User reviews

2/10 AT MAXIMUM! The only reason I don't rate it 1/10 is because of the great work of Deyan Zhekov who really tried his best and gave his heart to the production. The costumes and music were also good, but the rest... Most of the actors had no idea what 'acting' means. Most scenes were cringe, a lot of stuff did not make sense, the story is poorly shown, the battles were abysmal. None of the characters had any build-up, things just 'happened'. Btw, no one knows how Botev exactly died, yet Genchev decided to re-write history. Absolutely unacceptable.

You have to forbid this pro-russian proxy Maxim Genchev. It is obvious that he did not learn from the failed production of Levski and yet it was decided it is a good idea to give him another great Bulgarian historical character like Botev who he literally killed as well.

Oh, and by the way, the absolutely WORST actor of them all is... guess what? The director's son - Matey Genchev as Nikola Obretenov. I am speechless.

Maxim Genchev should be forbidden from directing any movies. Especially about great heroes like Botev and Levski. This poor excuse of a movie is an insult. Deyan Zhekov and Niki Iliev were actually good but the movie is very poorly directed unfortunately. I am shocked that this movie was even released. The direction was abysmal and it seemed like the filmmakers had no clear vision for the story they were trying to tell. The editing was choppy and jarring, making it nearly impossible to follow along with the plot. I was extremely disappointed and cannot recommend this to anyone. It was a complete waste of time.

A total tragedy, absolute bad acting, as well as the filming. Far from the history of this great Bulgarian. The only purpose of this tragedy is the absorption of funds! This semblance of a film has no place in appreciation and should be taken off the screen and distributed immediately! A mockery with the Bulgarian cinema. Unworthy actors and directors qualities!!

Maxim Genchev...aren't you ashamed of what nonsense you have created for money???

How can you tarnish the name of Botev in such a way? You should be excommunicated from everywhere, go to some circus and hand out popcorn to those who you think are actors! Shame and shame again!

If this film dares to take 9$ and two whole hours of your precious time, then, even though I'm not a part of the crew behind this masterpiece, I dare to apologise on their behalf for taking your money and time.

2/10 - for the job opportunities created during its making.

This director has to be forbidden by law to make history movies as he has done so much harm already that everyone is talking about his movies in negative aspect. It is really worthless to talk about actors or anything else but the whole atmosphere and historic relevance are close to zero and are a disgrace for such glorified heroes as Botev or as was the case before - Levski. We want to know really where the funding for this movie comes from and why the president's daughter has a role and many other things. The movies has brought a storm of complains and rightfully, I believe this guy should be forbidden to make and cast over public television his movies about Bulgarian history as he is a disgrace.

The joke of a director strikes again with another hero from Bulgarian pantheon. After "Levski" failure the person MG decided to do it again, this time with "Botev". Everything about this "movie" is poor and stingy. Everything. I don't know how this person MG finds funding for it's "creations" but maybe he is very good with marketing or has very strong ties to government funds. There's no way someone with clear mind after watching Levski to give a penny to this dude to make another one. But somehow it happened unfortunately. MG should be convicted for making fun of Bulgarian national symbols and delivering such poor result it is almost unwatchable. Shame, shame shame...

It is a great story, but unfortunately very poorly directed. I expect a lot more of that movie. If you are not familiar with the Bulgarian history it will be very hard to figure it out what is happening and why is happening.

Please don't look at it, it's physical pain on a level that sticking needles under your fingernails can't compare to. There is no logic, my eyes hurt, everything hurts, my head hurts, I am ashamed that I speak the language these people communicate in. I constantly feel that in order to grasp what is going on I have to watch 4 films, read 7 biographies and 19 Turkish regulations and farms to grasp what is going on. Botev is constantly furious, I don't know why, he spat at least 7 times in the last 30 minutes of the film and I felt really bad. Please Please spare yourself and devote it to something usefull such as learning the top 10 most usefull knots in the world.

2514 RIO, 7/8 HC, 2/8 M.

Pathetic, ignorant and insulting second attempt of this "director" to twist Bulgarian history. Parody is the best compliment i can give to this waste of time of a film. The acting would be funny if the subject wasn't making it sad. Maxim Genchev, a person understandingly titled Director, should just stick to doing adverting spots or even better - do the film society in Bulgaria a favour and retire.

This so called movie is an insult of Bulgarian history coming out in a very controversial moment and obviously influenced to serve Russian interest and propaganda in our country.

Acting of most of the cast is suh a joke that if the subject of the movie was different it could have been a nice parody.

Im giving 10/10 only because of the amazing acting skills and emotion of the person who plays Botev and a few other professional actors in the movie. Only because i want more people to see the few talented man in this movie and work with them more. They made the movie actually "Fine".

Amazing play from the PROFESSIONAL ACTORS in the movie. Bravo to the person who wrote the music. The music gave so much light and emotion to some super stupid scenes with lack of meaning and director skills. Great colour edit. The rest lacks meaning, good directors and is very confusing.

Great main characters except the person playing Obretenov. He must quit "acting". He ruined most scenes. Bad director skills also. I think the few professional actors in this movie actually made it good. The director must be forever THANKFUL to them but not to himself. Without such a masterpiece actor like the person who plays Botev - (Deyan) nobody would like it. Bravo DEYAN! This movie we may forget but your character won't be forgotten. We wish to see more of your skills and few of the other professional actors who played alongside you. Hope you bump on a better director next time. God bless you! And God bless us with better movies!

A total tragedy, absolute bad acting, as well as the filming. Far from the history of this great Bulgarian. The only purpose of this tragedy is the absorption of funds! This semblance of a film has no place in appreciation and should be taken off the screen and distributed immediately! A mockery with the Bulgarian cinema. Unworthy actors and directors qualities!!

Maxim Genchev...aren't you ashamed of what nonsense you have created for money???

How can you tarnish the name of Botev in such a way? You should be excommunicated from everywhere, go to some circus and hand out popcorn to those who you think are actors! Shame and shame again!

I am sorry that I have seen this move.

My opinion is we have lost our time. I have invited friends to have a fun together and that our children to learn a little bit more about our own Bulgarian history and culture but we all are very disappointed. Of course we had great expectations but our hopes remained empty ...

Great marketing and advertising, but very modest performance excepting music and decors!

An unpleasant impression is made by the fact that the story of the great Botev is presented rather unreliable. According to my friends, even filled with falsifications and unverified facts tending to glorify Russian Tsarism.

Our facit:

A lot of money for advertising but very modest quality.

Hristo Botev is a film about Bulgarian traditions, Bulgarian culture and art. The saga traces the story of a young revolutionary, Botev, until his death. Well done to Maxim Genchev for managing to make a beautiful, Bulgarian film about our national hero. The great shots, the music of Hesychia, the Bulgarian bagpipes, make-up and costumes, everything is painted down to the smallest detail. A beautiful film, a Bulgarian film, a film about love for the fatherland.

Accurate to what is widely known as the story of Botev, very good acting, great filming locations, very good costumes, good soundtrack. Some of Botev's poetry is incorporated very well. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

This movie is a masterpiece for me. Such a short budget, collected from donations of the Bulgarian people, and it gives such a strong emotional message. A boy from the people- humble and pure, afraid but yet so brave after all. Loving husband, loving father, loving son but most of all- loving patriot. I believe only someone who doesn't have a good connection to his heart and soul would not like it. Thank you, Mr. Genchev!

Thank you for this extraordinary experience of watching movie with my soul!

I love the music, I love the brilliant play of Deyan Zhekov! I love the amazing resemblance of the actors with the real historical figures.

The 19th century was characterized by such phenomena as industrialization, increased urbanization, and the flourishing of colonialism, and on the other hand, by unprecedented achievements of science, culture, and art. Within the century, a huge number of scientists, inventors, adventurers and great politicians have contributed to the progress and well-being of mankind. The unique cultural heritage of the 19th century includes the masterpieces of some of the greatest musicians, artists, architects, writers and poets. Black the color of the night, has inspired only our legendary portfolio of cast and crew. This dark hue is now available as a new genaration divergent and allegiant , far far away in small kingdom called Bulgaria, a wave of inspiration has already start to draw sounds/Hertz. It's musical enjoyment in its purest and most involving form..!?