"Otpisani" (1974) TV series

Seasons:

1

Genre:

Action | Drama | War

Plot:

Prle, Tihi and other youths from resistance movement in Nazi-occupied Belgrade are high on the Gestapo termination list...

Plot Keywords:

Partisan

Cast

Dragan Nikolic	...	Prle (13 episodes, 1974-1975)
Vojislav Brajovic	...	Tihi (13 episodes, 1974-1975)
Stevo Zigon	...	Kriger (12 episodes, 1974-1975)
Bozidar Pavicevic-Longa	...	Dinst (10 episodes, 1974-1975)
Miki Manojlovic	...	Paja (9 episodes, 1974-1975)
Rudolf Ulrich	...	Miler (9 episodes, 1974-1975)
Vasa Pantelic	...	Krsta Misic (9 episodes, 1974-1975)
Cane Firaunovic	...	Kenig (9 episodes, 1974-1975)
Aleksandar Bercek	...	Cibi (8 episodes, 1974-1975)
Dusan Vujnovic	...	Limar (7 episodes, 1974-1975)
Predrag Milinkovic	...	Gojko (7 episodes, 1974-1975)
Miroslav Bijelic	...	Bauer (6 episodes, 1974-1975)
Zorica Mirkovic	...	Milica (6 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Directed by
Aleksandar Djordjevic		(13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Writing credits
Dragan Markovic		(13 episodes, 1974-1975)
Sinisa Pavic		(13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Original Music by
Milivoje Markovic		(13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Cinematography by
Milorad Markovic		(13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Film Editing by
Olga Skrigin		(13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Production Design by
Veljko Despotovic		(13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Art Direction by
Milovan Radovanovic		(unknown episodes)

Series Costume Design by
Svetlana Miskovic		(13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Makeup Department
Leposava Prvanovic	....	makeup artist (13 episodes, 1974-1975)
Radmila Todorovic	....	makeup artist (13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Production Management
Dragoslav Radoicic-Beli	....	unit manager (13 episodes, 1974-1975)
Djordje Dimitrijevic	....	assistant unit manager (11 episodes, 1974-1975)
Djordje Dimitrijevic	....	assistant unit manager (2 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Petar Cvejic	....	assistant director (13 episodes, 1974-1975)
Milan Lugomirski	....	assistant director (13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Art Department
Dragisa Maricic	....	property master (13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Sound Department
Sinisa Jovanovic	....	sound recordist (13 episodes, 1974-1975)
Miodrag Petrovic-Sarlo	....	sound editor (13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Special Effects by
Zoran Djordjevic	....	special effects (13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Stunts
Dragomir Stanojevic-Bata Kameni	....	stunts (13 episodes, 1974-1975)
Slavoljub Plavsic-Zvonce	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Josip Kerekes	....	gaffer (13 episodes, 1974-1975)
Radovan Klimecki	....	assistant camera (13 episodes, 1974-1975)
Slavoljub Veljic	....	assistant camera (13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Rodoljub Spasic	....	wardrobe (1 episode, 1974)

Series Editorial Department
Leposava Aleksic	....	assistant editor (13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Other crew
Milana Stojanovic	....	script supervisor (13 episodes, 1974-1975)

Production Companies

• Radiotelevizija Beograd

Runtime:

55 min (13 episodes)

Country:

Yugoslavia

Language:

Serbian

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Belgrade, Serbia

Company:

Radiotelevizija Beograd

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Robna kuca: Otpisani (#1.6)" (2009)

"I don't want their names written down - I want them written off!!"

Nowadays, over thirty years since "Otpisani" (aka "The Written-Off", a Serbian TV production, 1974) hit the Yugoslav screens, it is difficult to grasp the magnitude and the impact the series had on generations of Yugoslav viewing public. It went on to become a smash hit at the time, spawning a full length feature film (basically a re-edit of the material filmed for the TV series) and a sequel, "Povratak otpisanih" (The Return Of The Written-Off), two years later - the whole package achieving genuine cult status. The reasons for such a comprehensive success were numerous - it was chronologically the first attempt to present a then-favourite Yugoslav film subject - World War II and the antifascist struggle across the country, in those days still reverently depicted with pathos and due "grandeur" - in a new, much more youthful, accessible and hipper style than was ordinarily the case. Moreover, it told a story of urban anti-German resistance in occupied Belgrade of the early forties, as opposed to bulky, dated and myth-ridden film productions about Tito's partisan movement which domineered the Yugoslav cinema in the decades following the war. Most importantly, "Otpisani" rounded up a young, urban, good looking and charismatic cast which were able to convincingly carry off this new approach (most of the leading actors involved since achieved long running and successful careers in film, theatre and TV, some of them - most notably Miki Manojlovic - acquiring international recognition). Incidentally, four of the main leads (Manojlovic, Dragan Nikolic, Voja Brajovic and Aleksandar Bercek) can be seen together in Goran Paskaljevic's award winning and Altmanesque "Bure baruta" (aka "The Powder Keg", also known as "Cabaret Balkan", 1998), each one of them asserting the longevity and endurance of their respective acting careers.

Viewed today, some aspects of the production on "Otpisani" reveal themselves in their weakness. In particular, the writing remains problematic, despite the dialogue being given a more-realistic-than-usual sheen. The characterisation is mostly rigidly monochrome, strictly goodies vs baddies (some would say very cowboys'n' indians alike, an obvious American film influence), and most of the thirteen filmed episodes tend to sleepwalk through their individual plots before resolving themselves in spectacular, pyrotechnic-galore, sometimes tragic finales. However, the series makes great use of authentic Belgrade locations, both its numerous posh districts and grand interiors as well as seventies' demolition sites serving as perfect film sets for the lovingly built city which was mercilessly pounced upon during WWII. The grainy black & white photography contributes to achieving the look and the feel of the times, helped greatly by Milivoj Markovic's energetic and memorable music score (itself heavily influenced by Isaac Hayes' "Shaft" soundtrack as well as Lalo Schiffrin's tense atmospherics - another novelty in Yugoslav film and telly). In short, "Otpisani" was a breakthrough TV production which introduced many young acting talents and spoke in a visual language which resonated far better with the changing demands of the viewing public, younger generations in particular. Fun viewing, even today.