THE LAST CRUSADE/ MIHAI VITAZUL

Romania, 1970, 107 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Sergiu Nicolaescu.

The Last Crusade is a spectacular film from Romania in the middle of the communist era. It is a large-scale spectacle (akin to the films of Sergei Bondarchuk from Russia during the 60s and 70s – especially War and Peace).

The film is the biography of the King Mihai Viteazul who united three provinces in the territory of Romania into the unified country – against the attacks both of the Ottoman Turks as well as of the Austro- Hungarian empire.

The film is particularly patriotic – and is quite interesting in its large-scale battle spectacle as well as the presentation of the intrigues in the courts.

The film was released in the west – and is an interesting example of eastern European film-making of its period.

1. How interesting a spectacle was this in itself? made by Romanians? As made by Communist socialists interpreting their history? How successful as a spectacular film? As propaganda interpretation?

2. What were your impressions of Romanian nationalism, in this film? What illustrated this best?

3. What were the developments in Romania’s relationship with Turkey in its historical situation? Turkey as a seeming symbol for modern Russia?

4. How brutal was the film? What impact did it make here? Too brutal? Or realistic?

5. The importance of the brothers and their relationship and Mikhail?

6. The importance and significance of the girl and her always being present?

7. The significance and implication of the betrayal of Turkey?

8. The significance of the national fights after Turkey had made him king?

9. What was bellind the presentation of religion, the Vatican and its diplomacy, the cardinal and his double-dealings? The importance?

10. The comment on the cardinal fighting and his inevitable defeat and death?

11. The importance in the film of the unification of Romania?

12. How good a film was this on the level of spectacle and acting? Amateur or accomplished? Why?