This series must be internationally famous.just underrated
39 Reviews
internationally underrated
muhammet_ytkn17 March 2020
Unforgettable!
ahmetkursadsircan14 February 2021
This series is one of the best cult series in Turkish television history. It has a potential to be watched by a wider audience around the world with a good English version of it.
The story begins with a classical mafia story. An agent (Polat Alemdar), who is trained by the deep state of Turkey, is sneaking into the dark Turkish mafia by saving the life of one of the mafia leaders (Suleyman Cakir). Although we see Suleyman Cakir as a strong mafia leader in the beginning we later understand that he is like a pawn in this mafia world. The strongest person in this world is Karahanli or Baron. All the media know him as a businessman but actually, he manages all the mafia world in Turkey. He has a council which controls as much money as half of the national income of Turkey. The council plays quite an active role in the politics of Turkey and the Middle East. Each council member is a strong mafia leader and they all have interesting stories which shape their personality. Until episode 74, we see the crucial face of this mafia world, how the government treats the mafia, the rise of Polat Alemdar in this world, the development of different emotional stories by different characters, and a love story between a lawyer, Elif and the main cast Polat Alemdar who needs to decide whether he was a mafia leader or an agent or a normal person who loves his country. In episode 74, in the eyes of Polat, we are starting to get to know the people or another council which is more powerful and decides the political issues, wars, rebels around the world. Until this point, we understand that all the mafia world and the baron Karahanli are also pawns in this whole chess game. Finally, we turn our faces into a new war between Polat Alemdar and this strong council. Between Episode 74 and 98 (Final), we see the structure of this council, how they can easily create a war in the Middle East and benefit from it. At this point, the series focuses more on the agent side of Polat Alemdar not the mafia leader side of him. A surprise in the final episode is that Andy Garcia and Sharon Stone are cast as the leaders of this council.
Valley of the Wolves is definitely a classical series which deserves to be watched by people all around the world. Maybe it is not so professional. We can not see a high budget here but once you start to watch it from the first episode it will take you into its captivating world and give you an unforgettable experience.
The story begins with a classical mafia story. An agent (Polat Alemdar), who is trained by the deep state of Turkey, is sneaking into the dark Turkish mafia by saving the life of one of the mafia leaders (Suleyman Cakir). Although we see Suleyman Cakir as a strong mafia leader in the beginning we later understand that he is like a pawn in this mafia world. The strongest person in this world is Karahanli or Baron. All the media know him as a businessman but actually, he manages all the mafia world in Turkey. He has a council which controls as much money as half of the national income of Turkey. The council plays quite an active role in the politics of Turkey and the Middle East. Each council member is a strong mafia leader and they all have interesting stories which shape their personality. Until episode 74, we see the crucial face of this mafia world, how the government treats the mafia, the rise of Polat Alemdar in this world, the development of different emotional stories by different characters, and a love story between a lawyer, Elif and the main cast Polat Alemdar who needs to decide whether he was a mafia leader or an agent or a normal person who loves his country. In episode 74, in the eyes of Polat, we are starting to get to know the people or another council which is more powerful and decides the political issues, wars, rebels around the world. Until this point, we understand that all the mafia world and the baron Karahanli are also pawns in this whole chess game. Finally, we turn our faces into a new war between Polat Alemdar and this strong council. Between Episode 74 and 98 (Final), we see the structure of this council, how they can easily create a war in the Middle East and benefit from it. At this point, the series focuses more on the agent side of Polat Alemdar not the mafia leader side of him. A surprise in the final episode is that Andy Garcia and Sharon Stone are cast as the leaders of this council.
Valley of the Wolves is definitely a classical series which deserves to be watched by people all around the world. Maybe it is not so professional. We can not see a high budget here but once you start to watch it from the first episode it will take you into its captivating world and give you an unforgettable experience.
Not quite flawless, but ultimately captivating
Exiled_Archangel11 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
*** SPOILERS SCATTERED ALL OVER ***
When I first started watching this TV series, I thought it was going to follow a typical mafia plot, and turn into a cheesy and pointless story in no time like the infamous Deli Yürek. The first few episodes were rather weak, cheesy, and downright boring. Despite the load of goofs and occasional cheesy conversations though, it got more and more captivating, and I finally got addicted.
Speaking of the cheesy parts, I have to say I said "give me a break" lots of times watching this show. Meral Yilmaz shooting her dad; who is a major gangster, murderer of his wife and Meral's mother, and an extremely conservative guy. Polat killing and juxtaposing a bunch of armed guys at a time, the terrible goof about the years of birth in the Çakir family... Just countless! But then again, the vast majority of the cast, particularly Gürkan Uygun as Memati, does an amazing job with the acting, and that saves the show along with the strong plot. Speaking of the acting, unfortunately I have found Polat Alemdar (Necati Sasmaz) to be the king of overacting, and in my opinion, he sticks out amidst the excellent cast. He does look intimidating enough to be a mafia leader, but I am sure they could have found someone who looks intimidating and knows how to act too.
How realistic the story is would be a controversial issue. It is not unfounded fiction for sure, but awkwardly exaggerated in some aspects, and sometimes right at the key moments. All in all, I find the content quite accurate considering the real situation in Turkey. But it could have been much better if they hadn't depicted a bunch of gangsters as honourable and perseverant fighters against drugs and child prostitution. There rises a question about mafia, as to whether they cause the disarray or fix it. According to Kurtlar Vadisi, both.
Another gap in the plot was why the Council Of The Wolves decided to bestow envoyship of Istanbul on Süleyman Çakir all of a sudden, and how he still had to deal with all the scum troubling him, leading to his death. One last thing that I can think of is that; Tuncay reprimands his henchman Abidin throughout the story, accusing him of being incompetent, and he does nothing, he just obeys. Does that happen in real mafia? I strongly doubt it. Same goes for Testere Necmi's blatant attitude on Çakir, Polat, and pretty much everyone involved.
For the most part, Kurtlar Vadisi is interesting to follow. Better than all the other violence based Turkish shows I've seen, revolving around a relatively logical setting. As aforementioned, it does have its flaws, and not just a couple. But as far as the big picture is concerned, it's still watchable, or actually way more than watchable. It's good!
8,5 out of 10
When I first started watching this TV series, I thought it was going to follow a typical mafia plot, and turn into a cheesy and pointless story in no time like the infamous Deli Yürek. The first few episodes were rather weak, cheesy, and downright boring. Despite the load of goofs and occasional cheesy conversations though, it got more and more captivating, and I finally got addicted.
Speaking of the cheesy parts, I have to say I said "give me a break" lots of times watching this show. Meral Yilmaz shooting her dad; who is a major gangster, murderer of his wife and Meral's mother, and an extremely conservative guy. Polat killing and juxtaposing a bunch of armed guys at a time, the terrible goof about the years of birth in the Çakir family... Just countless! But then again, the vast majority of the cast, particularly Gürkan Uygun as Memati, does an amazing job with the acting, and that saves the show along with the strong plot. Speaking of the acting, unfortunately I have found Polat Alemdar (Necati Sasmaz) to be the king of overacting, and in my opinion, he sticks out amidst the excellent cast. He does look intimidating enough to be a mafia leader, but I am sure they could have found someone who looks intimidating and knows how to act too.
How realistic the story is would be a controversial issue. It is not unfounded fiction for sure, but awkwardly exaggerated in some aspects, and sometimes right at the key moments. All in all, I find the content quite accurate considering the real situation in Turkey. But it could have been much better if they hadn't depicted a bunch of gangsters as honourable and perseverant fighters against drugs and child prostitution. There rises a question about mafia, as to whether they cause the disarray or fix it. According to Kurtlar Vadisi, both.
Another gap in the plot was why the Council Of The Wolves decided to bestow envoyship of Istanbul on Süleyman Çakir all of a sudden, and how he still had to deal with all the scum troubling him, leading to his death. One last thing that I can think of is that; Tuncay reprimands his henchman Abidin throughout the story, accusing him of being incompetent, and he does nothing, he just obeys. Does that happen in real mafia? I strongly doubt it. Same goes for Testere Necmi's blatant attitude on Çakir, Polat, and pretty much everyone involved.
For the most part, Kurtlar Vadisi is interesting to follow. Better than all the other violence based Turkish shows I've seen, revolving around a relatively logical setting. As aforementioned, it does have its flaws, and not just a couple. But as far as the big picture is concerned, it's still watchable, or actually way more than watchable. It's good!
8,5 out of 10
Welcome to a peek into Turkey's dark and misty valley... of the wolves
steven_banks10 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Born as Efe Yakup Karahanli the son of a wealthy Mafia family, kidnapped by secret government agents and raised as Ali Candan in a normal Turkish family, and then later as a secret agent working for his government with a complete new face and new life, we follow the journey of Polat Alemdar into the valley of the wolves.
His is not to question why, his is but to do or die. He does not ask what his country can do for him, but what he can do for his country, but ultimately in a court-room finale he will ask his country to forgive all he has had to do and become - in the name of protecting Turkey.
His country has asked him to fake his death and to leave behind his adopted family and the only girl he has ever loved as Ali Candan and be reborn anew as Polat Alemdar, and to infiltrate the Turkish mafia in Istanbul, who control all the shady operations that run throughout Turkey and are known as the Kurtlar Konseyi - The Council of The Wolves -the head of which is none other than Polat Alemdar's real father.
The military style operation named The Valley of the Wolves has begun.
But before Polat Alemdar succeeds in his mission to shut down this organisation he will learn much more about his country's dark past in each succeeding episode and the foreign hands that have a grip on his land and his life, hands that stretch from a secret masonic society all the way back to America, to a mysterious couple named Amon and Lisa...
Sharon Stone's portrayal of Lisa is very strained, while Andy Garcia's is charismatic as Amon, and when both are together they make for interesting viewing.
The long running TV series has been criticised for having regurgitated old American films and shows, but who hasn't in this day and age? It was the first of its kind - daring to show what Turkish TV could achieve. For that at least it should be applauded.
His is not to question why, his is but to do or die. He does not ask what his country can do for him, but what he can do for his country, but ultimately in a court-room finale he will ask his country to forgive all he has had to do and become - in the name of protecting Turkey.
His country has asked him to fake his death and to leave behind his adopted family and the only girl he has ever loved as Ali Candan and be reborn anew as Polat Alemdar, and to infiltrate the Turkish mafia in Istanbul, who control all the shady operations that run throughout Turkey and are known as the Kurtlar Konseyi - The Council of The Wolves -the head of which is none other than Polat Alemdar's real father.
The military style operation named The Valley of the Wolves has begun.
But before Polat Alemdar succeeds in his mission to shut down this organisation he will learn much more about his country's dark past in each succeeding episode and the foreign hands that have a grip on his land and his life, hands that stretch from a secret masonic society all the way back to America, to a mysterious couple named Amon and Lisa...
Sharon Stone's portrayal of Lisa is very strained, while Andy Garcia's is charismatic as Amon, and when both are together they make for interesting viewing.
The long running TV series has been criticised for having regurgitated old American films and shows, but who hasn't in this day and age? It was the first of its kind - daring to show what Turkish TV could achieve. For that at least it should be applauded.
Valley of the Wolves (2003-2005)
gokhankaraosman9 August 2020
Be sure to watch my friends, I was one of those who approach with prejudice, then you get addicted, subjects such as Mafia, Deep State, Illuminati attract you with master actors and great music, the script is already one of the rare scenarios in the world.
Perfect Screenplay
mfkvk9 April 2020
Making history in tv
wincesterquen15 June 2020
Best Turkish tv series. Briliantly written and acted by such a strong, qualified actors. This show was so powerful and efective in the tv show endustry in Turkey that nothing comes later was able to reach the same succes. It was phenomenonal.
netflix
ulusberkay522 May 2020
DEFINITELY BE WATCHED
krmezgiii29 January 2021
Turkish Eyes Wide Shut + Mafia ;)
jack_o_hasanov_imdb9 August 2021
Another point of view...
neo_total_chaos26 May 2007
Kurtlar Vadisi may be a good time passing movie for the ones who have to much empty time. Actaually I didn't like the serial at all. Why may you ask? Well it's very hard to see a movie who takes all the mafia com-plots in one, with poor action and bad acting. It seems just like they created the other Octopod (the serial Italian movie about mafia) with a little less touch. Also I didn't like the so called Polat Alemdar smoking cigarettes quite in every screen, making him self very charismatic with his Zibo lighter (a friend of mine restarted smoking for this, I am not 100% sure thought but yes it gives you effect). Well the beautiful actress Özgü Namal (in Elif Eylül role) tried very hard and she showed her best performance but she could't do any miracle surrounded by ''not at all good'' actors. Long story short ''Bad''. It's not worth being watched, as long as you have to much empty time!
Elaborate Scenario is Legendary
lprcdn19 September 2020
From Turkey with love
starmoh-11 May 2009
At the beginning I thought that there has been a huge gap between the scenario of the series and the performances of some performers.To be specific I'm talking about Necati Sasmaz ,I thought the expressions of his face are the same ,but as the episodes passing he was getting better and better.Regarding the scenario ,it is one of the best I didn't think that Turkey would ever produce one of the most powerful productions .On the other hand,the story of th series is complicated ,but it reveals so much real plots that are happening in the world especially the relationship between all the sorts of Mafia .The series could discuss so serious events ,still it shows how the power of love towards the homeland would make the man stronger no matter what will happen to the people you love and care about.
The "so called" truths about state and mafia relation
Zeppaa17 January 2005
"Kurtlar Vadisi" - "Valley of the Wolves" was the most spectacular TV series production of 2004 in Turkish telly, by Show TV.
It is about a giant mafia organization and a secret agent who's actual face changed by operation, probably inspired from the movie Face/Off(1997). Since the producers claim that the story contains mafia government relations and unspeakable truths, with strange incidents and extreme characters, this scenario is far away from reality.
In the "Valley of the Wolves" we face with a Turkish mafia group that is strongly established with a hierarchy that starts at bloody streets and ends up at the effective "Council", the brain of mafia organization. While the "Council" is working to takeover the control of the country and region, on the other hand, another secret organization tries to protect the country and regime.
Ali Candan, a special secret agent has an operation to become Polat Alemdar, who joined the mafia group with his new face and new identity. As "Can" Polat rises in the mafia organization, the story gets more complex and exciting.
Beside the great soundtrack, "Kurtlar Vadisi" draws attention with interesting characters, funny quotes, events, flashbacks and some comments about the important events happening in Turkey and across the world.
It is about a giant mafia organization and a secret agent who's actual face changed by operation, probably inspired from the movie Face/Off(1997). Since the producers claim that the story contains mafia government relations and unspeakable truths, with strange incidents and extreme characters, this scenario is far away from reality.
In the "Valley of the Wolves" we face with a Turkish mafia group that is strongly established with a hierarchy that starts at bloody streets and ends up at the effective "Council", the brain of mafia organization. While the "Council" is working to takeover the control of the country and region, on the other hand, another secret organization tries to protect the country and regime.
Ali Candan, a special secret agent has an operation to become Polat Alemdar, who joined the mafia group with his new face and new identity. As "Can" Polat rises in the mafia organization, the story gets more complex and exciting.
Beside the great soundtrack, "Kurtlar Vadisi" draws attention with interesting characters, funny quotes, events, flashbacks and some comments about the important events happening in Turkey and across the world.
best TV series ever in Türkiye
akinsamsun20 June 2005
i wanna say that i am not a huge fan of this production even in the first season i criticized it a lot. but after the third season i have to admit it is the best . why?
because it has a really deep and strong story, and also very good sense of humour. of course it has lots of weaknesses such as poor action scene shoots, some boring episodes full of meaningless chats (some can think i didn't get those episodes but i did)and especially very bad acting performances.i think that is because of the amateur side of the producers and writers. i think sometimes they do not know how to continue exactly. actually in my opinion they should work with a professional from abroad . it might help a lot. but as i see they want to do it on their own. whatever, now, they have the opportunity to create a TV legend despite all those disadvantages. may be they ll find a chance to make a movie.
because it has a really deep and strong story, and also very good sense of humour. of course it has lots of weaknesses such as poor action scene shoots, some boring episodes full of meaningless chats (some can think i didn't get those episodes but i did)and especially very bad acting performances.i think that is because of the amateur side of the producers and writers. i think sometimes they do not know how to continue exactly. actually in my opinion they should work with a professional from abroad . it might help a lot. but as i see they want to do it on their own. whatever, now, they have the opportunity to create a TV legend despite all those disadvantages. may be they ll find a chance to make a movie.
TOP 10 TV SERIES of all time
mustafa-haddad16 July 2021
the first 55 episodes are just really good
superyigoolp13 May 2021
The first 55 episodes of this series were just very very good. The reality in turkish politics and the doings of the turkish mafia were "represented" very well. But then starting from the 56th episode, osman sinav, the actual director of the series, quit his job and the series started losing its power. Even though they were alright, the episodes 56-97 were just not good enough. If they were, the series would have gotten a 9/10 from me.
Perfect
parsabeaulo22 August 2021
It is fun and true
kuruogluata25 June 2019
I enjoy this shows every scene (expect violent scenes) Every scene means something to each character,sometimes its sad but the excitement never ends.You always stay curious about whats going to happen.Provides solid information about the state of Turkey.That is thanks to Soner Yalcin a solid Turkish journalist and concept adviser to the show (basically a writer).There are scenes litteraly talking about whats happening in Turkey,how things are "handled".Great show overall.Probably best Turkish series ever made.
White Wolves and the Black Wolves
rigel20628 August 2005
Kurtlar Vadisi, somewhat accurately translated as "The Valley of the Wolves" is simply the biggest hit in the Turkish TV Series Industry for the last two years.
It's plot is long and complex but I will try to summarize it. It tells about the control and organization of the Mafia, held by one supreme Council (Konsey), The council is led by a very professional and seemingly clean businessman Mehmet "The Baron" Karahanlı. The council's main objective is to promote the Turkish mafia and other dirty work including everything from drugs to politics over other countries' mafia and to practice quiet control over the republic's government.
On the other hand, also a fictional and complex organization, the KGT(Kamu Güvenliği Teşkilatı - Public Security Organization) exists to protect the republic's rights and to provide security from the other forces (In this case the council) acting in various fields. Ali Candan, who is an agent for the KGT, who had been acting undercover in Kosovo is called back to Istanbul and assigned to his new mission... Operation Valley of The Wolves. He is supposed to undergo some operations to change his face and he is provided with his new identity Polat "Can Polat" Alemdar. He commences his mob career and slowly rises to the top using his agent techniques and brains. He enters the council and he at last becomes the baron himself.
Kurtlar Vadisi has some of everything: Passion, patriotism, ambition, love and treachery. It even has some "manhood" culture for the average Turkish man... It tells the truth about some relations regarding some of the governors(of course names are never disclosed and everything is claimed to be TOTALLY fictional. ) to secret organizations and mafia. The Masonic Lodge, The Great Middle East Project, Bloomsberg, Sun Valley, Illuminati, MOSSAD, CIA, are some of the real world organizations that are mentioned. Other organizations are also referred to.
ALthough some find it untruthful, too surreal, and too "manly" to watch, Kurtlar Vadisi is exciting with outstanding plot line, cutting-edge gunfights, referral to real-world organizations and current events, with funny quotes and characters used in place. All of these and the spectacular soundtrack prepared by none other than Gökhan Kırdar(the music is comprised of Turkish folk music used in mixture with Kırdar's instrumental and deep style) make Kurtlar Vadisi the latest phenomenon of Turkish TV Series history.
It's plot is long and complex but I will try to summarize it. It tells about the control and organization of the Mafia, held by one supreme Council (Konsey), The council is led by a very professional and seemingly clean businessman Mehmet "The Baron" Karahanlı. The council's main objective is to promote the Turkish mafia and other dirty work including everything from drugs to politics over other countries' mafia and to practice quiet control over the republic's government.
On the other hand, also a fictional and complex organization, the KGT(Kamu Güvenliği Teşkilatı - Public Security Organization) exists to protect the republic's rights and to provide security from the other forces (In this case the council) acting in various fields. Ali Candan, who is an agent for the KGT, who had been acting undercover in Kosovo is called back to Istanbul and assigned to his new mission... Operation Valley of The Wolves. He is supposed to undergo some operations to change his face and he is provided with his new identity Polat "Can Polat" Alemdar. He commences his mob career and slowly rises to the top using his agent techniques and brains. He enters the council and he at last becomes the baron himself.
Kurtlar Vadisi has some of everything: Passion, patriotism, ambition, love and treachery. It even has some "manhood" culture for the average Turkish man... It tells the truth about some relations regarding some of the governors(of course names are never disclosed and everything is claimed to be TOTALLY fictional. ) to secret organizations and mafia. The Masonic Lodge, The Great Middle East Project, Bloomsberg, Sun Valley, Illuminati, MOSSAD, CIA, are some of the real world organizations that are mentioned. Other organizations are also referred to.
ALthough some find it untruthful, too surreal, and too "manly" to watch, Kurtlar Vadisi is exciting with outstanding plot line, cutting-edge gunfights, referral to real-world organizations and current events, with funny quotes and characters used in place. All of these and the spectacular soundtrack prepared by none other than Gökhan Kırdar(the music is comprised of Turkish folk music used in mixture with Kırdar's instrumental and deep style) make Kurtlar Vadisi the latest phenomenon of Turkish TV Series history.
Wikipedia
feefaleena4 November 2010
The TV show makes anti-Kurdish scenes currently and they show many respectable Kurdish leaders as a terrorist. One contentment is that fascist script writers stepped up in the new serial and they begun cooperate with the ultra nationalist groups in Turkey.
This is how they see valley of the wolves in Wikipedia. Disgusting, wrong, shameful.
I do not agree some sciences but the movie does have nothing to do with our brothers Kurdish People but Terorist group PKK.
To be honest the quality of the movie is dramatically going down though. Another thing is that they are copying 24 (american movie series) and the quality is nowhere near 24.
The movie is getting out of line.
Egemen Coskun Milton Keynes England
This is how they see valley of the wolves in Wikipedia. Disgusting, wrong, shameful.
I do not agree some sciences but the movie does have nothing to do with our brothers Kurdish People but Terorist group PKK.
To be honest the quality of the movie is dramatically going down though. Another thing is that they are copying 24 (american movie series) and the quality is nowhere near 24.
The movie is getting out of line.
Egemen Coskun Milton Keynes England
Turkey's best TV series
ardaasllyyuu5 June 2021
Underrated Mafia series
tonakbe15 April 2022
It is a series which implicitly describes the deep state and mafia events that mostly took place in 1990 Turkey. Which great cast and nice script and screenplay this is best Turkish tv series that I ever watch. It is obviously a word class series but too much underrated even by Turkish audience, most of negative review are about how it contains so much conspiracy theories especially after 3rd season.
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