Valurile Dunarii

With a little bit of more action and the natural (for 1959) propaganda message, Valurile Dunarii is one of the first masterpieces of Liviu Ciulei. If you ignore the propaganda part - the fearful soldiers who jump over the lines into the machine guns and the final scene demonstration, this film is only a love story in times of war. This goes a little between 'Salaire de la peur' with Yves Montand and 'Casablanca' as they go with a barge of ammunition on a mined Danube.

The same black atmosphere as in "Padurea spînzuratilor". It was the acting debut for Irina Petrescu (very nice :) ). I saw this film tonight on TV and it has some problems with the sound. Good and solid acting by Liviu Ciulei itself - a complex character who loves in times of war, a rough person but also a survivor.

======= Spoilers ====== A very powerful scene is when Toma dives to push the mine - gets me thrills when I think about it.

a propaganda film. like many others from the same period. the genius of Liviu Ciulei remains to give to it this structure who propose more a beautiful love story in difficult times, dramatic context than a tool of regime. the admirable presence of Irina Petrescu, Lazăr Vrabie in the role of comrade with precise mission, the danger as large circle, the life on the barge. the war and the tension , memorable scene. and the Danube. short, one of the most impressive films of Romanian cinema. and this is the basic motif to see it.