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Szabadság, szerelem

  • 2006
  • 2h 3m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
4.7K
YOUR RATING
Szabadság, szerelem (2006)
Water SportDramaHistoryRomanceSportWar

At the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, the Hungarian water polo team faces off against the Russians in what will become known as one of the bloodiest matches in the sport's history.At the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, the Hungarian water polo team faces off against the Russians in what will become known as one of the bloodiest matches in the sport's history.At the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, the Hungarian water polo team faces off against the Russians in what will become known as one of the bloodiest matches in the sport's history.

  • Director
    • Krisztina Goda
  • Writers
    • Joe Eszterhas
    • Éva Gárdos
    • Géza Bereményi
  • Stars
    • Kata Dobó
    • Iván Fenyö
    • Sándor Csányi
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    4.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Krisztina Goda
    • Writers
      • Joe Eszterhas
      • Éva Gárdos
      • Géza Bereményi
    • Stars
      • Kata Dobó
      • Iván Fenyö
      • Sándor Csányi
    • 29User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins total

    Photos57

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Kata Dobó
    Kata Dobó
    • Falk Viki
    Iván Fenyö
    Iván Fenyö
    • Szabó Karcsi
    Sándor Csányi
    • Vámos Tibi
    Károly Gesztesi
    • Telki edzõ
    Ildikó Bánsági
    Ildikó Bánsági
    • Karcsi anyja
    Tamás Jordán
    Tamás Jordán
    • Karcsi nagyapja
    Viktória Szávai
    • Hanák Eszter
    Zsolt Huszár
    • Gál Jancsi
    Tamás Keresztes
    • Ács Imi
    Péter Haumann
    • Feri bácsi
    Daniel Gabori
    • Józsika
    • (as Gábori Dániel)
    Róbert Marton
    • Kardos Márton (Compó)
    Kornél Simon
    • Abonyi Gyula (Báró)
    Krisztián Kolovratnik
    • Fazekas Sándor (Frank)
    Antal Czapkó
    • Prokop
    Gábor Albert
    • Rádió bemondó
    Phaedra Almosd
    • Himnuszt éneklõ lány
    Imre Baksa
    • Egyetemista
    • Director
      • Krisztina Goda
    • Writers
      • Joe Eszterhas
      • Éva Gárdos
      • Géza Bereményi
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews29

    6.94.6K
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    Featured reviews

    6Pookyiscute

    An unhappy ending...

    To those who are familiar with the end result of this true story, it is certainly not a happy ending. In 1956, Hungary was ruled by communism. Russian communism to be exact, and it was a few brave souls out of thousands, that gave up their lives for a dream - of freedom.

    I am an American currently living in Hungary, and I felt very privelged last night, being able to see this film. There I sat in an auditorium, with a theater screen set up, and a projector as well; watching this film in a city of only 13,000, approximately one third of which sat all around me. I felt honored, and very happy to know that I was in this country, watching this film, amongst so many people who were celebrating an event that took place fifty years ago, here in this very country.

    The film centers around a water polo team in the year 1956. It was in this year that people began to take up arms. They decided enough was enough. Communism had ruled for far too long by this point - but the tragedy was that it was to remain that way for a much, much longer time. At the end of the second world war, the Russians decided it was their turn to rule Hungary. They took it off the shoulders of the Germans, who had now lost, and Russia was the new Hitler. The star of the film is member of the Hungarian water polo team, and they become finalists in the Olympics that year. From the beginning of the film, until the end - we see the Revolution through the eyes of this young man. How he falls in love with a women, who is one of the leaders of the revolt, and finds himself fighting for his country alongside her.

    Though it was a bit slow at times, and it was in Hungarian - it's a film, that in some ways you don't even really need to speak the language to understand. Although I'm semi-fluent in Hungarian, it was still very difficult for me to follow the dialogue. However, you can understand what's happening in the film, without a knowledge of what they're saying. A lot of explosions; fighting; guns; love scenes; and arguments - it's quite apparent most of the time what's going on.

    I would say that acting wise -it's a Hungarian made movie. The actors are not the creme of the crop - but certainly better than your average Joe. The direction was brilliant, however. And I was quite amazed by the camera-work - and stage direction. Filmed on location in Budapest (and it's quite obvious), it gives those who have walked down some of the famous streets, and squares, chills down their backs, with the knowledge, that there were protesters and gun play in those places, all those years ago. Now, these streets and squares are famous tourist attractions.

    Although I hate to give in to the self-pity most Hungarians carry around with them, I have to admit that the film does make you feel sorry for them as a people. First world war two, and then this. It was as though they were to never catch a break. Which might account for some of their cultural behaviors, even today. The communist mentality still seeping through. It is all apparent in the film, why they go about their ways, the way they do.

    It is an interesting film, and a good historical reference. If anyone can find this with English subtitles (or subtitles for whatever language you speak), it might be good to see it, just so you know what actually happened in 1956, and how as much as the Hungarians fought for their freedom, life is not a movie- and the outcome was very realistic. They lost.

    A final note. After the film, a lady who was in the car with me on my home, said something that I'll never forget. I mentioned that in the movie, I thought it was funny how someone got so excited, because they'd heard on the radio that the Americans were coming to save them. And, I said...I didn't think that was true, since I don't ever recall the Americans coming to the Hungarians aid. She said softly, and sadly, as though it were my fault, "No. You didn't come. You didn't come." A sad, yet memorable, historical and noteworthy event in world history. And, of course, in Hungarian history.
    7machineus

    1956 revolution is not a movie

    First of all as a Hungarian patriot, I honor the makers of this movie (for honoring this event with a movie), and I recommend to see this for all of those, who would like to know a little more of how we suffered during the Soviet regime, but how we took up arms for our freedom, and showed the world that communism is not a historical alternative, rather than a bloody tyranny based upon a thousands of lies. This was truly a great moment of the 20th century worldwide history, and maybe the greatest moment in the whole history of our nation. But remember, the revolution of 1956 is not a movie. This movie intends to display this glorious event fit to Hollywood images, but trust me, it deserves more than that. Maybe you catch this movie than next week you forget it. But we don't and cannot forget, as we thank our whole life and freedom to these Hungarian heroes of 1956. May long live the memory of this revolution and show light to all those who suffer under same conditions!
    Gordon-11

    Magnificent

    This film is about the uprising of the citizens in Budapest against the Russians in 1956, and the subsequent symbolic water polo match in the 1956 Olympics.

    This movie is powerful and words can hardly describe it. From the beginning, the tension between Hungary and USSR is already very visible in the film. Patriotism build up quickly, leading to the uprising of the Hungarians. The initial optimism is portrayed in an effective manner, and the viewers certainly connect wit the characters with their sense of pride and achievement. Though the romance between the leading characters seem to have a weak foundation, the subsequent portrayal is strong. They are willing to risk their own life to protect another.

    The plot is told in a precise and direct manner. The shooting scenes are highly graphic, possibly to remind the world what terror they have gone through. The persistence of Viki is remarkable. Her efforts in resisting the Russians is brilliantly portrayed, and viewers get to connect with the uprising through her. On one hand, the promise of a free Hungary drives them forward; but on the other hand, the well equipped USSR army showers them with bullets and grenades that obliterates all hope for a brighter future.

    The final water polo match has such a symbolic meaning. Even though the Hungarians are losing the war, they can beat the enemy in other ways. Hope and glory are invested in the water polo team. Through tight editing, the match is so powerful and breathtaking that my heart pumped with every one of their moves.

    I particularly find the ending very well done. With the same national anthem, we see the transition from despair in prison to glory in the sports hall. It is such an emotional scene, so intense and so moving.

    I completely lost count on how many explosions this film has. In fact I think it must be the film with the most explosion scenes I have ever seen. The budget for this film must have been astronomical.

    From my Hungarian friend, the movie is historically accurate. Is it right to die for a glorious cause? As this film points out at one juncture, "He didn't die for the country. He died because he was killed by a machine gun". This film is thought provoking. Are freedom fighters pursuing an impossible dream? Have they given up their lives for nothing? This is an exceptionally powerful film. It is compelling, touching and the most importantly, crystallises the spirit of the humankind's desire for freedom. It easily becomes one of my favourite films in recent years.
    9lizlowden

    Szabadsag Szerelem

    I attended the screening for this movie at the Mann Bruin in Westwood. At the end of the movie I did not want to leave my seat. I wanted more. I am not quite sure what I wanted to see? Perhaps a commentary on the lives of the Water Polo Players? I wanted to know what they did after the game? I wanted to know how their lives turned out? I didn't want the movie to end.

    The scenes about the AVO brought back sad memories. It was a brutal organization. My family had first hand experience with them. The movie is a "must see" for anyone, not only Hungarians. The sub-titles were easy to follow for anyone who does not speak the language.

    The movie was emotional and especially meaningful to me. I left Hungary in 1956.

    October 22, 2007. Does anyone have any idea why this movie is not available anywhere here in the USA? I have purchased 4 DVDs for my family on our recent trip to Hungary, only to find out that we cannot play them on our DVD players (Region 1) It is very disappointing.
    10cscseli

    Best movie ever in Hungarian historical topic

    Hungarians are people of wars of independence. They can't stand oppression for a long time. They had wars of independence against Ottomans, Habsburgs and in 1956 against the Soviets. However there are very many exciting stories of the Hungarian history, unfortunately there are very few movies about them. This one commemorates the heroic freedom fighters of Budapest. The Hungarian title "Szabadság szerelem" (in English: Freedom and love) is a historical reference to a poem of Petöfi Sándor, the famous poet and revolutionist of the Hungarian revolution and war of independence of 1848.

    You must see this movie to understand peoples of Central and Eastern-Europe and their history. They are all victims of the worst and perhaps the cruelest dictatorship ever in the world. I love this movie. And after that I must say: I'm proud to be a Hungarian.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Several members of the real 2000/2004/2008 Olympic champion Hungarian Waterpolo team portray Hungarian and Soviet players in the movie: Bulcsú Székely, Péter Biros, Zoltán Szécsi, Gergely Kiss, István Gergely, Attila Vári.
    • Goofs
      The movie depicts the massacre of 25 October 1956 on Kossuth Square very naturally, yet incorrectly. It's true that there were Soviet tanks on the square, and the Russian soldiers were friendly towards the demonstrators before the shooting began. But they never shot at the people. They realized that they are under fire from the rooftops and fired back. If you know where to look, you can still the spot where a tank shell has hit the top floor of a building in 1956.
    • Quotes

      Falk Viki: What are you doing here?

      Szabó Karcsi: Looking for you.

      Falk Viki: I'm not here for you.

      Szabó Karcsi: Why not? You don't know what I'm like.

      Falk Viki: Here. Carry it.

      [offers him the flag but he doesn't take it]

      Falk Viki: See? That's what you're like.

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 6, 2006 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Hungary
    • Official sites
      • MySpace page
      • Official site (Hungary)
    • Languages
      • Hungarian
      • Russian
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Untitled Joe Eszterhas Project
    • Filming locations
      • Budapest, Hungary
    • Production companies
      • C2
      • Cinergi
      • Flashback Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $71,446
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 3 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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