Michael the Brave (1971)
"Mihai Viteazul" (original title)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Sergiu Nicolaescu

Writer:

Titus Popovici

Stars:

Amza Pellea, Ion Besoiu, Olga Tudorache

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Amza Pellea	...	Mihai Viteazul
Ion Besoiu	...	Sigismund Báthory
Olga Tudorache	...	Mama lui Mihai Viteazul
Irina Gardescu	...	Contessina Rossana Viventini
György Kovács	...	Andrei Báthory
Sergiu Nicolaescu	...	Selim Pasa
Nicolae Secareanu	...	Sinan Pasa
Ilarion Ciobanu	...	Stroe Buzescu
Aurel Rogalschi	...	Rudolf II
Ioana Bulca	...	Doamna Stanca
Septimiu Sever	...	Radu Buzescu
Florin Piersic	...	Preda Buzescu
Klára Sebök	...	Maria Cristina de Graz (as Maria Clara Sebok)
Mircea Albulescu	...	Popa Stoica
Emmerich Schäffer	...	Generalul Basta

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

transylvania | battle | romania | beheading | gore | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | War

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Details

Country:

Romania France Italy

Language:

Romanian

Release Date:

1 February 1973 (France)

Also Known As:

Michael the Brave

Filming Locations:

2 Mai, Constanta, Romania

Company Credits

Production Co:

Romania Film, Studioul Cinematografic Bucuresti

Technical Specs

Runtime:

203 min 203 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

There's many anachronisms in scenes from Prague in 1600. Facade of St. Vitus Cathedral is from 19. century, statues on Charles Bridge are from 18. century, many buildings in Mala Strana and Prague Castle are baroque or even modern.

User Reviews

Wonderful battle scenes

Best battle scenes until Lords of the Rings (in '70 there were no computers to add special effects so the battles look even more natural than today movies. The story is close to what really happened (historians from Romanian Academy were consultants for this movie). Good to see if you know a little about European/Ottoman history or if you like huge war scenes. As I know for this movie Sergiu Nicolaescu (the director) - present in the movie also as Selim Pasa character - had the entire support of the Romanian army - provided by the former Romanian dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu. tens of thousands of people were used as utility actors and Nicolaescu also applied some new film directing techniques in this movie.