Then I Sentenced Them All to Death

a child. a poor idiot. and their strange, natural friendship. the war. theirs games. and a murder. the broken silence of a village. the fear. and the solution for protect the lives of the elite. a film about childhood and life. profound psychological analysis from a director well known for his historical films. and a great role for Amza Pellea, the role of his life for the young Cristian Șofron. portrait of souls, the film presents the clash between different universes. and the impact of key moments for each character - the lost of his father and the war as model for revenge for the boy, the radical change of social perception for Ipu, the basic fear of people who define the escape from death as trade. in same measure, it is an interesting picture of the universe of village. and one of the most significant films by Sergiu Nicolaescu.

This is in the top of the list for Sergiu's best films, maybe right under "Mihai Viteazu". A delicate, clever insight on human behavior in times of fear and oppression, written by Titus Popovici, Sergiu's long-time friend and collaborator. Powerhouse cast and crew renders even more beauty to the script. For a change, everything works in this Romanian film. From the first shot, one can feel this is a great film - the kid running in the field, and this feeling persists to the mind-blowing end. Discussions about the army, between Pellea and the kid, the dinner sequence, the funeral rehearsal - they are all unforgettable moments. Definitevly a winner at Cannes Festival 1971, if it had been selected.

Both stories take place during a war and in a country under German occupation. Both stories also speak of the cowardice of the local population and their disgusting behavior towards one innocent person belonging to their own community. This basic scheme is the same in both Guy De Maupassant's adaptations and this movie from Romania. This is an interesting character study but I guess far far below reality. This is an unavoidable film, which the main problem is that German characters don't like Germans at all, except the uniforms. Acting is also not that convincing and a bit too much talkative. Mostly saved by an unforgettable ending.

This is a great Romanian movie...i am very subjective because i am Romanian...but anyone,with proper subtitles can enjoy this little masterpiece.It is not like other Nicolaescu's movies,it's more deep,it has a certain touch, a vibrant image that goes beyond the screen.Well directed,well played,tremendous script...what can i say more about it?It has nice FX for that age.Needles to say it benefits by the great great Amza Pellea an actor capable of turning rubble into stardust.He is the main character(Ipu) and his performance is ...how should i say...Oscar!!!Anyway i love the movie because it's alive,it's human and leaves you with a bittersweet taste..

The world as construction of a child. A village. A war. A crime. And the best scapegoat. Some circles. like Visniec circles. And few walks in the search of essence of life. A movie who must be discover. Story about colors of ages, about a lost village and its leaders. The Nazi presence. And a boy with his fried, the fool of community. A film like a spring morning. Delicate and common. Sad and profound. Game of gestures and lace of words. After all, the death. As last sign of a long expectation. As key of soul's treasure. As definition of silence. A lesson for be yourself not a shadow of intentions. Old "El laberinto del fauno". Same taste. Different recipes.