Synopsis
The story of a betrayed friendship, of a love that tragically ends, against the backdrop of the haiducs’ struggle against the Phanariot lordship towards the end of the 18th century.
Directed by: Dinu Cocea
Script: Eugen Barbu, Nicolae Mihail, Mihai Opriș
Cast: Ion Besoiu, Marga Barbu, Amza Pellea, Elisabeta Jar, Ion Finteșteanu, Alexandru Giugaru, Fory Etterle, Toma Caragiu, Florin Scărlătescu, Marin Moraru, Mircea Sîntimbreanu, Constantin Guriță, Ileana Buhaci-Gurgulescu, Jean Constantin
Producers: Mihai Năstase
Cinematography by: George Voicu
Edited by: Adina Codrescu
Sound: Silviu Camil
Muzică: Mircea Istrate
Year: 1966
Category: feature film
Genre: Historical
Duration: 90 minutes
132,358 – Cinepub viewers
PLOT SUMMARY
In 18th-century Muntenia, amidst the Phanariot era, Amza, the captain of a band of haiducs, is betrayed by his sworn brother, Sârbu, and ends up in the dungeon. Driven by ambition and thirst for wealth, Sârbu enters into the service of the Phanariot ruler and becomes a captain of arnauts. He marries the daughter of the high treasurer Dudescu, whom he later accuses of treason in order to seize his wealth. However, Amza, having escaped from the dungeon, swears to exact revenge on the one who betrayed him.
AWARDS
- 1966 – Mamaia – “Opera Prima” Award and Awards for music and scenography
MAGDA BARBU ABOUT THE ROLE
“I was in the cellars of the museum in Goleşti, portraying Aniţa. It was a ‘strong’ scene, Aniţa was being tortured by Sârbu. Everything was going well until my wig caught fire from the torch with which I was being tortured. I screamed in distress, not knowing what to do. I had forgotten about Aniţa and wanted to rip the wig off my head. Sârbu (played by Amza Pellea) transformed from executioner to volunteer firefighter. He threw himself at me and with a hefty blow, extinguished the flames on my headgear. Feeling sad that the shot had been ruined, I looked at the director, but Dinu Cocea was delighted.
‘The scream of horror was very good,’ he declared. ‘It will probably make it into the film.'” (Cinema no. 12, December 1965)
LINES
Amza: “The outlaw is not a friend of the daylight.”
Amza: “The outlaw doesn’t kill for money.”
Ruler: “This land has many springs. Dry up one, and ten will gush forth. After three years of rule, I know where to dig.”
Maria: “Greed has never brought a happy home.”
Sârbu: “Luck doesn’t only lay eggs in one nest.”
“When you find yourself playing with the wedding ring, the devil has taken hold of your soul.”
Aniţa: “The fox doesn’t carry its prey on the wolf’s path.”
TRIVIA
- On the credits, Adina Georgescu is listed as Adina Codrescu.
- The filming took place between July 1st and October 31st, 1965 – outdoor scenes in Slănic Prahova and Sinaia; indoor scenes in Mogoșoaia, Golești, and Buftea.
- The Cinematography Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Popescu.
ARTICLES
- The director of “The Outlaws”, Dinu Cocea, passed away – Cristina Grigore – 2013 – cinemagia.ro
- “The Outlaws” – Rodica Pop-Vulcănescu – aarc.ro
- „The Outlaws” – film chronicle – Gelu Ionescu – 1966 – aarc.ro
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.
