What Is Anno Domini 1573 About?
The premise of Anno Domini 1573 in 332 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the rugged hills of 16th‑century Hrvatsko Zagorje, the weight of endless Turkish raids and crushing taxes presses down on a landscape that has learned to survive on hardship alone. The region’s scattered villages are bound together by a shared yearning for dignity, yet they live under the shadow of a demanding noble hierarchy that extracts every ounce of labor and grain. The film opens on this stark tableau, letting the wind‑blown forests, soot‑blackened cottages, and the distant clang of iron forge paint a world where the rhythm of daily life is dictated by fear and the thin hope of change.
Into this world steps Petar, a young man whose family ekes out a modest existence on the edge of the forest. When a wandering troupe of performers arrives, bringing with them a spark of laughter and defiant song, Petar finds himself drawn to their bold humor and the promise of something beyond the endless grind. Among the troupe he meets the radiant Regica, whose spirited presence seems to embody the yearning of the common folk. Along his path he also encounters the seasoned warrior Ilija Gregorić, the charismatic rebel leader Matija Gubec, the shrewd merchant Mikula, and the steadfast blacksmith—each representing a different facet of the simmering unrest that threads through the countryside.
The atmosphere is one of quiet tension, a blend of raw natural beauty and looming oppression that suffuses every scene with a palpable sense of impending upheaval. As whispers of an “Oathed Brotherhood” drift through the villages, the characters begin to sense that the time for patient endurance may be slipping away. The film balances the harsh reality of peasant life with moments of unexpected levity, crafting a narrative tone that is both gritty and poetic. It invites the viewer to linger on the faces of those who dream of equality, to feel the chill of winter on stone walls, and to wonder how far the spark of rebellion might travel before it either ignites or is smothered.
What Happens in Anno Domini 1573?
The complete story of Anno Domini 1573, from the first scene to the last, in 708 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Set in 1573, in the wooded hills of Hrvatsko Zagorje, Petar and his father venture into the forest under the shadow of Baron Tahy Tahy’s domain, hoping to bring food to their family. When Tahy’s men ambush them, Petar’s father is forced to strip and is hunted down and killed by Tahy’s dogs. Petar returns to a village where Tahy robs the peasants of food and even takes virgin girls to his castle. Rumors swirl about the Oathed Brotherhood, a group of peasant leaders determined to rise against the nobility.
A traveling comedian troupe arrives in the village, with the bold and sparkling presence of Regica. They perform to mock the local nobility and church, but when Tahy’s men close in, the villagers flee. Petar, hoping to use the troupe to locate the growing rebellion, follows them and encounters the fierce warrior Ilija Gregorić who fights Imperial troops single-handedly. Impressed by his courage, Petar becomes Gregorić’s squire, and the veteran leader tells him to seek out the blacksmith to learn his fate. blacksmith
The blacksmith helps them witness Gregorić’s daring escape, and the two set off together. Petar’s resolve hardens into a vow of revenge for his father. He joins the circle of rebellion when they meet the formidable leaders, including Matija Gubec and the trader Mikula. The group swears to strike soon, planning to move in from winter’s harsh grip, when peasants are most ready to rise. Gubec makes their overarching aim clear: “We want all men to be equal. The same as when they were born.” The oath is sealed as the leaders pledge to see this rebellion through.
When winter arrives, the peasants marshal their forces, and Petar returns home to discover his mother and sisters among the rebel ranks. With only a dagger, he joins the assault on Tahy’s castle. Tahy underestimates the mob, and his servants fall away as the peasants press forward. After brutal fighting, the walls are breached and the nobles are unmasked; a peasant girl takes Tahy’s son’s life, the castle’s stores are looted, and the rebels enjoy the wealth that comes with victory. They broadcast a proclamation that bans the nobility and the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, declaring independence.
In the rebel camp, Mikula faces judgment for theft; Gubec orders him hung, insisting that even founding supporters must be held to account. Gubec rises to remind his followers why they rose: to overturn the old order and ensure that their voices endure through the ages. The revelation that the visiting artist speaks Croatian, challenging foreign pretense, deepens the sense that truth and courage come from one’s own land. Petar meets peasants who have been captured and mutilated by the noble army—their warnings only steel his resolve to stay the course.
The rebellion gathers at Stubičko polje as Imperial forces approach. The battle unfolds with brutal courage and heavy losses on both sides. The comedian troupe is cut down in the chaos, mercenaries swarm the camp, and though the peasants stagger under the onslaught, they hold a stubborn line until reinforcements turn the tide. Petar is wounded, losing an eye, and the fighting grows fiercely costly for all involved.
In the aftermath, imperial and religious authorities erase the rebellion from memory. Matija Gubec is condemned and executed in a ritual of humiliation, bound to a mock throne and subjected to a cruel crown of heated metal before the throne is set aflame. Petar returns to his land, where the blacksmith’s workshop has been burned down, and he begins a new life with Regica. He and Regica start anew as a jester and performer, sharing a grim but hopeful refrain as they walk among the executed peasants, and he intones that the fight is far from over: “If they think this fight is done, they’re awfully mistaken. When we strike for a second time, not even their roots will stay on this land.”
Through triumphs and brutal losses, the film preserves the memory of a people who chose to challenge old powers, the costs of rebellion, and the enduring human hunger for dignity and equality. The final image—two unlikely survivors singing together beside the hanging victims—echoes a vow that history can bend, but not erase the quest for justice.
Anno Domini 1573 Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Petar's father is slain in the forest by Tahy's men” to “Ending image: resistance endures in memory”. 15 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Petar's father is slain in the forest by Tahy's men
Petar and his father are out in Baron Franjo Tahy's forest when Tahy's men ambush them. Petar's father is forced to strip naked, then is chased down and killed by Tahy's dogs. The brutal killing signals the start of Tahy's terror over the region.
When:1573 Where:Baron Franjo Tahy's forest
- 2
Tahy's oppression reaches the village
Petar returns to his village to find Tahy’s men stripping resources from the peasants and taking what they want. The nobility's cruelty spreads, as even young women are taken to Tahy’s castle. Rumors spread of the Oathed Brotherhood, a movement of peasant leaders preparing to rise.
When:1573 Where:Petar's village
- 3
Comedian troupe arrives and stirs trouble
A comedian troupe arrives in the village to mock the local nobility and church leadership, drawing crowds with their show. Tahy’s men approach, prompting the troupe to flee and hide. Petar begins to see them as potential allies in his search for the rebellion.
When:1573 Where:Petar's village
- 4
Petar learns from Ilija Gregorić and becomes his squire
Petar encounters Ilija Gregorić, who is single-handedly fighting Imperial troops and killing them. Gregorić takes Petar in as his squire, and they travel together toward the next town.
When:shortly after Where:the next town
- 5
Gregorić is captured; fate explained to Petar
En route, Gregorić is captured by Imperial soldiers just as an artist sketches him. Before he leaves, Gregorić tells Petar to head to a blacksmith to learn his fate.
When:soon after Where:near a town
- 6
Escape and resolve to seek vengeance
Petar goes to the blacksmith and witnesses Gregorić escape from the soldiers. They flee together, with Gregorić planning to leave the area while Petar insists on staying to seek vengeance for his father.
When:soon after Where:the blacksmith's vicinity
- 7
Rebel leaders gather and recruit Gregorić
Someone arrives with news that Gregorić is wanted at a meeting. At the gathering, Matija Gubec, Trgovac Mikula, and other peasant leaders reveal their plan to revolt and ask Gregorić to train and lead the troops.
When:before winter Where:meeting hall
- 8
Winter mobilization and family joins the rebellion
Winter comes and the peasants, led by Gregorić and the other leaders, gather with their main force. Petar arrives with his mother and sisters among the rebels, and he joins the ranks with only a dagger.
When:winter Where:peasant camp
- 9
Attack on Tahy's castle begins
The peasants march on Tahy's castle; Tahy underestimates them and sends servants to whip them away. The peasants press forward, Tahy hides, and the castle falls into their hands.
When:winter Where:Tahy's castle
- 10
The rebellion proclaims independence
With the castle in rebel hands, the peasants issue a proclamation banning the nobility and the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, declaring independence from the nobility.
When:after castle takeover Where:rebel camp
Show the other 5 events of Anno Domini 1573 Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Mikula's trial and the artist is exposed
Mikula is brought forward on charges of confiscating property; Gubec orders his execution, insisting their goal is to change the customs of the nobles and ensure the peasant voice is heard. The plan continues, and it’s revealed that the artist who had drawn the leaders actually speaks Croatian, challenging a foreign facade.
When:after Mikula's case Where:peasant camp
- 12
The Battle of Stubičko polje
News arrives that the Kaiser’s army is approaching. The peasant army defends Stubičko polje, luring a cavalry charge, then suffering a brutal turn as Imperial reinforcements arrive. The fighting brings heavy casualties, and Petar is wounded, losing an eye.
When:winter Where:Stubičko polje
- 13
Aftermath: burnings, execution, and mock cheers
In the aftermath, Imperial and Roman Catholic authorities burn all records of the rebellion. Gubec is executed; brave rebels are paraded through the streets and taunted by nobles, culminating in Gubec's death as he endures a crown of hot metal before the throne is set aflame.
When:aftermath Where:streets
- 14
Return home and a new life begins
Petar returns to his land, finds the blacksmith's location burned, and begins a new life with Regica. He fathers a child and adopts the role of a jester, continuing to entertain as a comedian after all.
When:post-rebellion Where:Petar's homeland
- 15
Ending image: resistance endures in memory
Petar and Regica sing together as they walk among the executed peasants hanging from torture wheels, a stark reminder that the struggle for equality will endure. The film closes on a note of defiant resolve for a second fight to come.
When:end of film Where:the land
Who Are the Main Characters in Anno Domini 1573?
7 characters, among them Petar — Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Ilija Gregorić — Velimir Živojinović and Matija Gubec — Fabijan Šovagović: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- P—
Petar — Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
Played by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
Petar is a young peasant whose father is killed by Tahy’s men. He follows the comedian troupe to join the uprising and to help avenge his family, evolving from a reluctant observer into a determined participant. He becomes a squire to Ilija Gregorić and later fights as a peasant soldier, ultimately returning as a jester amid the ruins of oppression.
- ⚔️ Young rebel
- 🧭 Quest for justice
- 🎭 Jester in the making
- IG
Ilija Gregorić — Velimir Živojinović
Played by Velimir Živojinović
A fearless fighter who takes on Imperial troops, inspiring the peasants with his bravery. He becomes the strategic leader of the uprising and acts as a mentor to Petar, training the rebels for battle. He is eventually captured by Imperial soldiers, underscoring the high human cost of rebellion.
- ⚔️ Military leadership
- 🕊️ Courage
- 🧭 Mentor
- MG
Matija Gubec — Fabijan Šovagović
Played by Fabijan Šovagović
A central figure in the rebellion, he rallies peasants around the call for equality and leads the movement against the nobles. He issues bold directives, including harsh decisions like Mikula’s execution, and frames a future vision of peasant rights. He faces a brutal end as the uprising collapses, becoming a martyr of the cause.
- ⚔️ Peasant leader
- 🗣️ Orator
- 🔥 Martyr
- MM
Merchant Mikula — Adem Čejvan
Played by Adem Čejvan
An early supporter of the revolt, Mikula embodies the upheaval’s economic stakes as property is seized during the uprising. He is condemned to hang as the rebels consolidate control, marking the harsh, unforgiving justice meted out within the movement.
- 💼 Merchant
- ⚖️ Controversial ally
- 🔥 Execution
- FT
Franjo Tahy — Pavle Vuisić
Played by Pavle Vuisić
The oppressive noble who exploits peasant labor and seizes resources for his own gain. He hides during the siege as the castle falls, emblematic of feudal tyranny that the uprising seeks to dethrone. His regime ultimately confronts a crumbling power structure as the rebellion advances.
- 👑 Noble oppression
- ⚔️ Feudal tyranny
- 🏰 Castle ruler
- R—
Regica — Ana Marija Šutej
Played by Ana Marija Šutej
Regica is a member of the comedian troupe that arrives to mock the nobility and church. Through satire, she helps awaken and unify the peasants, becoming a symbol of resistance. Her presence illustrates how performance can accompany and bolster political uprising.
- 🎭 Satire and resistance
- 🤝 Ally to peasants
- 🧭 Catalyst
- PM
Peter's mother — Minja Nikolić
Played by Minja Nikolić
Peter's mother stands among the rebels, representing the stakes of family life under oppression. She embodies the resilience and communal bonds that sustain the uprising. Her involvement underscores the human cost and solidarity within peasant communities.
- 👩👧 Family
- 🛡️ Protector
- 🕯️ Resilience
Where and When Is Anno Domini 1573 Set?
Anno Domini 1573 is set in Hrvatsko Zagorje and Croatia (1573). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1573
Set in 1573, during the late Renaissance in the Croatian lands under Habsburg rule. The winter campaign pits peasants against nobles and Imperial troops. Feudal oppression and a rising sense of collective justice drive the revolt, culminating in a clash at Stubičko polje.
Where
Hrvatsko Zagorje, Croatia
Hrvatsko Zagorje, a hilly region in northern Croatia, provides a rugged backdrop of forests and castles. The area is known for feudal estates and rough rural communities that spur conflict between peasants and nobles. The film uses these landscapes to stage the uprising and the siege on Tahy's castle.
- 🏞️ Rural landscape
- 🏰 Feudal region
- 🌄 Northern Croatia
What Are the Themes of Anno Domini 1573?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Rebellion, Memory and Art and Resistance.
-
01
Rebellion
The film centers on a peasant uprising against feudal oppression, led by Gregorić, Gubec, and their allies. It follows the gathering of peasants, the oath of unity, and the march on Tahy's castle. The clashes escalate into the Battle of Stubičko polje, illustrating the costs and complexities of revolt.
-
02
Memory
Authorities burn records of the uprising, erasing its official memory. The story emphasizes how memory shapes identity and who gets to write history. The film suggests that the struggle will echo beyond the moment through the survivors and subsequent generations.
-
03
Art and Resistance
A comedian troupe arrives to mock the nobility and church, using satire as a form of social resistance. Regica's presence shows how performance can mobilize and unify peasants. The ending juxtaposes comedy and oppression, underscoring art as a tool for collective memory.
What Kind of Film Is Anno Domini 1573?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A grim and brutal historical drama that steadily builds from acts of horrific oppression to a violent, tragic uprising, ending with a bittersweet mix of crushing defeat and enduring hope.
- brutal
- grim
- oppressive
- hopeful
- somber
- rebellious
- peasant revolt
- social injustice
- revenge
- oppression
Content notes: war violence, torture, execution, mutilation, oppression.
Quiz
How well do you remember Anno Domini 1573? Test yourself on the story.
