Apteeker Melchior

I was much looking forward to this hyped-up "new milestone of Estonian film-making" that this film was supposed to be... sadly, was also much disappointed. This film is trying to be an all-in-one - a crime story, a historical film, a gory horror story and also a love story... but, sadly, fails to be any of these. I admit, it is visually stunning - the views of Old Tallinn are breathtaking and, to every last detail, seem to be historically accurate (at least to an average Estonian viewer that I am, with limited historical knowledge). As it was shot in actual city locations around Estonia, a lot of effort went into turning the streets into a medieval setting. My favorite shot is a moonlight view of a street in Old Tallinn... that is a gem indeed. So, this film is a success as a historical depiction of Old Tallinn, that is its greatest achievement.

Some acting performances were also solid, e.g. A loud and rowdy mayor Marko Matvere in a supporting role of Spanheim and also Maarja Johanna Mägi as Keterlyn (amazing green eyes). Leading role, Melchior Wakenstede, played by Märten Metsaviir was quite one-dimensional, however (the book character is much more interesting).

This is where my positive comments end, sadly. The crime story is not something that would keep any modern viewer at the edge of their seats... yawn... it isn't intricate or exquisite or mystical as it is in the book, it's a clumsy wobbling through random lucky strikes, I don't see a cunningly clever detective, but just a random bloke stumbling upon clues.

As far as trying to be a romance, this is an epic failure. Sorry, but I don't understand what this relationship between Melchior and Katerlyn is supposed to be - the viewer is left puzzled about what did or didn't happen between them. There is no believable chemistry, no romantic connection happening, no development of a real love story... it looks like a "friends with benefits" situation at best... convenient enough since she already kind of lives with him... why not take advantage... no pursuit at all... lame and boring... double yawn... An abrupt turn of the female leading character at the end of the film, where, out a modest helper boy who's trying one's best at blending into the background she suddenly turns into a diva - sorry, but it wasn't believable in any way.

As for gore... yes, the viewer gets a share of bloody scenes with severed heads, flies buzzing around corpses and even a truly realistically depicted leper, but that is it.. just the visual effects, but no real tension building up to those scenes or following them... I just didn't buy the horror story or mystery thriller or whatever it was they were trying to aim at. Triple yawn...

The soundtrack... nothing stands out if I try to think back to the music... just background music, nothing special. All in all... I guess I was maybe mildly entertained, and if I hadn't had any high expectations, perhaps this would have been a slightly better experience.

You get what you get in first 10 minutes or so; from then on it's just mediaeval locations and some lukewarm attempts at excitement or comedy. The story never really goes anywhere and doesn't involve the viewer. I found myself thinking other stuff during the screening.

This is a new high in Estonian cinema from a quality standpoint. The sets are believable, the backdrop of old Tallinn is stunning. In this sense it knows its strengths.

I also cannot fault the performances. Melchior is well cast as well as his apprentice and most of the powerful adversaries/allies he meets.

The main drawback is that Elmo Nüganen as a director probably hasn't met a trope he doesn't love. This was as evident in his last war epic "1944" as it is here. The most obvious one being the apprentice-turned-beautiful-love interest. Bonus points if NOBODY besides our wise protagonist - and everybody in the movie thater - doesn't understand that.

I would definately suggest seeing this - the sets, the actors as well as most of the storyline does merit checking it out. For a more jaded viewer - don't expect to be surprised much.

Melchior the Apothecary: Melchior is an Apothecary in medieval Tallinn,, he's also good at solving mysteries. He tracked down the deranged leper who single handedly slaughtered Melchior's father. So when a famous knight is murdered the city Sheriff deputises the awesome Apothecary. The knight had defeated and slain the Baltic pirates who had infested the sea for so long, now he had been decapitated and coins put in his mouth. This is a mystery which involves the Teutonic Knights as well as lost treasures of the Knights Templar. The murders continue as Melchiot has to contend with a hunchback friar and an incompetent builder, he also has a newly arrived boy intent on becoming his apprentice. There are elements of black comedy here which leaven a dark tale. Life is cheap and those who bring bad news are punished, the maid who found the knight's body is whipped, Colourful costumes are worn but the city is dirty and even many of the rich burghers are unwashed. Red herrings abound but if you may close attention you will elicit clues. There are elements of Shakespeare here - nobody notices that a male is really a female in disguise and it also has a touch of The Name of the Rose. The first in a trilogy involving this Medieval sleuth. Directed by Elmo Nüganen, Screenplay by Elmo Nüganen and Olle Mirme, based on the novel by Indrek Hargla. 7.5/10.

I had a chance to see this movie in theaters when it first came out, I've since had a lot of time to think about it. The first few minutes really leave you in awe, and have you at the edge of your seat, the story is set up very well. Things like the cinematography are very impressive, and the casting is also quite decent. About half an hour in, the story gets convoluted, you're more confused than really interested in the story. Character names are easy to forget, plot points from the beginning are completely useless by the second half. Individual scenes work great without context, but put all together it's an incoherent mess. The movie also felt the need to shove in a pointless hetero romance that had no real impact on the story so I don't see the point of that. I like parts of this movie a lot, and I can see how much passion and hard work was put into it, but actually watching it is a bore.

Visually stunning medieval movie with a frustrating and boring story.