Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- earnest
- romantic
- melodramatic
- historical romance night
- period drama viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as a rote historical romance whose simplified treatment of the Armenian genocide undermines its wartime drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Lillie Rowe falls in love with Ismail Veli despite his position in the Ottoman Imperial Army and her loyalty to American mission figures.
Critics specifically faulted the film for glossing over the Armenian genocide while presenting a Turkish-aligned account of the period.
Lillie's attachment to Ismail is tested against her bond with Jude and the mission's founder as invasion approaches.
Jude operates a remote medical mission within the Ottoman Empire, placing humanitarian work directly in the path of invading forces.
Films like The Ottoman Lieutenant, and why
The Promise
Shared World War I setting, historical romance, and conflict between personal loyalty and political identity.
Atonement
Shared period romance, wartime upheaval, and contested historical memory surrounding the Ottoman Empire.
The English Patient
Shared sweeping historical romance in which love is tested by military conflict and divided loyalties.
Indochine
Shared melodramatic love triangle, exoticized period setting, and romance shaped by imperial violence.
Movie Details
- Director
- Joseph Ruben
- Release Date
- 2017-03-28
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (287)
Cast
- Hera Hilmar
- Michiel Huisman
- Josh Hartnett
- Ben Kingsley
- Haluk Bilginer
- Selçuk Yöntem
- Paul Barrett
- Affif Ben Badra
- Brian Caspe
- Begum Burian
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Ottoman Lieutenant about?
- A headstrong American medical worker enters a dangerous Ottoman frontier where forbidden love collides with wartime loyalty and contested history.
- What is The Ottoman Lieutenant like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Ottoman Lieutenant as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Ottoman Lieutenant violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Ottoman Lieutenant as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Ottoman Lieutenant?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as a rote historical romance whose simplified treatment of the Armenian genocide undermines its wartime drama.
- Which films are like The Ottoman Lieutenant?
- Films with a similar feel include The Promise, Atonement, The English Patient, and Indochine.
- How long is The Ottoman Lieutenant?
- The Ottoman Lieutenant runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Ottoman Lieutenant?
- In United States, The Ottoman Lieutenant is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
