BBC viewers can discover epic historical drama | Films | Entertainment

A riveting historical drama, hailed as being on par with ‘There Will be Blood’ and ‘Gladiator’, is now available for free streaming.

Cinema enthusiasts are encouraged to explore the lesser-known masterpiece ‘The Promised Land’, which boasts an almost flawless rating.

This period piece hit the big screen just last year and can now be streamed without additional charges on BBC iPlayer.

This accessibility allows viewers to easily uncover why this film has garnered such high acclaim.

The Danish production even made it onto the shortlist for Best International Film at last year’s Academy Awards.

Now available for streaming, it’s outperforming heavyweights like Top Gun Maverick and Gladiator II in the US on Paramount+.

Set in 18th-century Denmark, the narrative centres around war hero Captain Ludvig Kahlen, portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen, known for his role as Le Chiffre in ‘Casino Royale’, reports Surrey Live.

Kahlen embarks on a mission to cultivate a vast, barren land where nothing seems to thrive. This stunning yet inhospitable region is under the iron fist of Frederik De Schinkel, a ruthless nobleman who recognises Kahlen as a threat to his authority.

As settlers begin to establish a community, De Schinkel vows revenge, setting the stage for a brutal showdown between the two men.

While Mikkelsen portrays Kahlen, a character based on a real historical figure, the film’s narrative, though broadly accurate, is reportedly embellished for dramatic effect. The movie has garnered an impressive 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics lauding Mikkelsen’s portrayal as one of his finest.

Audiences have been equally effusive in their acclaim, with one viewer exclaiming: “Outstanding, epic drama on par with movies like There Will Be Blood or Gladiator. More slow burn, more harrowing yet equal in weight and detail. Great script, direction, characters, cinematography. The best movie I saw from 2024.”

Another chimed in: “There are perfect movies out there…this is one of them. Five abundantly beautiful emotionally moving stars.”

And yet another viewer enthused: “By far the best movie I’ve seen in the past years – it’s stunning stuff and Mads remains the single most watchable actor. I don’t usually like subtitled movies, but every movie with Mads that has subs I can say I hardly noticed reading them – the movies are THAT GOOD.”

The film is being hailed as a must-see for aficionados of historical epics and gritty westerns, as one early viewer remarked: “A dark and absolutely compelling period drama/Western. In this remarkable work of Danish cinema, the nature of barbarism and hostility is exposed, with the land as its protagonist, and the terrible price that must be paid by those who dare to proclaim themselves masters and lords of it is revealed.”

The critic hailed: “An absorbing and intelligent film. Promised Land is a relentless and raw story, with a theme that is disturbingly familiar, maintaining a constant rhythm that seems to anticipate an imminent explosion, in addition to having impressive performances, where the always exceptional Mads Mikkelsen stands out. I highlight its superb cinematography, as one of the most dazzling aspects of the film, the savagery and visceral nature of its scenes, but above all, the convincingness of the plot.”

The Promised Land is streaming on BBC iPlayer.