random_avenger Water polo in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics was more than just sports to Hungarians whose country was just going through an anti-Soviet uprising that was subsequently violently crushed by the Soviets when the Games were about to begin: in the pool, the small country was able to show to the world that they hadn't lost their national pride and power despite the oppression by their huge occupier. Written by Joe Eszterhas (of Basic Instinct fame) among others, Krisztina Goda's film is set shortly before the Olympics when the Hungarian water polo team is preparing for the tournament amidst political unrest in Budapest. The team's star player Karcsi Szabó (Iván Fenyö) is looking forward to his big chance to shine in the eyes of the world, but has to rethink his attitudes upon meeting a beautiful anti-Communist student activist Viki Falk (Kata Dobó). Being associated with her cause in public might cost him his position in the team, but he soon understands that closing his eyes from the country's problems is no longer an option.The style of the film is as Hollywoodesque as can be: the constantly playing music by Nick Glennie-Smith ranges from bombastic to sentimental, always carefully following the conventions of epic movie scores. The plot is also somewhat predictable and includes all the scenes one expects to find in a classical war cinema: tragic deaths, recklessly brave resistance battles against almost indestructible enemy tanks, a woman crying over a dead body on a street and an oh-so-romantic "artistic" sex scene between the lead couple whose fragile romance blossoms despite the turmoil everywhere. However, the big budget also shows in good ways; the sets, props and costumes look authentic and the explosion-heavy action scenes are well created and directed. I also liked the brownish and bluish tones of the cinematography and the visual style in general.Despite the athletic-sounding premise, the movie is not really a sports film as water polo is only played at the beginning and the end. The main purpose of the film has obviously been to commemorate the brave nation's patriotic efforts during the revolution and to remind audiences that war spectacles are not Hollywood's prerogative only. While the team's story is worth telling, I think the overall style is way too obvious in its emotional manipulation, and the general heavy-handedness hurts the film's chances to work as a truly affecting piece of cinema. On the surface it's an enjoyable war film though and can be enjoyed by fans of the genre.

jozsefbiro Well, this is the Hollywood style movie about the Hungarian '56 revolution. Correct story and correct acting, but nothing revolutionary ;-). Still, I would say we occasionally need such popular, spectacular but easy films about major events of our history. They touch the people' heart (especially the younger generations) and convey an important message about our history and our nation: namely that there are events in our history we should be proud of. This is especially important in a country where lot of the people are indifferent or even cynical about our national identity and heritage. (And to make things worse, lot of other people are overly proud of it, but that's another problem...)

mhettmann Unfortunately I can't see any unbiased reviews on the film as everyone making a comment has something to do with Hungary, and it's not different in my case either as I was brought up in Budapest, although a bit later, in the '90s.It is an interesting part of European history, and the film is doing a good job representing it. The story line, however, is very weak. It simply has too many elements trying too hard to make the film popular (sport references, romantic touch, etc). Basically, '56 did not happen in Hollywood. Acting is great, except the main female character played by Dobo. This might have been a bit too difficult task for her.I would probably not like this film at all if I had no connection with Hungary.

arato This was a very touching film, especially for such a man as me who was only 4 years old at the 1956 revolution against the communist dictatorship supported by the Soviets. After the conquest of this revolution with the help of Soviets a tragic new dictatorship fell over my fatherland for another 33 years which was full with lying and falsification of history. It was terrible to survive this period. Unfortunately the Western countries did not give any help to overcome the Soviet aggressors, although in their feeling they sympathized with our revolution. This film gives some kind of gratification for all of these sad decades. It clearly shows that the truth and the moral victory was on the side of Hungarian revolutionists. Maybe therefore our present post-communist government is not so pleased with this film because they feel that their predecessors played a very brutal role in our history.