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+ | {{Era|ACL|Realworld|Featured}} |
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+ | {{Quote|[[Italy]]. 15th Century. The age of [[Renaissance]]. A time considered to be the rebirth of man. Yet behind humanity's expanding consciousness, a movement was taking place. A conspiracy by one corrupt family to overthrow the powerful [[House of Medici|Medici]] dynasty, and destroy a unified Italy. But there are still some who fought for justice, and followed an [[The Creed|ancient creed]]. And it is with them, that our story begins.|Opening narration of ''Lineage'''s first episode.|Assassin's Creed Lineage}} |
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{{Film Infobox |
{{Film Infobox |
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− | | |
+ | |name = Assassin's Creed: Lineage |
− | | |
+ | |image = Assassins Creed Lineage Cover.jpg |
− | | |
+ | |caption = |
− | | |
+ | |director = {{Wiki|Yves Simoneau}} |
− | | |
+ | |producer = {{Wiki|Pierre Raymond (CEO of Hybride)|Pierre Raymond}}/{{Wiki|Serge Hascoet}}, {{Wiki|Yannis Mallat}}<br>[[Yves Guillemot]] <small>(executive)</small><br>{{Wiki|Ian Whitehead}} (line) |
− | | |
+ | |writer = {{Wiki|William Raymond}}, {{Wiki|Yves Simoneau}} |
− | | |
+ | |narrator = [[Romano Orzari]] |
− | | |
+ | |starring = Romano Orzari |
− | | |
+ | |music = {{Wiki|George S. Clinton}} |
− | | |
+ | |cinematography = {{Wiki|Guy Dufaux}} |
− | | |
+ | |editing = {{Wiki|Isabelle Malenfant}} |
− | | |
+ | |studio = [[Ubisoft]] (Digital Arts and {{Wiki|Ubisoft Montreal|Montreal}})<br>Hybride Technologies |
− | | |
+ | |distributor = |
− | | |
+ | |released = |
− | (Episode 1): |
+ | (Episode 1): 26 October 2009 |
− | (Episode 2): |
+ | (Episode 2 and 3): 12 November 2009 |
⚫ | |||
− | (Episode 3): November 12, 2009 |
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⚫ | |||
(Episode 1): 14:12 |
(Episode 1): 14:12 |
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(Episode 2): 09:45 |
(Episode 2): 09:45 |
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(Episode 3): 14:21 |
(Episode 3): 14:21 |
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− | | |
+ | |country = {{Wiki|Canada}} |
− | | |
+ | |language = {{Wiki|English language|English}} |
− | | |
+ | |budget = |
− | | |
+ | |gross = |
− | | |
+ | |preceded_by = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'' |
− | | |
+ | |followed_by = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''}} |
⚫ | '''''Assassin's Creed: Lineage''''' is a series of three short films based on the universe of the video game ''[[Assassin's Creed (series)|Assassin's Creed]]'', and were created by [[Ubisoft]]. The first episode was released on 26 October 2009 via {{Wiki|YouTube}}, and the final two episodes were released on 12 November 2009 on {{Wiki|Spike TV}}, before being later uploaded to YouTube for international viewing purposes. |
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− | }} |
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+ | Created as a bridge for ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', the film details the time of [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze]] as an [[Assassins|Assassin]] for the Medici, and how he uncovered a conspiracy that threatened the power of the ruling body in [[Florence]]. |
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⚫ | '''''Assassin's Creed: Lineage''''' is a series of three short films based on the universe of the video game ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' |
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+ | A DVD composing of all of ''Lineage'''s episodes was later included in some of the [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood#Editions|special editions]] of ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''. |
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− | The films are directed by the Canadian film director: [[wikipedia:Yves Simoneau|Yves Simoneau]].<ref name="QA">http://assassinscreed.fr.ubi.com/assassins-creed-2/community_news/?p=1242</ref> |
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+ | The complete ''Lineage'' is also available for purchase on Blu-ray disc, with extra content such as ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]'', development diaries, and trailers. |
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⚫ | |||
− | The story takes place before the events of the video game ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''. It centers around the father of the game's main character (Ezio): [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze]]. Giovanni is an [[Assassin]] living during the [[Renaissance]] in [[Italy]] ([[wikipedia:15th century|15th century]]). The story introduces the situation before ''Assassin's Creed II'', and the enemies of both characters. |
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+ | These shorts are also included in [[Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection|The Ezio Collection]]. |
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− | ===Episode 1 (''[[Florence|Firenze]]'')=== |
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− | The story begins around 1476, in Florence, Italy. Giovanni Auditore, the current Assassin, begins his monologue that even though history would remember the dawn of a new era for Italy where art, culture and science are flourishing under the guidance of enlightened minds, corruption, betrayal, murder and dangerous secrets are rampant as well. From the shadows, he quietly watches his family enjoying themselves, before departing into the streets of Florence, stating that these values (justice, honour and the safety of his family) are what guide his blade, and to preserve order. Outside, he ambushes [[Rodrigo Borgia]] and his men as they attempt to sneak out of the city under cover of darkness. Giovanni is able to kill two of the bodyguards and incapacitate the third, but Borgia escapes in the confusion. |
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− | He then brings the injured man to the ''palazzo'' of his employer, [[Lorenzo de' Medici]], where he gives his report and warns him of the rumors he has heard in the streets: something about an "important event" that would cause a shift of power within Florence. Lorenzo has the captive interrogated: under torture on the [[wikipedia:Rack (torture)|rack]], and with the urging of Lorenzo's ally, [[Uberto Alberti]], the prisoner finally confesses that in the city of [[Milan]], on the [[wikipedia:St. Stephen's Day|Feast of Santo Stefano]], when "the bell rings for the twelfth and last time," the [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza|Duke of Milan]] will be assassinated. |
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+ | In the year 1476, the Assassin Giovanni Auditore skipped dinner with [[House of Auditore|his family]] to intercept [[Rodrigo Borgia]], who was roaming the streets of [[Florence]]. Ambushing Rodrigo and his men, Giovanni subdued two of Borgia's guards and kept one alive for interrogation. As Rodrigo fled, Giovanni reported to [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] about his investigations, stating to Lorenzo how an important event would affect the balance of power in Florence. The Medici, along with [[Uberto Alberti]], then interrogated Giovanni's captive while torturing him on the rack, making him reveal the details of Borgia's plan: an [[Assassination of Galeazzo Maria Sforza|assassination]] was planned for Duke [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza]] during the Feast of Saint Stephen in [[Milan]], to be carried out by Rodrigo's allies. To this, Lorenzo immediately ordered Giovanni to stop the assassination by going to Milan. |
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+ | [[File:Screen shot 12.png|thumb|250px|left|Galeazzo Sforza, dead on the church floor]] |
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− | Giovanni races to Milan and finds the Duke at Mass in church, but is unable to intervene before the murder is committed, and the Duke is betrayed and killed (by supposedly high-ranking officials of the Milan court), by stabbing once on the chest and another on his left shoulder. The murderers are swiftly dispatched by the Duke's guards and Giovanni himself; however, despite Giovanni's plea to take the last of the conspirators alive for interrogation, the Duke's guard snaps his neck with his polearm. Giovanni then searches the body of the main killer, finding a coin inside a pouch stamped with the coat of arms of [[Venice]]. |
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+ | During Mass, Galeazzo Sforza payed tribute at the altar, as [[Giovanni Andrea Lampugnani]], [[Gerolamo Olgiati]], and [[Carlo Visconti]] – officials of the Milan court – approached him. As Giovanni hurriedly made his way to Sforza through the crowd, Lampugnani commenced the assassination, which incited the church crowd. Giovanni helped subdue the assailants while Sforza's personal bodyguard chased down Lampugnani. Lampugnani was then pinned down by Sforza's bodyguard, and despite Giovanni's pleas to spare him, the guard killed Lampugnani. As the guard attended to his master's body, Giovanni inspected Lampugnani's corpse, finding a sack of [[Venice|Venetian]] coins in Lampugnani's satchel, which he took as evidence. |
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− | Returning home, Giovanni |
+ | Returning home, Giovanni witnessed his sons [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] and [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] playing chess as he and [[Maria Auditore da Firenze|Maria]] watched. After giving Ezio advice on how to be a better player, Giovanni later lamented in private about the loss of the Duke of Milan, and how the Medici was deprived of a powerful ally. He then resumed his search for the conspirators, as he prepared to head for Venice to further investigate the lead of the coins in the satchel. |
+ | [[File:Screen shot 2.2.png|thumb|250px|Giovanni eavesdropping on a palace official's business]] |
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− | ===Episode 2 (''[[Venice|Venezia]]'')=== |
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− | + | Arriving at Venice, Giovanni headed for the [[Palazzo Ducale di Venezia|Palazzo Ducale]], which bore the same insignia as the coins Lampugnani possessed. Subduing a palace guard, Giovanni managed to enter the palace and [[Eavesdropping|eavesdropped]] on a meeting between a courier and an [[Marco Barbarigo|official]], where the latter ordered the former to deliver a letter to their "master" in [[Rome]]. Giovanni followed the courier and intercepted him in a secluded area, but while Giovanni attempted to interrogate him, the courier killed himself with Giovanni's [[Hidden Blade]]. Despite the setback, Giovanni then inspected the courier's body, and took the letter from the officials with him back to Florence. |
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+ | After returning to Florence, Giovanni handed over the encrypted letter to the Medici. They then passed on the letter to Uberto Alberti, who handed it to his men. The priest [[Antonio Maffei]] was able to decipher the encryption and gave it to Alberti, who disposed of the deciphered letter after telling Maffei to keep silent over the matter. He then ordered Maffei to fetch Giovanni while he woke Lorenzo. Giovanni prepared to leave as he bid goodbye to his wife and talked to Ezio about his business. |
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− | Back in Florence, Giovanni presents the letter to Lorenzo de' Medici: however, it is encrypted, written in a strange code. Uberto states it will take several hours to decode the message, and sends Giovanni home to get some rest, promising to call him when it is done. [[Antonio Maffei|Father Maffei]], a monk in Medici's service was able to translate the contents of the letter and presents it to Uberto, who tells the priest to summon Giovanni as he will wake Lorenzo up, but imposes him an oath of silence not to tell the true contents of the letter to anyone (''Secrets are born here, and they die here.''). At the Auditore villa, Giovanni enjoys an intimate moment with his wife before leaving, with [[Maria Auditore da Firenze|Maria]] urging him to talk to Ezio, who was watching his parents from behind a nearby haystack. His son, Ezio, is confused as to why his father, a banker, leaves so often in the middle of the night, and Giovanni simply replies "Business calls." Ezio then says he wants to go with him, but Giovanni refuses, stating he needs to assist his older brother in taking care of the family while he is away (''You're helping more than you know, Ezio.''). |
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+ | [[File:Screen shot 2.12.png|thumb|250px|left|Giovanni preparing to leave for Rome, with Uberto and Lorenzo]] |
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− | At the ''palazzo'', Uberto claims they were unable to decipher the letter, and therefore the only way to see who it is intended for is to take it to Rome and deliver it personally. In spite of the danger and warnings of Lorenzo, Giovanni volunteers to take it, stating he knows the information of the drop-off point: Lorenzo instructs him to find "the pits where these snakes lie, and be merciless". Back in Venice, the Barbarigos, with Rodrigo Borgia at their head, pray [[Father of Understanding|"May the Father of Understanding be with us!"]], as they lay their swords down on the table in [[Templars|a familiar cross symbol]]. |
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+ | At the [[Palazzo Medici]], Uberto claimed to have failed in the decryption of the letter. He then followed up with a contingency plan, stating that Giovanni should deliver the letter and track the steps of the other couriers, and follow where it led. Giovanni, who knew where to find the other couriers, took the letter and left for Rome, while Rodrigo Borgia began to plot with the [[House of Barbarigo]] and his other [[Templars|Templar]] accomplices. |
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+ | In Rome, Giovanni delivered the letter and tracked the movement of the other couriers, which eventually led him to Rodrigo Borgia. Rodrigo then delivered it personally to [[Papacy|Pope]] [[Sixtus IV]], who did not take the letter and denoted Borgia being turned into a simple courier. Rodrigo then tried to convince him otherwise about the subject, which was about the Medici's lack of respect for Papal authority. Rodrigo suggested that the Pope force submission onto Lorenzo, which he disapproved of. However, he later gave his blessing and military to aid Rodrigo for the operation, so long as order was maintained in the city. Rodrigo, pleased about the agreement he had obtained, left the Pope's quarters. |
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− | ===Episode 3 (''[[Rome|Roma]]'')=== |
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− | Giovanni arrives in Rome and delivers the letter as planned, and passes through several change of hands in the crowd until it reaches Borgia. He goes straight to the [[wikipedia:Vatican City|Vatican]], where he delivers the letter to [[wikipedia:Pope Sixtus IV|Pope Sixtus IV]], at which he does not take it. The pair discuss about Lorenzo de' Medici's defiance to the Pope's authority; when Borgia explains that the opportunity to strike is at hand, as Florence is now weak, and Sixtus IV can force Lorenzo into submission, the Pope disapproves of the idea, stating "It is not part of my office to consent on the death of anyone,", but then says he will lend his spiritual support and military aid for the "greater good" in the Florentine republic, and to "assure order is maintained". |
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+ | [[File:Screen shot 3.6.png|thumb|250px|Rodrigo asking for Pope Sixtus IV's consent]] |
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− | As Borgia leaves, he is followed by Giovanni. But Borgia manages to give Giovanni the slip, and disappears into [[Basilica di San Pietro|St. Peter's Basilica]]. As he investigates inside, he is confronted by Borgia, who remarks that what follows next is of his making. He appreciates that Giovanni's skills would be of much use to his cause, and that if he joins them, he will live to see 'a new world'. When Giovanni refuses, and remarks the only way this will end is with a blade in Borgia's throat, he sneers "We shall see!", and orders his men to attack. Giovanni fights bravely and defeats his attackers (at the cost of his hidden blade to be broken in the process), but is struck in the chest with a knife thrown by Borgia. Though he survives, Borgia uses the opportunity to escape. |
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+ | Giovanni later followed Rodrigo's trail after he left the Vatican, and arrived at the [[St. Peter's Basilica|Basilica di San Pietro]]. Further in, Giovanni was later greeted by Rodrigo, who tried to convince him to join his cause – the Templars. Giovanni refused, to which Rodrigo replied by sending five assailants to dispose of Giovanni. Despite the lopsided numbers, and his hidden blade being broken at one point, Giovanni was successful in subduing the assailants. However, the unentangled Rodrigo threw a [[Throwing knives|knife]] at Giovanni, which hit him in the chest. As Giovanni tried to remove the knife, Rodrigo escaped the Basilica. |
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− | + | Wounded, Giovanni returned to Florence, where his wife attended to his injury. He later confided with her about the assassination of Galeazzo Sforza going beyond Milan, fearing that the conspiracy would involve his family, the Medici, and Florence. Just then, armed guards led by Antonio Maffei arrived at their doorsteps, asking for Giovanni. He told Federico to buy him some time while he escaped, which succeeded. |
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+ | [[File:Screen shot 3.14.png|thumb|250px|left|Giovanni walking in the darkness]] |
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− | Back in Rome, Borgia and his fellow Templars agree the main threat to their plans is Giovanni: however, Borgia says he has a plan to deal with the Assassin, and that with him gone, nothing will stand in their way. Back in Florence, Giovanni prowls under the shadows of the streets (pausing to muse when he sees Ezio flirting with his girlfriend in the street), monologuing that dark days are approaching Florence and time is running out: the final battle is about to begin. He remarks that no matter what happens, "For we are the Auditore da Firenze, and we are Assassins!" |
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+ | At an undisclosed location, Rodrigo and his other cohorts agreed that Giovanni was a threat to their plan, and began to discuss a way to dispose of him, so that nothing would stand in their way. Giovanni later escaped through the secret passages and was able to see Ezio, flirting with a lady, as he left the entrance and moved onto the streets. Fearing the worst for Florence, Giovanni tried to assure the safety of his family by stating that their Assassin lineage would give them strength in the coming battles. |
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− | The film concludes with the message "The conclusion...is in your hands", setting the scene for ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''. |
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==Cast== |
==Cast== |
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+ | [[File:LineageBorgia.jpg|thumb|250px|Manuel Tadros as Rodrigo Borgia in ''Lineage'']] |
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− | The films and the game |
+ | The films and the game shared a common cast. The actors were {{Wiki|motion capture|mo-capped}} (for narrative sequences), and their faces were scanned and their voices recorded for the video game.<ref name="Develop-Online">[http://www.develop-online.net/features/644/Lights-camera-assassin Develop-Online: Lights, Camera, Assassin]</ref> The cast are as follows: |
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− | * |
+ | *[[Romano Orzari]] as [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze]] |
− | * |
+ | *[[Manuel Tadros]] as [[Rodrigo Borgia]] |
− | * |
+ | *[[Jesse Rath]] as [[Federico Auditore da Firenze]] |
− | * |
+ | *{{Wiki|Devon Bostick}} as [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] |
− | * |
+ | *[[Claudia Ferri]] as [[Maria Auditore da Firenze]] |
+ | *Connor Nikides Kokolakis as [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze]] |
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− | * [[Michel Perron]] as [[Uberto Alberti]] |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
− | * |
+ | *[[Alex Ivanovici]] as [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] |
− | * |
+ | *[[Michel Perron]] as [[Uberto Alberti]] |
+ | *[[Arthur Grosser]] as [[Sixtus IV|Pope Sixtus IV]] |
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− | * [[wikipedia:Peter Miller (actor)|Peter Miller]] as [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza]] |
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− | * |
+ | *[[Shawn Baichoo]] as [[Antonio Maffei|Father Maffei]] |
− | * |
+ | *{{Wiki|Peter Miller (actor)|Peter Miller}} as [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza]] |
+ | *[[Harry Standjofski]] as [[Silvio Barbarigo]] |
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⚫ | |||
+ | *Frank Fontaine as [[Marco Barbarigo]] |
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==Production== |
==Production== |
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+ | [[File:LineageSet.jpg|thumb|250px|Romano Orzari and the crew on set]] |
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− | Both film makers and game makers worked very closely to link the two titles. |
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⚫ | Both the film producers and game developers worked very closely to link the two titles. Live actors were filmed on a {{Wiki|Chroma key|green screen}}, which was then replaced by the game's environment that was extracted from the [[Anvil (game engine)|Anvil game engine]] to {{Wiki|Autodesk Softimage}}. Adding to this, half of the assets were re-worked on the texture and geometrical levels before being exported to be used in the film.<ref name="Develop-Online"/> |
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⚫ | The score of the film was composed by {{Wiki|George S. Clinton}}, unlike ''[[Assassin's Creed II soundtrack|Assassin's Creed II'<nowiki/>]]''[[Assassin's Creed II soundtrack|s soundtrack]], which was scored by [[Jesper Kyd]].<ref>[http://www.sibeliusblog.com/people/assassins-creed-lineage-scored-in-sibelius/ ''Assassin's Creed: Lineage'' scored in Sibelius]</ref> |
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==Promotion and release== |
==Promotion and release== |
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− | Ubisoft acquired |
+ | Ubisoft acquired the {{Wiki|post-production}} {{Wiki|Visual effects|VFX}} studio Hybride Technologies based in {{Wiki|Montreal}} on July 7, 2008, as part of their strategy to extend its brands to other media forms, and to converge gaming and filming entertainment.<ref>[http://www.ubi.com/UK/News/Info.aspx?nId=5334 Ubisoft acquires Hybride Technologies]</ref> A year later, during a press conference held at {{Wiki|Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009|E3 2009}}, Ubisoft revealed the making of short films based on the universe of ''Assassin's Creed II'' using the game's engine, with the participation of Hybride and Ubisoft Digital Arts. |
+ | Ubisoft then released more details about the project during 2009's {{Wiki|San Diego Comic-Con International|Comic-Con}}, revealing some behind-the-scenes shots at the same time.<ref>{{Youtube|re-riptY5CM|Assassin's Creed 2 Comic-Con panel|UC_fwlBSrMIfdb4Br2O_Fzlw|Assassin's Creed UK}}</ref> The first episode was shown to the press during a premiere at a theater in the {{Wiki|Champs-Élysées}} on October 19, 2009, and a public teaser trailer was released that same day. |
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− | A year later, during a press conference held at the [[wikipedia:Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009|E3 2009]], Ubisoft revealed the making of short films based on the universe of ''Assassin's Creed II'' using the game's engine with the participation of Hybride and Ubisoft Digital Arts.<ref name="e3">http://evenements.fr.ubi.com/conference/}</ref> |
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+ | The first episode was released on YouTube on October 26, 2009. The second episode premiered on Spike TV on November 12, 2009 at 12am, and the third episode premiered in the United Kingdom on Film24 on November 22, 2009 at 9pm. |
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− | Ubisoft then released more details about the project during the 2009's [[wikipedia:San Diego Comic-Con International|Comic-Con]], revealing some behind the scenes shots at the same period.<ref name="comiccon">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re-riptY5CM</ref> |
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+ | ==Trivia== |
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− | The first episode was shown to the press during a premiere at a theater in the [[wikipedia:Champs-Élysées|Champs-Élysées]] on October 19, 2009<ref name="premiere">http://www.assassinscreedfrance.fr/a-ne-pas-manquer/nos-impression-sur-assassins-creed-lineage/</ref> and a public teaser trailer was released on the same day.<ref name="trailer">http://videos.uk.ubi.com/videos/lmdwc4na-assassins-creed-short-movies-teaser.htm</ref> |
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+ | *There were some differences in Giovanni's Assassin robes in ''Lineage'' that contrasted with their appearance in ''Assassin's Creed II''. |
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− | |||
+ | **The robes in ''Lineage'' did not have beak-shaped tip of the hood that was present in ''Assassin's Creed II''. |
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− | The first episode was released on YouTube on October 26, 2009.<ref name="twitter"/> |
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+ | **Giovanni's [[Short blades|short blade]] holster was at the side of his boot, while Ezio kept his short blade on the belt. |
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− | |||
+ | **Giovanni only kept two throwing knives on his robes, while Ezio was able to keep a total of twenty five knives. Also, Giovanni kept his throwing knives on holsters on his chest, while Ezio kept them on the belt. |
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− | It premiered on Spike TV on Thursday, November 12 at 12:00 A.M., Wednesday night. It premiered in the UK on Film24 on Sunday, November 22 at 9 P.M. |
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+ | *Giovanni's secret room had a mannequin prepared to hold his Assassin robes, while in ''Assassin's Creed II'', it was kept in a chest, along with the rest of his belongings. |
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− | |||
+ | *The film showed how Giovanni's Hidden Blade was broken during the fight with the assailants in Rome. Ezio eventually had it fixed by his friend and ally [[Leonardo da Vinci]]. |
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− | DVD included as part of the Assassins Creed: Brotherhood, Codex Edition |
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+ | *During the first episode, the Auditore family had a male servant attending to their needs in the dining room. In ''Assassin's Creed II'', the only servant present in the Auditore household was [[Annetta]]. |
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− | ==Full Movie== |
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− | |||
− | <center><youtube width="480" height="270">vcE8xJkK6t4</youtube></center> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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⚫ | |||
− | <references/> |
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+ | {{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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− | *[http://assassinscreedlineage.us.ubi.com/ |
+ | *[http://assassinscreedlineage.us.ubi.com/ The official site] of ''Assassin's Creed: Lineage'' |
− | *[http://www.ubi.com |
+ | *[http://www.ubi.com Ubisoft]'s official site |
− | *[http://www.hybride.com/index_en.html |
+ | *[http://www.hybride.com/index_en.html The official site] of Hybride Technologies |
− | *[http://www.youtube.com/ |
+ | *[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcE8xJkK6t4 The complete movie] of ''Lineage'' on YouTube |
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+ | [[de:Assassin’s Creed: Lineage]] |
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+ | [[es:Assassin's Creed: Lineage]] |
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+ | [[fa:کیش قاتلان: دودمان]] |
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+ | [[fr:Assassin's Creed: Lineage]] |
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+ | [[hu:Assassin's Creed: Lineage]] |
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+ | [[it:Assassin's Creed: Lineage]] |
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+ | [[lt:Assassin's Creed: Lineage]] |
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+ | [[nl:Assassin's Creed: Lineage]] |
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+ | [[pl:Assassin's Creed: Rodowód]] |
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+ | [[pt-br:Assassin's Creed: Lineage]] |
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+ | [[ru:Assassin's Creed: Происхождение]] |
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+ | [[uk:Assassin's Creed: Lineage]] |
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+ | [[zh:刺客信条:血系]] |
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+ | [[Category:Assassin's Creed series]] |
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+ | [[Category:Real world short films]] |
Revision as of 15:03, 3 January 2020
- "Italy. 15th Century. The age of Renaissance. A time considered to be the rebirth of man. Yet behind humanity's expanding consciousness, a movement was taking place. A conspiracy by one corrupt family to overthrow the powerful Medici dynasty, and destroy a unified Italy. But there are still some who fought for justice, and followed an ancient creed. And it is with them, that our story begins."
- ―Opening narration of Lineage's first episode.[src]
Assassin's Creed: Lineage is a series of three short films based on the universe of the video game Assassin's Creed, and were created by Ubisoft. The first episode was released on 26 October 2009 via YouTube, and the final two episodes were released on 12 November 2009 on Spike TV, before being later uploaded to YouTube for international viewing purposes.
Created as a bridge for Assassin's Creed and Assassin's Creed II, the film details the time of Giovanni Auditore da Firenze as an Assassin for the Medici, and how he uncovered a conspiracy that threatened the power of the ruling body in Florence.
A DVD composing of all of Lineage's episodes was later included in some of the special editions of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.
The complete Lineage is also available for purchase on Blu-ray disc, with extra content such as Assassin's Creed: Ascendance, development diaries, and trailers.
These shorts are also included in The Ezio Collection.
Plot
In the year 1476, the Assassin Giovanni Auditore skipped dinner with his family to intercept Rodrigo Borgia, who was roaming the streets of Florence. Ambushing Rodrigo and his men, Giovanni subdued two of Borgia's guards and kept one alive for interrogation. As Rodrigo fled, Giovanni reported to Lorenzo de' Medici about his investigations, stating to Lorenzo how an important event would affect the balance of power in Florence. The Medici, along with Uberto Alberti, then interrogated Giovanni's captive while torturing him on the rack, making him reveal the details of Borgia's plan: an assassination was planned for Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza during the Feast of Saint Stephen in Milan, to be carried out by Rodrigo's allies. To this, Lorenzo immediately ordered Giovanni to stop the assassination by going to Milan.
During Mass, Galeazzo Sforza payed tribute at the altar, as Giovanni Andrea Lampugnani, Gerolamo Olgiati, and Carlo Visconti – officials of the Milan court – approached him. As Giovanni hurriedly made his way to Sforza through the crowd, Lampugnani commenced the assassination, which incited the church crowd. Giovanni helped subdue the assailants while Sforza's personal bodyguard chased down Lampugnani. Lampugnani was then pinned down by Sforza's bodyguard, and despite Giovanni's pleas to spare him, the guard killed Lampugnani. As the guard attended to his master's body, Giovanni inspected Lampugnani's corpse, finding a sack of Venetian coins in Lampugnani's satchel, which he took as evidence.
Returning home, Giovanni witnessed his sons Ezio and Federico playing chess as he and Maria watched. After giving Ezio advice on how to be a better player, Giovanni later lamented in private about the loss of the Duke of Milan, and how the Medici was deprived of a powerful ally. He then resumed his search for the conspirators, as he prepared to head for Venice to further investigate the lead of the coins in the satchel.
Arriving at Venice, Giovanni headed for the Palazzo Ducale, which bore the same insignia as the coins Lampugnani possessed. Subduing a palace guard, Giovanni managed to enter the palace and eavesdropped on a meeting between a courier and an official, where the latter ordered the former to deliver a letter to their "master" in Rome. Giovanni followed the courier and intercepted him in a secluded area, but while Giovanni attempted to interrogate him, the courier killed himself with Giovanni's Hidden Blade. Despite the setback, Giovanni then inspected the courier's body, and took the letter from the officials with him back to Florence.
After returning to Florence, Giovanni handed over the encrypted letter to the Medici. They then passed on the letter to Uberto Alberti, who handed it to his men. The priest Antonio Maffei was able to decipher the encryption and gave it to Alberti, who disposed of the deciphered letter after telling Maffei to keep silent over the matter. He then ordered Maffei to fetch Giovanni while he woke Lorenzo. Giovanni prepared to leave as he bid goodbye to his wife and talked to Ezio about his business.
At the Palazzo Medici, Uberto claimed to have failed in the decryption of the letter. He then followed up with a contingency plan, stating that Giovanni should deliver the letter and track the steps of the other couriers, and follow where it led. Giovanni, who knew where to find the other couriers, took the letter and left for Rome, while Rodrigo Borgia began to plot with the House of Barbarigo and his other Templar accomplices.
In Rome, Giovanni delivered the letter and tracked the movement of the other couriers, which eventually led him to Rodrigo Borgia. Rodrigo then delivered it personally to Pope Sixtus IV, who did not take the letter and denoted Borgia being turned into a simple courier. Rodrigo then tried to convince him otherwise about the subject, which was about the Medici's lack of respect for Papal authority. Rodrigo suggested that the Pope force submission onto Lorenzo, which he disapproved of. However, he later gave his blessing and military to aid Rodrigo for the operation, so long as order was maintained in the city. Rodrigo, pleased about the agreement he had obtained, left the Pope's quarters.
Giovanni later followed Rodrigo's trail after he left the Vatican, and arrived at the Basilica di San Pietro. Further in, Giovanni was later greeted by Rodrigo, who tried to convince him to join his cause – the Templars. Giovanni refused, to which Rodrigo replied by sending five assailants to dispose of Giovanni. Despite the lopsided numbers, and his hidden blade being broken at one point, Giovanni was successful in subduing the assailants. However, the unentangled Rodrigo threw a knife at Giovanni, which hit him in the chest. As Giovanni tried to remove the knife, Rodrigo escaped the Basilica.
Wounded, Giovanni returned to Florence, where his wife attended to his injury. He later confided with her about the assassination of Galeazzo Sforza going beyond Milan, fearing that the conspiracy would involve his family, the Medici, and Florence. Just then, armed guards led by Antonio Maffei arrived at their doorsteps, asking for Giovanni. He told Federico to buy him some time while he escaped, which succeeded.
At an undisclosed location, Rodrigo and his other cohorts agreed that Giovanni was a threat to their plan, and began to discuss a way to dispose of him, so that nothing would stand in their way. Giovanni later escaped through the secret passages and was able to see Ezio, flirting with a lady, as he left the entrance and moved onto the streets. Fearing the worst for Florence, Giovanni tried to assure the safety of his family by stating that their Assassin lineage would give them strength in the coming battles.
Cast
The films and the game shared a common cast. The actors were mo-capped (for narrative sequences), and their faces were scanned and their voices recorded for the video game.[1] The cast are as follows:
- Romano Orzari as Giovanni Auditore da Firenze
- Manuel Tadros as Rodrigo Borgia
- Jesse Rath as Federico Auditore da Firenze
- Devon Bostick as Ezio Auditore da Firenze
- Claudia Ferri as Maria Auditore da Firenze
- Connor Nikides Kokolakis as Petruccio Auditore da Firenze
- Devery Jacobs as Claudia Auditore da Firenze
- Alex Ivanovici as Lorenzo de' Medici
- Michel Perron as Uberto Alberti
- Arthur Grosser as Pope Sixtus IV
- Shawn Baichoo as Father Maffei
- Peter Miller as Galeazzo Maria Sforza
- Harry Standjofski as Silvio Barbarigo
- Frank Fontaine as Marco Barbarigo
- Roc Lafortune as Prisoner/Man #1
- Maxime Savaria as Messenger
Production
Both the film producers and game developers worked very closely to link the two titles. Live actors were filmed on a green screen, which was then replaced by the game's environment that was extracted from the Anvil game engine to Autodesk Softimage. Adding to this, half of the assets were re-worked on the texture and geometrical levels before being exported to be used in the film.[1]
For the costumes, historians researched traditional dress and concept artists from Ubisoft made illustrations of each costume, which was then created by a costume maker from the film team. These costumes eventually influenced the 3D models in Assassin's Creed II.[1]
Corey May, the writer from Assassin's Creed II worked closely with the Assassin's Creed: Lineage scriptwriter, William Raymond, in order to make sure both stories were linked to the series' universe.[1]
Soundtrack
The score of the film was composed by George S. Clinton, unlike Assassin's Creed II's soundtrack, which was scored by Jesper Kyd.[2]
Promotion and release
Ubisoft acquired the post-production VFX studio Hybride Technologies based in Montreal on July 7, 2008, as part of their strategy to extend its brands to other media forms, and to converge gaming and filming entertainment.[3] A year later, during a press conference held at E3 2009, Ubisoft revealed the making of short films based on the universe of Assassin's Creed II using the game's engine, with the participation of Hybride and Ubisoft Digital Arts.
Ubisoft then released more details about the project during 2009's Comic-Con, revealing some behind-the-scenes shots at the same time.[4] The first episode was shown to the press during a premiere at a theater in the Champs-Élysées on October 19, 2009, and a public teaser trailer was released that same day.
The first episode was released on YouTube on October 26, 2009. The second episode premiered on Spike TV on November 12, 2009 at 12am, and the third episode premiered in the United Kingdom on Film24 on November 22, 2009 at 9pm.
Trivia
- There were some differences in Giovanni's Assassin robes in Lineage that contrasted with their appearance in Assassin's Creed II.
- The robes in Lineage did not have beak-shaped tip of the hood that was present in Assassin's Creed II.
- Giovanni's short blade holster was at the side of his boot, while Ezio kept his short blade on the belt.
- Giovanni only kept two throwing knives on his robes, while Ezio was able to keep a total of twenty five knives. Also, Giovanni kept his throwing knives on holsters on his chest, while Ezio kept them on the belt.
- Giovanni's secret room had a mannequin prepared to hold his Assassin robes, while in Assassin's Creed II, it was kept in a chest, along with the rest of his belongings.
- The film showed how Giovanni's Hidden Blade was broken during the fight with the assailants in Rome. Ezio eventually had it fixed by his friend and ally Leonardo da Vinci.
- During the first episode, the Auditore family had a male servant attending to their needs in the dining room. In Assassin's Creed II, the only servant present in the Auditore household was Annetta.
References
External links
- The official site of Assassin's Creed: Lineage
- Ubisoft's official site
- The official site of Hybride Technologies
- The complete movie of Lineage on YouTube