Hungarian Rhapsody
Magyar rapszódiaHungary, 1978, drama, 103 min., hungarian with french and lithuanian subtitles, N-13
This liturgical-surrealistic parable evokes the model-like events of the second decade of the century as reflected by the inner spiritual transformation of István Zsadányi, inspired by the figure of Endre Bajcsy-Zsilinszky. The young Zsadányi brothers of licentious habits kill the peasant leader András Baksa because he had humiliated their father. The fiercely nationalist István fights through World War I and in the following era of White Terror becomes a racist detachment officer and a Member of Parliament. After a lost battle, ridden by visions, he has his most devoted followers butchered. A mystical and fanatic love of freedom and the land turns him gradually to the common people. He leaves for the Baksa farm to face the son of the murdered old Baksa and the fate that awaits him.
Screenplay: Miklós Jancsó, Gyula Hernádi
Dir. of Photography: János Kende
Producer: Antal Bogács, József Marx
Cast: György Cserhalmi, Lajos Balázsovits, Imre Sarlai, József Madaras