Synopsis
Alongside Mereanu, Jianu conspires to overthrow the Phanariot regime. Saved from the gallows by Tincuță, who mocks him, and forgiven, as custom demands of the land and the people, Iancu cannot readapt to the boyar world and joins Tudor’s band.
Directed by: Dinu Cocea
Script: Vasile Chirita, Dinu Cocea, Mihai Opriș
Cast: Adrian Pintea, Stela Furcovici, Mărioara Sterian, Mihai Mereuță, George Constantin, Radu Beligan, Ilarion Ciobanu, Emanoil Petruț, Dina Cocea, Geo Nune, Elena Sereda, Draga Olteanu Matei, Jean Constantin, Ștefan Guriță, Alexandru Frăsinel
Producers: Marin Theodorescu
Cinematography by: Aurel Kostrachievici
Edited by: Magda Chise
Sound: Constantin Ciucă
Muzică: Ștefan Zorzor
Year: 1982
Category: feature film
Genre: Historical
Duration: 94 minutes
129,507 – Cinepub viewers
PLOT SUMMARY
Iancu Jianu joins the outlaw Mereanu and begins the fight to overthrow the Phanariot regime. After escaping the gallows, thanks to Tincuța, who mocks him, and being forgiven according to the custom of the land, Iancu tries to return to the boyar world. However, since he can no longer bear this way of life, he joins Tudor Vladimirescu’s large band.
CRITICAL OPINIONS
“Iancu Jianu, our most legendary outlaw, was from a family of Oltenian boyars. Before becoming a leader of rebels, he had been a village chief and the future son-in-law of the local magistrate Calafeteanu. Since the main duty of these officials was the collection of taxes, and as taxes were often collected two or three times over, and since the peasants had no means to pay them — the most important task of the Phanariot officials was coercion, torture. Iancu Jianu, as a village chief, tried to “enforce the law” without abuse and violence. He will not succeed. Therefore, he switches sides of the barricade. But he does so only after the continuous failure of his efforts to enforce the law, to prevent injustices.” (D.I. Suchianu)
TRIVIA
- The outlaw Iancu Jianu and the village chief Iancu Jianu were portrayed by the same team and were released on the same day.
- The ballad about the brave deeds of Iancu is sung by Cornel Coman..
This premiere is part of a national archive project supported by the Romanian National Film Centre.
Special thanks goes to the Romanian Filmmakers Union and to the Romanian Film Archive.
