Marco Polo Brings Mongol Empire To Netflix (Netflix New Original Series Alert)

BBC News ^ | 12/12/2014 | Genevieve Hassan

[goldstategop]

Following on from the success of its original dramas House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, Netflix is banking on its next series, Marco Polo, being a similar hit.

The adventures of famed explorer Marco Polo in 13th Century China are being told in a new series for Netflix.

Set in Mongolian emperor Kublai Khan's court and with a rumoured $90m (£57m) budget, its epic nature, battle scenes and sexual content has inevitably drawn comparisons to Game of Thrones - although creator John Fusco points out Polo's books came first.

Starring British actor Benedict Wong as Kublai and unknown Italian star Lorenzo Richelmy - who had to learn English while on the job - as the explorer, the drama was filmed on location in Kazakhstan and a purpose-built set in Malaysia.

[goldstategop]

Does Netflix have a new blockbuster series on its hands with its forthcoming premiere of "Marco Polo" online? We'll see it in its debut today.

[SunkenCiv]

Interesting, thanks goldstategop.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Didn’t NBC do this back in the 1980s?

[TomGuy]

I have it in my Netflix queue. I haven’t watched an episode yet.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Wasn’t the Marco Polo story “proven” a fake in the last few years?

[goldstategop]

No this not the same, its more graphic, lavish, sexually explicit and very authentic.

Its not meant for kids. This is top notch adult entertainment that mixes adventure, drama, martial arts, romance, sex and oriental culture into a sweeping epic.

It seeks to bring the 13th Century literally to life.

[SevenofNine]

Yeah it was called Marco Polo starting Richard Chambelrin

You could find it on DVD
This is first time that movie this scale feature on streaming service Netflix also was made in China

[SamAdams76]

Netflix is doing well with the original programming. Between them and Amazon Prime, I don't need cable TV. Just a Roku box and a good internet connection.

When I cut the cable, I missed NFL football but now I go to the local bars to see the games. I highly recommend the experience as opposed to sitting at home. Most bars (even at casual restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings and Longhorn's) have plenty of flat screens to see the game and lots of microbrews on tap.

It's not like the old days where a typical bar had a flickering black and white TV in the corner with only Budweiser and Miller on tap and some old grouchy bartender guy in a T-shirt polishing a glass with a dirty cloth rag.

[Rebelbase]

What you said. This is NOT for kids. SEX! SEX! SEX!

[ncpatriot]

i bet it is no more than Game of Thrones.

[Larry Lucido]

Does it involve swimming pools and blindfolds?

[Tea Party Terrorist]

Just got through Peaky Blinders on Netflix...will have to say this is the best show on Netflix.

[truth_seeker]

My regular TV use has been limited to F1 races, election night, and nothing else. Netflix, Amazon Prime, PBS and a few odds and ends fill my viewing time.

[Celtic Conservative]

If it was starring Richard Chamberlain, they should’ve called it “Marco Homo”.

CC

[Zhang Fei]

Yeah it was called Marco Polo starting Richard Chambelrin

You're thinking Shogun. Ken Marshall played Marco Polo in the 80's. He's best known for Deep Space 9.

[Veto!]

Everyone has done Marco Polo….but it’s such a good story, why not keep updating it? Technically. For new audiences.

[Rebelbase]

One orgy scene in Marco Polo made GOT look like a 10th grade sex ed class 40 years ago.

[Veto!]

LOL but nevertheless I really like Richard Chamberlain. Especially in the Australian move, The Last Wave. PLUS, I saw him do Cyrano on stage at the “Dorothy” Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles —both in the 70s. Is he still good to look at?

Am I? Don’t ask.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I believe that was SHOGUN in which he says..”Do you take me for a GOD CURSED SODOMITE?”

[Sawdring]

If you have some hours to kill listen to Dan Carlin's Hardcore History Show 43 - Wrath of the Khans I. It is a great series and I learned a lot and like Dan's style.