Indul a bakterház

I really rate Kontroll, and liked Szomorú Vasárnap too, so was looking forward to another Hungarian picture, but there was no way that those two films would prepare me for the raw slapstick of Indul a Bakterház! I must admit to being caught offguard: the first half-hour I had no clue what I was watching, the poor audio re-dubbing of the original language didn't help. Eventually I got bedded in and ended up enjoying the unfolding chaos, with its memorably-bonkers characters - who are apparently not as exaggerated as one might think! - and well-played main role from the übercheeky young lad.

6/10 is the minimum rating I give for films I would consider worth watching: there might not have been much else to Indul a Bakterház, but it's worth enough for most of you to have a go.

So recommended if you're interested in foreign films which show you hidden elements of their culture using daft comedy (in this case eccentric village farm hands from bygone days), without any concession to outsiders. Imagine showing Benny Hill & League of Gentlemen to a native Hungarian...you get the idea.

Not particularly recommended if you're looking for more universally-appreciable examples of Hungarian cinema.

I read the book and saw the movie many times. It's just hilarious. We can all relate to the cute little kid, Bendeguz, who sees people's shortcomings so accurately and shares them with us in such a genuinely sweet and funny way. The dialogs capture a child's sense of humor and reminds us what it is like to be a kid living in the grown-up's world. You also see rural life during the early 20th century Hungary, which was simplistic but eventful. Bendeguz's mischiefs are so funny, they make any viewer laugh regardless of his or her nationality. This movie will touch you, make you laugh and you'll definitely want your kids to see it. Watch this movie anytime, especially when you feel sad and it will cheer you up and remind you of the preciousness of life.

This television version of Sándor Rideg's nationwide bestseller `Indul a bakterház' seems to be made exclusively for people who have read the book. I did so, but I still found the TV-movie rather poor. It features only those elements of the book that contribute to the storyline but the storyline is the least important quality of Rideg's book. Everything that could be funny (and that's what `Indul a bakterház' is supposed to be in the first place) is left out or reduced, so only those can laugh who have read the book and are, by the film scenes, reminded of it. I don't know whether this is the sense of a film, and, as I had read the book quite some months before, it didn't work with me either.

My criticism refers to the producers, the director and the bad sound quality (it really disturbs one if the synchronization isn't professionally done), but it doesn't concern the actors. Their performances are immaculate without exception, and they do really good jobs in portraying Rideg's characters, although had created them all rather excessive and stylized. Just as many other films based on bestsellers this one wastes many stars, many good comedians, especially Róbert Koltai, to raise expectations which are then disappointed. They didn't take much trouble to make this.

The movie is somehow still entertaining still these days. I remember when I saw this firstly on my tiny portable CD player when I was 6 years old, and how hilarious was it watching with my parents. It perfectly represents our expectations about the Hungarian peasants and their everyday life. The main character is very well played by Imre Olvasztó as well as the others. My favourite part is when the boy meet the crone or the "banya" several times and their behaviour with each other is always killing me always. Despite some good old wine drinking and some drunk scenes, the movie is rated between family friendly for teens - like I referenced earlier, I can recommend for everyone who wants to laugh a lot.

I'm not sure if being Hungarian is the key to enjoy this film. It certainly has a milieu very peculiar to this part of the world (yes, I'm Hungarian too). But that may also appeal to viewers from other countries in the same region. The language, the events and the characters are a classic portrayal of rural life but one that belongs in a long lost era. Thus, it is even alien to most Hungarian people. However, most people, even though born long after the time the film is set, like myself, enjoy the film to this day. So I suppose a familiarity with the conditions and history of Hungary between the two World Wars may come in handy, I still feel the film, when dubbed, could be enjoyed by a wider audience. I accept of course that it will have completely different meaning than what it means to the Hungarian.