11 September 1683 is the title of an Italian-Polish film about the Battle of Vienna, to be directed by Renzo Martinelli.

Its central character is Marco d'Aviano, a wandering preacher for the Capuchin monastic order, who is credited with rallying Catholics and Protestants on the eve of the Battle of Vienna. The practical result of this alliance was the relief of Vienna, in which King Jan III Sobieski of Poland led an army of 70 thousand troops (Poles and Germans) against 100 thousand Turks besieging the capital of the Habsburgs. This military success was crucial to halting the advance of Turkish soldiers into Europe.

The character of Marco d'Aviano is to be played by Adrien Brody (Oscar award for his role in Polański’s The Pianist) or the Italian actor Raoul Bova. Harvey Keitel is to be cast as King Jan Sobieski.

The film’s budget is estimated at 12 million euro. Location shooting is to start in March 2011. The battle scenes are to be shot in Poland. (mk)