Review of The Promise (2016)

The Promise (2016) is a sweeping historical drama that seeks to shed light on the harrowing events of the Armenian Genocide, blending romance, tragedy, and political intrigue. Directed by Terry George, the film is a poignant attempt to recount a piece of history that remains under-explored in mainstream cinema, while also offering a compelling narrative that revolves around love and survival amidst unspeakable horrors.

Set against the backdrop of the crumbling Ottoman Empire during World War I, The Promise follows the story of Michael (Oscar Isaac), an Armenian medical student who moves to Constantinople to study. There, he becomes entangled in a love triangle with a beautiful Armenian woman, Ana (Charlotte Le Bon), and a pᴀssionate American journalist, Chris (Christian Bale). The film expertly weaves the tension between the characters’ personal relationships and the increasingly violent political landscape, creating a narrative that is both intimate and monumental.

Oscar Isaac shines in the lead role of Michael, bringing a sense of quiet determination to his character, a man torn between love and loyalty to his people. His portrayal of a young man caught in a time of crisis is one of the film’s greatest strengths, as he navigates love, loss, and survival with dignity and strength. Charlotte Le Bon also delivers a strong performance as Ana, whose love for Michael is put to the ultimate test as the world around her descends into chaos. Christian Bale, while playing a less central role than the others, adds depth and sincerity to the role of Chris, a man driven by the desire to expose the truth.

The romance at the heart of The Promise is undeniably moving, but it is not the central focus of the film. The true heart of the movie lies in its depiction of the brutality and inhumanity of the Armenian Genocide. The film does not shy away from showing the horrific consequences of the events, and it powerfully conveys the unimaginable suffering faced by the Armenian people during this dark chapter of history. The atrocities are presented with sensitivity, without exploiting the tragedy, and the film forces viewers to confront the reality of what happened.

Visually, The Promise is stunning. Cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe captures the beauty of the landscapes and the grandeur of the historical settings, but also emphasizes the darker, more sinister aspects of the narrative. The juxtaposition of peaceful scenes and the violence that eventually engulfs the characters creates a stark emotional contrast that enhances the impact of the film.

While the film’s historical accuracy and the portrayal of the genocide are critical, The Promise also falters in some areas. At times, the dialogue can feel overly melodramatic, and the pacing drags during certain sections of the film. Some critics have pointed out that while the story is emotionally resonant, it struggles to fully capture the complexity and depth of the historical events it seeks to portray. Still, the film is a commendable attempt to tell a story that many might not be familiar with, shedding light on the past with sincerity and compᴀssion.

The score, composed by Gabriel Yared, further enhances the emotional weight of the film, with sweeping orchestral music that complements the story’s intense drama. The music serves as an emotional guide throughout the film, underscoring the highs and lows of the characters’ journeys.

In conclusion, The Promise (2016) is a heartfelt and important film that attempts to shine a light on one of the darkest events in history while telling a personal story of love, loss, and survival. While it may not be without its flaws, the film’s strong performances, especially from Oscar Isaac and Charlotte Le Bon, and its unflinching depiction of the Armenian Genocide make it a must-see for those interested in both historical drama and powerful, emotional storytelling. It’s a film that challenges viewers to remember the past, understand its impact, and never forget the promise of justice and remembrance.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.