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glen_esq · 08-03-2004, 11:29 PM

#320 The Round-Up (Jancso, 1965) ***
The title refers to the round up of Hungarian patriots by their Austrian overlords after a failed uprising in 1868. The movie's about the affect of a military/police state imposing its will on a conquered populace.

A primitive, high-walled prison in the middle of empty Hungarian plains is the oppressive setting for the movie. We see various forms of psycholgical and physical cruelty used by the Austrians over the inmates of the prison, as the authorities try to determine if partisan leaders are among the prisoners. The interrogation techniques are arbitrary and illogical at times, but always putting terrible pressure on the prisoners, many of whom snap under the strain.

I haven't read a critical review of the movie, but I think Jancso is certainly drawing parallels to the then Soviet occupation of Hungary, perhaps even to the aftermath of the 1956 failed uprising. Both damning and very, very bleak.

Some of the imagery in this film was damn creepy. Prisoners being degraded, paraded around with hoods over their heads was quite eerie to watch in a film from 1965, given what we've seen on TV these past few months.

Jancso seen/ranked:
1. The Red and the White ****
2. The Round-Up ***

08-03-2004, 11:29 PM	#2161 of 3711
glen_esq Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Local Time: 10:43 PM Local Date: 08-29-2008 Posts: 118	#320 The Round-Up (Jancso, 1965) * The title refers to the round up of Hungarian patriots by their Austrian overlords after a failed uprising in 1868. The movie's about the affect of a military/police state imposing its will on a conquered populace. A primitive, high-walled prison in the middle of empty Hungarian plains is the oppressive setting for the movie. We see various forms of psycholgical and physical cruelty used by the Austrians over the inmates of the prison, as the authorities try to determine if partisan leaders are among the prisoners. The interrogation techniques are arbitrary and illogical at times, but always putting terrible pressure on the prisoners, many of whom snap under the strain. I haven't read a critical review of the movie, but I think Jancso is certainly drawing parallels to the then Soviet occupation of Hungary, perhaps even to the aftermath of the 1956 failed uprising. Both damning and very, very bleak. Some of the imagery in this film was damn creepy. Prisoners being degraded, paraded around with hoods over their heads was quite eerie to watch in a film from 1965, given what we've seen on TV these past few months. Jancso seen/ranked: 1. The Red and the White 2. The Round-Up * S&S Film Club: 336 viewed; last watched -> Kaagaz ke phool (Gutt, 1959)