MELBOURNE, 8 February 2024: For years, I have been hearing about Sikandar (Alexander’s Indian name) and Porus, the Indian king said to have fought him his last battles at Jhelum river. Also, Director Sohrab Modi’s 1941 movie ‘Sikandar’, starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Sohrab Modi, Vanmala, Yakub, Zahur Raja, Shakir, Jilloo…, gave me some idea of the story in the pre TV and OTT days. Since childhood, I have been pondering as to why the young king Alexander was obsessed wanting to take on Persia and then keep going.
Netflix’s ‘Alexander – The Making of a God’ has added to my knowledge and curiosity. The 21st century’s national and global power struggles, to me look, not different from Alexander’s passion or obsession to conquer more lands. The only difference being armies today have much more destructive weapons laced with smart technologies. If only Alexander or his enemies had drones, one wonders the consequences.
Anyway, the series has six episodes – The Boy King, Death or Victory, Face to Face, The Golden Empire, The Living God, and A World Still to Conquer. A 20-year-old king (took over Macedon in 336 BC) spent most of his years in military campaigns, invading Persia (present day Iran) in 344 BC, then invades Egypt (ruled by a a Persian portage), becomes the pharaoh (King) there and then invades Persia to wrap up the campaign and defeats the Persian King Darius. He is somewhere near what today is Afghanistan. And, then come his historical words, ” I have a world to conquer” (last episode).
What happens next is known in history. Probably, another series is needed.
The presence of Greek archaeologist Kalliopi Limneos Papakosta, searching for Alexander’s tomb in Alexandria -Egypt ( founded in 331 BC), adds spice to the series. The reenactments of battles and Alexander’s often contradictory personality are captivating. The series focus is Alexander’s determination against all odds to conquer the Persian empire. As the success comes, so do strains thousands of miles away from home. The life threatening trip through the Sahara desert to the Temple of Adria in Siwa (Egypt) is fascinating. It showcases the young King’s not just to conquer.
In episode 4 (27.53), the captured wife of Persian King is offered Tea. Was there Tea around in those times? There is no mention of Aristotle who was Alexander’s tutor when he was young.
Leaving aside history and facts, this series is a must see because it exposes the hollowness of war and ensuing suffering. We have our own going on in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan..
Directors – Hugh Ballantyne, Stuart Elliott & Mike Slee.
Cast – Buck Braithwaite (Alexander), Mido Hamada (King Darius), Dino Kelly, Nada El Belkasmi, …
Writers – Christopher Bell & Jane Mclean Guerra.
