King of the Gypsies
by Frank Pierson
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Category: VHS Video
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Product details
Actor: Annette O'Toole, Brooke Shields, Shelley Winters, Sterling Hayden, Susan SarandonDirector: Frank Pierson
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC, Original recording remastered
Running Time: 112 minutes
Release Date: 1998-01-01
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Publisher: Paramount
Studio: Paramount
VHS Movie Reviews of King of the Gypsies
Movie Review: Great Film Making!
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie was just outstanding and an overlooked and forgotten classic. The movie was just a fascinating look at the world of the Gypsies in America. A very young Eric Roberts shines as the grandson of the King of the Gypsies brilliantly played by the legendary Sterling Hayden. Judd Hirsh of Taxi fame is great as Roberts buffoon of a father who's jealous and brutish ways tear his family apart. You will also see Susan Sarandon and a very young Brooke Shields.
This movie ranks right up there with the best of the best in my opinion. The costumes, the cinematography and the casting was tops. Combine all that with an interesting and compelling story and you have a classic film.
Movie Review: Eric the Beautiful
Summary: 5 Stars
Although I seriously question the cast selection (none are gypsy-like or even close! Sterling Haydon or Susan Sarandon -- a gypsy -- GIVE ME A BREAK!) I must say this is one fabulous movie about the gritty, edgy life of the gypsies (I have known a few). Eric Roberts is fine - even superb- in his role and this movie is thoroughly enjoyable for simply mindless enterainment or for the serious connoisseur with "Right On" performances from everyone in spite of miscasting. This movie is a must for any serious movie buff!Movie Review: King of the Gypsies
Summary: 5 Stars
All the other reviews here talk about the story of the film. I enjoy that as well, but what they miss is the music. Hidden in this film treasure is a sound track scored by Mandolinist David Grisman. In the movie he performs with several members of his quintet/quartet. More importantly, he imported the great Gypsy Violinist - Stephane Grappelli. Grappelli is the noted violinst who performed in the 1930s and perhaps into the 40s with the legendary Jazz guitarist - Django Reinhardt. Grappelli's performance is awesome. Want a real taste of Real Gypsy violin playing??? SEE THIS MOVIE!!! It should not be missed!!!
Also note that shortly after the film Grappelli & Grisman teamed up for a live album on Warner Brothers. It may be out of print now. It also features musical greats Mike Marshall and Mark O'Connor. Grappelli and O'Connor play twin fiddles on Tiger Rag. Ahh... Music at it's best!!! ;-)
Movie Review: Violence, tension and love in a U.S. Gypsy family
Summary: 5 Stars
This 1978 film is based on a non-fiction book about gypsy life here in the U.S. The cast is great. Sterling Hayden plays the aging Gypsy King and Shelly Winters plays his wife. The king wants to leave the leadership of the clan to his grandson, Dave, played by Eric Roberts. Dave's abusive father, however, played by Judd Hirsh tries to stand in his way. His mother, Susan Sarandon, gives an excellent performance as Rose. She's both the streetwise gypsy fortune teller and the loving mother who was herself kidnapped as a young girl to be a bride.Some of the most interesting scenes in the film are during Dave's childhood, when he helps his mother steal diamonds from an upscale jewelry store. Throughout, he is a reluctant gypsy. He and his sister, played by a young Brook Shields, are never sent to school, never learn to read and write. As he matures, he has some important choices to make. The film moves swiftly, from beginning to end. There was action, violence, and a sense of the special kind of families that gypsies have. They live outside of the mainstream of society and have their own special rituals and rules. It was an education for me. Here there is music, dancing, partying. Here there are customs that are in direct opposition to the law. There is comedy, conflict, and tension throughout. But yet the family ties and love shine through.
Fine acting. Fine writing. Fine story. Recommended.
Movie Review: Pretty Much Agree with the Other Reviews, Except...
Summary: 4 Stars
One of the other reviewers is mistaken when they say that the movie was based on a novel. It is actually based on a NON-fiction book by Peter Maas, who also wrote Serpico and The Valachi Papers (and who also just died yesterday, Aug. 23, 2001). Unfortunately it is out of print. Some similarly excellent reportage on the subject of gypsy culture (from the 30's-40's) can be found in Up In The Old Hotel or McSorley's Wonderful Saloon, both by Joseph Mitchell.
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