
THE MISCELLANEOUS BRIGADE STRIKES AGAIN (1970) – comedy film online
- October 9, 1970
Synopsis
A team from the communist militia solves various crimes.
Directed by: Mircea Drăgan
Cast: Toma Caragiu, Dem Rădulescu, Puiu Călinescu, Jean Constantin, Sebastian Papaiani, Ioana Drăgan, Dumitru Furdui, Iurie Darie, Cella Dima, Boris Ciornei, Constantin Rauțchi, George Mihăiță
Script: Mircea Drăgan, Nicolae Tic
Producers: Dumitru Solomon
Cinematography by: Nicolae Mărgineanu
Edited by: Dragoș Witkowski
Sound: Bogdan Cavadia
Muzică: Ion Cristinoiu
Year: 1970
Category: feature film
Genre: Comedy
Duration: 100 minutes
1,234,873 – Cinepub viewers
PLOT SUMMARY
Two cases of theft, seemingly trivial, lead Captain Panait (Toma Caragiu), Sergeant Căpșună (Sebastian Papaiani), Sergeant Major Cristoloveanu (Dumitru Furdui), and the dog Costel on the trail of a real gang network. The confrontation with the famous “trio” Gogu (Dem Rădulescu) – Trandafir (Puiu Călinescu) – Patraulea (Jean Constantin) gives rise to irresistible comic situations.
CRITICAL REVIEWS
“The recipe of this comedy series, which enhances its success over time, is – undoubtedly – the golden cast, offering great comedians roles that are full of vitality, along with conditions to enhance their humor through the witty use of irony.” – Irina Coroiu
“Hello reappearance of the genre in our cinematography. Oscillating between character comedy and police suspense, the film succeeds in entertaining packed theaters for an hour and a half, maintaining interest. With a large cast, dynamic rhythm, and bright imagery that accentuates the narrative’s authenticity, the film holds attention. I would be glad if in Mircea Drăgan we had a director dedicated to comedy—a genre relegated to the periphery of our cinematography like Cinderella. The film demonstrates that we have significant resources for this genre, latent forces that, combined with ingenuity and talent, can generate quality contemporary humor.” (Gheorghe Vitanidis, Cinema no. 12, December 1970)
In his work “The History of Romanian Cinema (1897-2000)” (2000), critic Călin Căliman considers that the B.D. series relied on the microperformances of versatile comedy actors such as Dem Rădulescu, Jean Constantin, Puiu Calinescu, Toma Caragiu, Sebastian Papaiani, George Mihăiță, or Vasilica Tastaman, presenting the adventures of three charming thugs. However, critical reactions were quite divided on a wide scale.
TRIVIA
- The Miscellaneous Brigade (B.D.) pilot film in the series.
- Song lyrics – Mihai Dumbravă, performed by Ștefan Bănică.
LINES
“What do we have here? What do we have here?”
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.