George Martin in 1991 opened for readers a new, incredibly fascinating universe - the world of Westeros, in which the story of his novels from the cycle “Song of Ice and Fire” unfolds. It took the author four years to write the first book, published in 1996 under the title Game of Thrones. It was written in the then popular fantasy genre with a bias in the Middle Ages and light mysticism. The novel received only positive reviews. Game of Thrones quickly became a worldwide bestseller. Martin is a fruitful writer. Today, his famous cycle has five books, not counting the individual works associated with it.
The long-awaited film adaptation
The cycle quickly gained popularity, the number of fans grew, numerous sites appeared on which fans of the writer's work laid out detailed biographies of the characters, created maps of the seven kingdoms and discussed the appearance of new novels. The growing popularity of books could not fail to interest the figures of cinema. George Martin was repeatedly offered to film his novels, but he refused with a constant refusal. The fact is that with every new book published, the universe of Westeros has grown. The writer's works still received rave reviews, “Game of Thrones” was becoming more popular, but Martin was sure that the adaptation of his cycle was impossible due to the huge number of heroes.
And only the HBO television company with an audience of more than 40 million people (only in America), broadcasting in 50 countries, was able to persuade the writer to create a series based on his cycle. After the consent was obtained, the creators of the picture began to develop a script that was approved by the leadership of the television company. Although work on the series started in 2008, the first series was shown only in the spring of 2011. The premiere was a resounding success and received good reviews. “Game of Thrones” (the series was named after the first novel of the cycle) liked the viewer.
Filming and casting
The series "Game of Thrones" (season 1) was released in April 2011. He gave way to the big screen for several young actors. Thanks to their participation in it, they gained great fame. Among them - Keith Harington, Sophie Turner, Richard Madden and others. In addition to little-known (at that time) performers, famous actors such as Lina Headey and Sean Bean took part in the filming. The selection of artists aroused great interest among fans of the cycle of novels by George Martin. They made assumptions about which of the actors is best suited for the film adaptation. There were many versions, but in one the fans agreed unanimously - no one is better than the American actor Peter Dinklage for one of the leading roles, Tyrion Lannister. They were right - the name of this artist was announced among the first in the list of cast members of the series.
The geography of the filming of the picture is vast. A broadcaster can afford full-scale shooting that brings realism to the series. He starred in several venues at once: in Northern Ireland, Croatia, Morocco, Iceland and Malta. The city of Dubrovnik in Croatia became famous, which in the series “Game of Thrones” (season 1 and subsequent) turned into the Royal Harbor.
Budget paintings
The series "Game of Thrones" has become one of the most expensive projects of the television company. Each new series is more expensive than the previous one. If in the first season its cost was estimated at 6 million dollars, then by season 5 the cost of the series was already 8 million. Such large amounts are justified by the fact that the creators of the series meticulously approach both the shooting location and the costumes of the main characters. The picture is not complete without a large number of special effects, which also increases its cost. But huge costs pay off in full - the series "Game of Thrones" is always in the top of the most successful film projects.
Eddard stark
This is the noble and true to his word ruler of the North, which was brilliantly played by Sean Bean. An old friend and ally of King Robert Baratheon, he fell victim to court intrigues. His death led to the outbreak of war between the rebellious North and the Royal Harbor.
John snow
The illegitimate son of the ruler of the North was played by Keith Harington. Immediately after graduating from the school of stage speech and drama, he came to the casting of the series and received one of the leading roles. The television series "Game of Thrones", whose actors were so beloved by the audience, opened Harington the road to a big movie. He starred in such films as The Seventh Son, Pompeii, and Silent Hill 2.
For 5 seasons, the audience fell in love with the young actor in the guise of an honest and courageous John Snow. The death of this character was a real shock for fans of the saga "Song of Ice and Fire." But, given the fact that Martin’s death is not always final, fans of the actor believe that they will see Keith Harington returning to the series.
Robb Stark
The eldest son of the ruler of the North, who headed the region after the death of his father. The character was played by Scottish actor Richard Madden. The death of his hero was one of the most shocking moments in the series.
Sansa Stark
The eldest of the daughters of Eddard Stark. He is one of the key characters in the series, who survived to the sixth season. Sansu was played by Sophie Turner, who received positive reviews for the role. "Game of Thrones" was the debut of a young actress in a big movie. After participating in the series, she received several tempting offers in other film projects: "Another Me", "Particularly Dangerous." In 2016, the fantastic action movie "X-Men: Apocalypse" with her participation will be released on the screen.
Arya Stark
The youngest daughter of the Stark couple was played by the young but very talented British actress Macy Williams. This is her movie debut. Macy’s role was complicated. Arya is a naughty and adventurous girl. After the death of her father, she had to go through a lot. After going through difficult trials, she matured early. At the end of season five, Arya goes blind. Macy Williams, the audience will again see in the continuation of the series.
Jaime Lannister
The representative of the powerful Lannister house was played by Danish actor Nikolai Koster-Waldau. Before filming in the series, he was better known in the Scandinavian countries. Now involved in several interesting projects, in particular, in the fantastic film “Gods of Egypt”. One of the few characters who survived to season 6.
Tyrion Lannister
This is one of the leading characters in the series and a favorite (by his own admission) of George Martin. It was played by Peter Dinklage - a gifted actor with a difficult fate. Due to a gene disease, his growth stopped at 135 centimeters. But this sad fact did not prevent him from becoming a famous actor and starting a family.
Cersei Lannister
Sister Jaime and Tyrion, the Dowager Queen, is brilliantly played by Lina Headey. Cersei is one of the most controversial characters in the series. She is smart, cruel and power-hungry, which makes her a formidable opponent. But she does not know how to make concessions, and her desire for revenge ultimately leads the queen to the collapse of her hopes.
Daenerys Targaryen
This is one of the key characters in the series. Daenerys is the last of the Targaryen dynasty, dragon lords. She was born after the uprising led by Robert Baratheon and grew up far from her homeland. She is fair, but adamant in her decisions. The main purpose of Daenerys' life is to return the throne of the Seven Kingdoms, which by birth belongs to her.
The Mother of Dragons was played by the English actress Emilia Clark. One of her last notable works is the role of Sarah Connor in the fantastic action movie Terminator: Genesis, in which Arnold Schwarzenegger was among her partners.
Petir Bailish
Minister of Finance under the advice of King Robert Baratheon. Active participant in court intrigues. Bailish is a “gray cardinal” behind many events in the Seven Kingdoms. He unleashed a war between the North and the Lannister House, betraying Ed Stark. He is not prone to remorse, in people he is only interested in their vulnerability, through which they can be manipulated. In the Bailish series, Aidan Gyllen brilliantly played , whose candidacy was favorably approved by George Martin himself.
Series Summary
There is no point in dwelling on each series in detail - this is too voluminous material. Readers are waiting for a brief announcement.
Game of Thrones Season One
Here, viewers meet with the main characters and show the reasons for the impending internecine war in the Seven Kingdoms. The main action takes place in the North, the Wall and the Royal Harbor. The series were shot on the first volume of the cycle and the plot corresponds to the original.
Game of Thrones Season Two
This season was based on the second volume of Martin's cycle - “The Battle of the Kings”. The action of the epic is just beginning, and a few new characters appeared in the second part. Most of them are secondary, except for Brienne Tart and Margery Tyrell. The plot of the second part as a whole corresponds to the original.
Game of Thrones Season Three
This part was the most shocking for the audience and caused a storm of negative emotions in relation to George Martin. For those who have long been familiar with his work, it is no secret that he is known as a writer who calmly kills his central characters, if the plot requires it. Several new characters have appeared this season. The most striking of them is Mans the Raider, the leader of the wild, famous outside the Wall, who managed to unite disparate tribes into a single union.
In this part, significant deviations from the original plot of the cycle have already appeared, but this did not affect the general development of events. At the heart of the third season is the first part of the novel “Storm of Swords”.
Game of Thrones Season 4
The third part, called the most tragic, ended with the fact that the audience parted with several central characters of the saga. Events in the Seven Kingdoms are being redeveloped, other people are replacing the departed heroes. Among them is Prince Darn Oberin Martell.
The Game of Thrones saga, which season 4 was remembered by the audience for many bright moments, ended on a tragic note - the Darni prince dies in a duel with Grigor Clegan, Tyrion, condemned by his father to execution, kills him, and the young king Joffrey drinks a glass of wine with poison and dies at your own wedding.
Game of Thrones Season Five
Arya Stark arrives in Braavos and begins serving the Faceless in the Black and White House. Sansu Stark Petyr Bailish marries Ramsey Bolton. John Snow and his people are sailing to the Stern House to convince the wild tribes to go with him. He promises them lands beyond the Wall. At this time, the army of White Walkers is attacking the settlement. In the Royal Harbor, the Dowager Queen Cersei passes a humiliating rite to atone for her crimes. After returning to the Wall, John Snow dies at the hands of his comrades-in-arms who betrayed him. His death was a shock to the seemingly accustomed to the sudden withdrawal of characters from the series of spectators. According to the degree of tragedy, the fifth part significantly exceeds the events of the third season.
The best series of "Game of Thrones" - unexpected plot twists and the death of your favorite characters
Each season, the famous saga of the Seven Kingdoms boasts shocking moments. Recall the best of them.
In the ninth episode of the first season, the ruler of the North, Eddard Stark, is executed, which provokes the beginning of a military conflict.
The ninth episode of the second season presented the audience with an amazing sight of a grand battle on the Blackwater between the defenders of the Royal Harbor and the fleet of Stannis Baratheon.
Spectators who did not read the books of the series were shocked by episode 9 of the third season, when Robb Stark, his mother and most of the army of the North were treacherously killed in one fell swoop.
In the ninth episode of the fourth season, Igritt dies, who had a romantic relationship with John Snow. The girl is dying on his hands. In the final series, Tyrion Lannister kills the beloved woman who betrayed him and his father.
The eighth episode of the fifth season gave the audience an unforgettable meeting of people and the army of White Walkers. Both critics and fans called the scene of the battle in the Wild Village one of the best moments of the series. The ninth series struck the audience with a terrible death at the stake of the young daughter of Stannis Baratheon, who was sacrificed to the Lord of the world. In the finale of the season, John Snow dies - another shocking loyal fans of the series death.
Game of Thrones is a television series that teaches viewers not to become attached to their favorite characters, because their life can be cut off at any time. And no matter the positive and negative character dies - the saga of the Seven Kingdoms is conceived by the author as the most realistic work. And real life, as you know, is quite unpredictable and often unfair.
Game of Thrones - release date for new episodes and announcement of events
George Martin is currently working on the completion of the novel Winds of Winter. It should be released (at least, fans of the cycle hope so) in 2016. The final part, “Dream of Spring,” is scheduled by the writer for 2019. The series is already overtaking books, and its ending is already close. By the end of season 5, the picture caught up with the original. Some storylines have been changed, but the overall picture of what is happening in the novels has been preserved. The series “Game of Thrones”, the 6th season of which is just around the corner, is able to shock the audience more than once, because now only its producers and George Martin know what will happen to the characters of the picture further.
Predicting developments is becoming increasingly difficult. But it is well known that in the new season, viewers will again see Bran Stark and Hodor, who did not appear in the fifth part. According to the assurances of the producers, these characters have rather significant roles.
Game of Thrones is a television series from which you can expect any twists and turns in the storyline. With a high degree of probability in the next season a new character will appear that will radically affect the course of events. Most likely, this will be another contender for the Iron Throne of Westeros, the appearance of which will be a complete surprise to the rest. It’s quite in Martin’s spirit to confuse the viewer, distract him with rapidly developing bloody events and shock him with a new plot twist. Daenerys Targaryen is considered the sole heiress of the once great dynasty of dragon lords. However, George Martin at the beginning of the cycle of novels mentions her nephew Eigon, who, it seems, was killed in infancy. His appearance will be a complete surprise and will completely change the alignment of forces in the Seven Kingdoms that has developed by the fifth season.
Thus, the series "Game of Thrones", the 6th season of which the audience is waiting with great impatience, is fraught with many more shocking surprises. The most interesting thing is that George Martin himself has not yet come up with the ending of his cycle of novels. As for the new season of the Game of Thrones series, the release date for the first episode is announced on April 24, 2016.