The Agony of Byzantium

00:00:04 - L'Agonie de Byzance - directed by Louis Feuillade

00:03:00 From the height of the ramparts, the people of Byzantium fearfully saw the enormous army of the Muslims advance.

00:03:44 The Emperor Constantine, followed by his court, designated to each his post for combat, consoled the wives, and encouraged the men.

00:04:41 The next morning, the Turks began their attack.

00:06:14 On May 26, Mahomet II summoned his generals: Byzantium must be taken in three days.

00:07:44 In the name of Allah, the imans and the muezzins were going to promise Mahomet's paradise to the ones who would fall in battle.

00:08:57 Forsaken by the Christian world, the Byzantines followed their emperor to the basilica on the ramparts.

00:11:29 In Saint Sophia, Isidore, the Cardinal Legate of the Pope and an accomplished warrior, called for the protection of heaven. But God was deaf ...

00:13:13 While the fires of the Turkish camp burned red in the distance, the emperor ordered the last procession of the Virgin Protector.

00:15:07 Returning to the palace, Constantin asked for absolution for the faults of his court. It was the hour when they abandoned themselves to final judgment.

00:18:48 The next morning, the general assault began.

00:22:07 At noon, Mahomet made a triumphant entry into the city.

00:24:20 The women were chosen to be sold under the steps of Islam.

00:26:17 By the orders of the Sultan, they searched for the body of Constantin.

00:28:19 And the head of the last emperor of Byzantium was taken before Mahomet II.

00:29:20 End