For many years, Iranian-made historical series were into two categories: they either narrate the religious stories of Arabia and Iraq or, if they are about Iranian history, they focus on dark depictions, portraying governments as oppressive and the people as living in misery and despair. This has amplified the sense of identity loss in a nation, pushing them towards watching foreign series like "The Magnificent Century".
But this series is exactly what caught my attention after years, made me stop watching foreign films and series, and fully immerse myself in it. This series quenches a nation's thirst for authenticity and historical identity. It provides us with a fairer and less biased portrayal of Iranian history-a past that is not so distant and has significantly influenced the current fate of our country. It teaches us not to see everything in black or white; a king can be a gray character, a high-ranking official could be concerned with the rights of the people, the dignity of the nation, and the safety of foreign travelers. This series showcases another side of Iran during those years: economic prosperity, international stature, and societal flourishing. (Just before the interventions of European colonialists in Iran began.)
Though there are flaws in the details. For instance, some actors have had cosmetic surgeries (like Ash Mehrabi); some actors' accents are modern (such as the prison guard in episode seven); or there are issues in set design (like the stagnant and murky water in episode five). However, overall, the depiction of that era is well-executed, and in its own way, it is the first of its kind. The use of computer graphics has made it more captivating and realistic. The makeup is well-done, the costume design is appealing, women are depicted more realistically and without heavy censorship, and the city and market designs are engaging. Even a non-Iranian viewer would be tempted to follow the story of this series (if it has proper English subtitles). And most importantly, the story is patriotic and emotionally moving-a grand narrative that includes smaller subplots, making the viewer curious and engaged.
The story features heroes (which is the most important element): a people's hero, a government hero. Adventure, teenage romance, action, fear, comedy, mystery, human kindness, law, references to famous historical religious figures, and nationalism are well-integrated into the plot.
Iranian history and literature are filled with tales of heroes that, if portrayed correctly, not only resonate with Iranian viewers but also captivate foreign audiences.
If I were to rate this series by today's standards, it would score between 6 and 7. However, considering the available resources and comparable series, I would give it a score of 9.
