Kesanli Ali Destani (the Legend of Ali of Kesan) is one of the best-known musical plays of Turkish theatre. This is the televized version of the play, produced by TRT, Turkish public television.
Kesanli Ali returns home in an Istanbul slum, after a long prison sentence. There he is received as a hero since what put him in the pen was killing a bully terrorizing the neighborhood for so long. Turns out his legend is actually, 'just a legend', the real story being far from heroic. His reputation as a neighborhood hero and his rekindling old love with Zilha was put in jeopardy as he struggles between keeping appearances and honesty.
One of the biggest productions at the time, the play gathers a wonderful selection of actors. This is without doubt a shining example of Turkish musical theatre caught on tape.
