Synopsis
At the end of the 16th century Wallachian ruler Prince Michael the Brave overcame the adversity of the Ottoman and Austrian Empires to unite Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania into one country.
Directed by: Sergiu Nicolaescu
Cast: Amza Pellea, Ion Besoiu, Olga Tudorache, Irina Gardescu, György Kovács, Sergiu Nicolaescu, Florin Piersic
Script: Titus Popovici
Producers: Gheorghe Pîrîu
Cinematography by: George Cornea
Edited by: Yolanda Mîntulescu
Sound: Anușavan Salamanian
Music: Tiberiu Olah
Year: 1971
Category: feature film
Genre: History Drama
Duration: 203 minutes
1,051,391 – Cinepub viewers
PLOT SUMMARY
An epic fresco depicting the reign (1593-1601) of Mihai Pätrascu (better known as “Mihai Viteazul” / “Michael the Brave”), the famous prince who united the three provinces: Transalpine Vallachia, Transylvania and Moldavia, into the country of Romania, at the end of the 16th century (1599-1601) against the opposition of the Ottoman and Austrian Empires, this movie features large scale battle scenes mixed with political intrigues, murderous treachery, and family drama
WHAT CRITICS SAY:
“Likely the most impressive historical production in Romanian cinema.” The film, made in 1970 under the directorial baton of Sergiu Nicolaescu, entered the international circuit three years later, leaving an impression on cinephiles from diverse cultures. “Mihai Viteazul” has it all – grand-scale battle scenes, political intrigues, cunning betrayals, family dramas, and, above all, the performance of one of Romania’s greatest actors of all time.
Amza Pellea is iconic in the role of the grand founder of the First Union in Romanian history. Endowed with a remarkable cinematic vocation, he is not merely an actor, but in this role, more so than any other, a character creator, infusing life, credibility, strength, and individuality into the exceptional hero who left a mark on the historical destiny of the country.
AWARDS
- Moscow International Film Festiva – Nomination
ARTICLES
- Cinemagia verdict: “Mihai Viteazul,” the best Romanian historical film. – Marian Țuțui – 2013 – cinemagia.ro
- Mihai Viteazul – Florian Potra – aarc.ro
- The Romanian Historical Film and Propaganda. The Case of “Mihai Viteazul”. – Ionuț Marcu – historia.ro
