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[ Na Żelaznym Koniu Jadę: Gdy Przybywają Husaria Skrzydlatych ] On An Iron Horse I Ride: When The Winged Hussars Arrive: [ Film | Historical Drama / War ]

Main Character: Polish King John III Sobieski

Summary:
"On An Iron Horse I Ride: When The Winged Hussars Arrive" is an epic historical drama set during the dramatic events of the Siege of Vienna in 1683. The film centers around the intense struggle between the Ottoman Empire and a united European coalition, showcasing the bravery and determination of those involved.

The story begins with the Ottoman Empire's meticulous preparations for the siege, driven by their strategic aspirations. Meanwhile, Vienna, a prized target due to its control over trade routes, braces itself for the imminent attack. Count Ernst Rüdiger von Starhemberg leads the defense of the city, facing overwhelming odds and imminent destruction.

The narrative introduces Polish King John III Sobieski, bound by treaty obligations, who organizes a relief expedition to Vienna. However, tensions arise between the Polish and German forces, threatening the unity of the European coalition. Sobieski's leadership skills and experience in fighting the Ottomans become crucial in rallying the diverse troops.

As the Ottoman forces lay siege to Vienna, the defenders face numerous challenges, including Ottoman sappers demolishing sections of the city walls. The Viennese respond with underground tunneling to intercept the placement of gunpowder. The film emphasizes the determination and sacrifices of the defenders as they prepare to defend the inner city.

"On An Iron Horse I Ride" reaches its climax as the relief army, led by Sobieski, arrives on the outskirts of Vienna. The film highlights the suspense and anticipation as the Polish cavalry, including the legendary Winged Hussars, emerges from the forest. Sobieski's decisive cavalry charge becomes a pivotal moment, shattering the Ottoman battle lines and driving them into retreat.

The battle scenes are visually stunning, showcasing the grandeur and chaos of 17th-century warfare. The film captures the intensity and bravery of the soldiers on both sides, as well as the dramatic consequences of their actions.

In the aftermath of the battle, the film explores the significance of the victory for Vienna and the wider European landscape. It delves into the tensions and rivalries among the victorious allies, the division of spoils, and the long-term consequences for the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburgs.

"On An Iron Horse I Ride: When The Winged Hussars Arrive" is a captivating historical drama that combines thrilling action sequences, complex characters, and a compelling narrative. It highlights the importance of unity in the face of adversity and showcases the heroic efforts that shaped the course of history.

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Film Plot:
Prelude:
The Siege of Vienna was a pivotal event in history, driven by the strategic aspirations of the Ottoman Empire. Vienna's control over the Danube and trade routes made it a prized target. The Ottoman Empire, under Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa Pasha, meticulously prepared for the siege, improving infrastructure and gathering resources. However, the Ottoman advance towards Vienna was halted in 1566 during the Siege of Szigetvár. It wasn't until 1683 that Vienna faced another threat.

Political unrest and rebellion against the Habsburgs in Hungary provided an opportunity for the Ottomans to support anti-Habsburg forces, led by Imre Thököly. The Ottoman Empire promised the "Kingdom of Vienna" to the Hungarians, receiving military assistance in return. A state of peace had existed between the Holy Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire since the Peace of Vasvár, but clashes in Hungary and Habsburg incursions led to escalating tensions.

In 1682, the Ottoman army mobilized, and war was declared. Logistical challenges prevented an immediate invasion, giving Vienna time to prepare its defenses and form alliances with Poland, Venice, and the Holy Roman Empire. In March 1683, the Ottoman army began its forward march, joined by Transylvanian and Hungarian forces. By July, the main Ottoman army arrived in Vienna, while Emperor Leopold fled.

Vienna's defense force, led by Count Ernst Rüdiger von Starhemberg, was outnumbered. Polish King John III Sobieski, bound by treaty obligations, organized a relief expedition, departing from Kraków in August. The tensions between Poland and the German states, particularly Austria, arose over payment and supplies for the troops.

The fate of Vienna hung in the balance as the Ottoman forces laid siege. Capturing the determination of the defenders, the preparations led by Saxon engineer Georg Rimpler, and the impending relief expedition of King Sobieski.

Main Plot:
On September 6, the Polish forces led by King Sobieski crossed the Danube northwest of Vienna at Tulln. Their objective was to unite with imperial troops and additional forces from Saxony, Bavaria, Baden, Franconia, and Swabia. Joining them were several mercenary regiments of Zaporozhian Cossacks hired by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Notably, Louis XIV of France chose not to assist his Habsburg rival, as he had recently annexed Alsace.

An alliance was formed between Sobieski and Emperor Leopold I, resulting in the inclusion of Polish hussars in the existing allied army. Sobieski, renowned for his experience in fighting the Ottoman army and his decisive victory in the Battle of Khotyn (1673), was entrusted with the command of the European allied forces. With an army numbering approximately 70,000-80,000 soldiers, he stood against the supposed Ottoman force of 150,000. Sobieski's courage and leadership skills were already well-known throughout Europe.

During the early days of September, skilled Ottoman sappers systematically demolished significant portions of the walls, particularly between the Burg bastion, the Löbel bastion, and the Burg ravelin. These demolitions created wide gaps of around 12 meters in width. In response, the Viennese began digging their own tunnels to intercept the placement of large quantities of gunpowder in the caverns. Despite the Viennese efforts, the Ottomans successfully occupied the Burg ravelin and the adjacent low wall on September 8. Sensing an imminent breach in the city walls, the remaining Viennese prepared themselves to defend the inner city.

In a desperate attempt to break the siege of Vienna, a combined army of Polish and Imperial forces quickly organized a response. Despite the diverse composition of the army and the limited time of only six days, they established an effective leadership structure centered around the Polish King and his heavy cavalry, known as the Polish Hussars. The Holy League resolved the issue of funding by utilizing government funds, loans from wealthy bankers and nobles, and substantial financial support from the Pope. It was agreed that the Polish government would cover the costs of its troops while still in Poland, with the Emperor taking over funding once they entered imperial territory. In return, Sobieski, the Polish King, would have priority in claiming the enemy's spoils of victory.

On the other side, the besieging forces led by Kara Mustafa Pasha faced challenges with unity, motivation, and loyalty. The defense of the rear was entrusted to the Khan of Crimea and his cavalry, numbering between 30,000 and 40,000. However, there were doubts about the extent of the Tatars' participation in the final battle. The Khan refused to attack the relief force as they crossed the Danube on pontoon bridges and also refrained from engaging them as they emerged from the Vienna Woods. The Ottoman allies from Wallachia and Moldavia also proved unreliable. The Moldavian Prince, George Ducas, was captured, and the forces of Șerban Cantacuzino joined the retreat after a decisive cavalry charge led by Sobieski.

To signal their arrival on the Kahlenberg hill overlooking Vienna, the confederated troops lit bonfires. In response, the defenders of Vienna sent Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki, a Polish nobleman fluent in Turkish, on a successful espionage mission to infiltrate the Turkish forces and inform the relief troops about the timing of the joint attack.

As the Polish cavalry slowly emerged from the nearby forest, the infantry cheered their long-awaited arrival. At 4:00 pm, a detachment of 120 hussars engaged in a probing charge, demonstrating the Ottoman vulnerability while suffering heavy casualties. They began approaching the Türkenschanze, which was now threatened by multiple forces. Sensing the danger, the Ottoman vizier decided to abandon the position and retreat to the main camp further south, but many Ottoman soldiers had already started leaving the battlefield.

The relief army, prepared for a final assault, received the order to attack. Around 6:00 pm, the Polish king led 18,000 horsemen in a massive charge, the largest cavalry charge in history. Sobieski himself led 3,000 Polish heavy lancers known as the "Winged Hussars," with Lipka Tatars on the Polish side distinguished by a sprig of straw in their helmets. The charge swiftly shattered the Ottoman battle lines, already exhausted and demoralized, forcing them into retreat. The cavalry surged toward the Ottoman camps and Kara Mustafa's headquarters, while the remaining Viennese garrison joined the assault.

The Ottoman forces, fatigued and dispirited from the failed sapping attempt, the assault on the city, and the Holy League infantry's advance, were overwhelmed. Less than three hours after the decisive cavalry charge, the Holy League emerged victorious, successfully defending Vienna. The first Catholic officer to enter the city was Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden, leading his dragoons. Sobieski, drawing inspiration from Julius Caesar, paraphrased his famous quotation, proclaiming, "Venimus, vidimus, Deus vicit" - "We came, we saw, God conquered."

Epilogue:
Contemporary Ottoman historian Silahdar Findiklili Mehmed Agha described the Battle of Vienna as a colossal defeat and the most disastrous failure for the Ottoman Empire since its foundation. The Ottomans suffered significant losses, with at least 20,000 men lost during the siege and around 15,000 dead during the battle against Sobieski's forces. The casualties of the relief force under Sobieski were comparatively smaller, with approximately 3,500 dead and wounded.

The Holy League troops and the Viennese seized a vast amount of loot from the defeated Ottoman army. Sobieski described the spoils in a letter to his wife, emphasizing the enemy's complete ruin and the treasures they had acquired. Vienna's damaged fortifications were immediately repaired to guard against a potential Ottoman counterstrike, although the city would never again be besieged by the Ottomans.

Following his defeat, Kara Mustafa Pasha was executed in Belgrade by strangulation, ordered by the commander of the Janissaries. Despite the victory, tensions persisted among the different commanders and their armies. Sobieski insisted that Polish troops have the first choice of the spoils, leading to dissatisfaction among German and Austrian troops. Additionally, Protestant Saxons faced verbal abuse from the Catholic populace and subsequently withdrew from the battle without sharing in the spoils or continuing the pursuit.

After the Battle of Vienna, Sobieski proceeded to liberate Grau and northwestern Hungary. However, his pursuit of the Ottomans was halted by dysentery. In subsequent years, Charles V captured Belgrade and most of Serbia, establishing Habsburg control over southern Hungary and Transylvania.

The Ottoman defeat at Vienna sparked celebrations in Safavid Iran, leading to considerations of a march to Baghdad. However, the Safavids ultimately refrained from a new campaign due to concerns over their declining military strength and the desire to maintain a buffer against Christian Europe, as expressed by influential eunuchs within the royal court.

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A/N: Been sitting on this one for awhile, and after a couple dozen rewrites I release to you Lucasfilm's answer to Napoleon, where we use the backdrop of Bruce's HEMA Tournament to recreate the Battle of Vienna, and specifically when the Winged Hussars arrived.

I know Arnold wants to strike it out on his own, but if all goes well, I'd like to tap him for one of the parts...partly because I think it would greatly offend him not to be involved, out of a sense of national pride that he, the most famous Austrian in Hollywood, wasn't called up.

[EDIT: Less important, but something I want to bring up is the desire for characters in this film to be speaking in their ethnic tongues, only transitioning when taking command or in courtly scenarios...oh, and a scene at the end that's entirely adlibbing the creation of cappucino (this actually happened here), where it takes a comedic take on "life moves on".]