ajaszenovics

This is a very well directed historical fiction film made with the best of the Hungarian actors and director of the time. In almost half a century the film lost nothing of its original entertainment, educational and inspirational value. The story line follows the book it was based on: Egri Csillagok (Stars of Eger) by Géza Gárdonyi. The theme of the film was built around solid historical facts: a handful of heroically brave men and women held up the besieged fortress of Eger (Hungary) against the powerful army of the Turkish Emperor for more than a month in 1552. István Dobó and Gergely Bornemissza were real historical persons, just as Bálint Török and István Majláth were. The latter two spent the rest of their lives in the infamous Yedikule fortress (Istanbul) after the Turks kidnapped them under the pretense of "friendly invitation". Gergely Bornemissza was indeed a very skilled and inventive artillery commanding officer. Another sad fact was King Ferdinand's refusal to effectively help the Hungarians with material or manpower contribution in the dire situation. The love story of Gergely Bornemissza and Éva Cecey is fictitious. Her "engagement dance" with Adam Fürjes as well as the gypsy farewell ritual are not even based on Hungarian traditions, however, this 5-10 minutes manifestation of artistic freedom is acceptable. The failed rescue attempt form the Yedikule is fiction as well, but very realistic, "could have happened". The "Egri Csillagok" was the first Hungarian "superproduction" after WWII. The budget was nowhere near to that of a Hollywood production, and the Hungarian film crew was very creative in keeping costs low without letting quality suffer. I have seen the film in 68, then later when it came out on VHS, and just recently on DVD. I did not feel that it was old, obsolete, or it should have been done differently, it was thoroughly enjoyable after 48 years.