nominated Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to the Nobel peace prize. I wonder if the fanatics do know about it!! I think it is the time for both parts try to understand and accept the past. Look at the relations between the WWII countries.

Very good production with very correct coverage of the historic events of the Asia Minor tragedy of the 1920ties.

Acting of Mimi Denissi could have been a bit better, but overall definitely a movie to see.

Nice detail about the family cookbook that continues its story - for the new generations. In order not to repeat the tragedies of the past.

Tragic destruction of one civilization and place of harmony leaves the spectator in true despair and bitter sadness. Some of the moments at the beginning of the movie could have been transformed into "The Passion of the Christ"-style events that could make the agony at the end of the movie more personalized for the individuals who tragically perished.

Events mentioned in the movie were historically correct, albeit even more tragic because of it.

A movie that needs to be seen.

Highly recommended.

The movie shows in careful detail how things happened there. It is not politically biased and it orchestrated in a very good way. Really hot deep into the movie and I had a lot of emotions after it. Generally the job done is perfect for a Greek production and I loved it.

Only one thing I say! This film should be nominated for Oscar foreign language and win it! Greece has brilliant actors! Love this film! Loved it! Recommend to see it!

Although the story and the acting of the rest of the actors was interesting and touching, the exaggerated focus on Mimi Denisi and her extremely poor acting destroyed the film. It was really annoying seeing her in every scene and at some points her acting was so amateurish that it was ridiculous!

Nevertheless, the story is based on the true events of 1922 and the fire in Smyrna. It depicts the brutality and the violence of the Turks against the Greeks and how the Greeks suffered! It provokes feelings of bitterness and pain and for one more time it makes us see how fanaticism and war condemn the human race to destruction.

This is a historical movie recalling the prosperity and fall of Smyrna, a cosmopolitan Greek majority city of the early 20th century in the Ottoman Empire. Its tragic destruction led 350.000 Greeks to death or refugeeism. An excellent and expensive production that succeeds in maintaining historical accuracy.

I am in this! So I can't review it. I loved the script- co written with Martin Sherman.

This film adapted from the hugely successful stage play by Mimi Denissou.

Couldn't fly out to Athens for the premiere Dec23 because of Covid restrictions.

I loved the crew.- multi lingual most of them. Thanks be.

I am moved and socked by the tragic events of Smyrna's catastrophe and of what and how the situation got at that point. I' m greek and my mother's roots are from Smyrna, but never really realized the amount and importance of these events till I watched the movie. The movie seems to present the facts with objectivity through the fictional story and also the emotions of many people despite their race. It' s also very overwhelming and frustrating thinking this kind of events are actually happening till today...

The horrific destruction of this once beautiful, multicultural city is depicted in this film. It is well made and immersive, transporting the viewer to a different era. It is a passionately told, multilingual, multicultural story that will move anyone who understands the history to tears. Revisionists cannot erase the atrocities committed against the Greeks and Armenians of Asia Minor. Films like this one shine a light on those responsible and it makes them uncomfortable, as it should. There are many lessons to be learned from the past so that the same mistakes are not repeated. I hope this film prompts more people to learn about this event and that it inspires more writing, films and art of its kind.

I urge you to disregard the reviews and give this film a chance. Unfortunately, politics and nationalistic extremism have overtaken the ratings resulting in severely biased negative reviews. A historically necessary film depicting a reality all too often buried and forgotten. This movie offers powerful acting that takes you on multilingual journey to a beautiful city that once prospered, and the subsequent events (and characters) that led to its brutal and barbaric demise. You are transported to a time and place that most of of us have never and will never know, and that alone is worth two hours of your time.

This is one of the movies that can only be characterized as "lost chance". A lost chance for a horrible story to be told, a lost chance for people to learn what happened almost 100 year ago at the shores of Asia Minor. It is so bad that most likely it will create a negative sentiment to the outsider.

First and foremost the movie is completely build around the main actress. She speaks, she is the main person of the frame in such a way that everybody else is lost. Therefore, there is no character arch, no development, you cannot identify with anybody. Everything is painfully slow, painfully bland and pretentious like the director needed to fill 45 minutes to an hour of film in order to arrive to the bloody climax of the event. So we have two films. The boring part with few historical hints that you can easily miss unless if you are a pro in history and the other half that aims to the emotions of the viewer. The second part is not bad for the likes of the Greek cinema but as the first part is wasted, it can create equal negative sentiments form those who can claim that it presents only the Greek side ( I don't but my opinion here is beyond the point).

Last but not least the movie is an insult to the actual Greek history. It tries to do justice to both fractions of the Greek politics back then. To those who brought Greece close to the Greek unification and to those who did their best to cancel it and eventually were responsible for the disaster. History has been written regarding this episode and trying to take equal distances from the Monarchy and create heroes out of the incompetent idiots who continued the war despite their promises to end it, is ridiculous. Movies and stories are written with strong messages either pro or against. If you try to stay in the fence you end up with nothing. Like this movie.