Il re degli zingari

I first saw this film at a theatre in 1978 and have only seen it on television once. I can't remember what attracted me to seeing it, but it was a surprisingly good movie. Eric Roberts showed the industry that he can act and be very convincing. The central actors must have studied gypsy life because they pulled it off very well. The film is mostly about the tension of the next successor to the throne (Judd Hirsch) and his son (Eric Roberts) whom the present King (Sterling Hayden) favors as his actual successor. Hirsch plays a cold, scheming character who finally does one of the most despicable acts a person can do, and shows no remorse for it. This, in turn, sparks retaliation from his son. If I ever find it on DVD, it will become part of my collection. I give this film an 8 out of 10.

Released in 1978, "King of the Gypsies" chronicles the life of an American gypsy (Eric Roberts in his debut) who resists being made the king of his clan by his grandfather (Sterling Hayden). Meanwhile his villainous father (Judd Hirsch) resents that he was passed up and hostilities mount. Susan Sarandon plays the mother, Shelley Winters the grandmother, Brooke Shields the young sister and Annette O'Toole & Annie Potts the potential girlfriends.

The movie plays like a less-epic and lower-budgeted version of 1972's "The Godfather," albeit about Gypsies rather than a Mafia family. The cast and acting are superlative and the tone is gritty realistic. The screenplay was based on Peter Maas' true-life book. The story covers three generations of a Gypsy family from the 40s into the 70s and is narrated by Robert's character, which provides an interesting continuity. It's not great, but it's good enough and provides a window into this unconventional culture, their traveling lifestyle, interactions, work (including "fortune telling"), schemes, music, dancing and misadventures.

The film runs 112 minutes and was shot in New York/New Jersey area.

GRADE: B

...not as good as "Time of the Gypsies" (1988) Dom za vesanje (original title) or "Black Cat, White Cat"(1998) Crna Macka, Beli Macor (original title), both directed by Emir Kusturica or "I Even Met Happy Gypsies" (1967) Skupljaci Perja (original title) of Aleksandar Petrovic. Despite the fact that we have an entire orchestra of good and very good actors, such as Sterling Hayden, Shelley Winters, Susan Sarandon, Judd Hirsch, Eric Roberts, Brooke Shields, Annette O'Toole, Annie Potts, the film does not have consistency, it's only a mediocre attempt to show how gypsies really are. Eric Roberts is honest in his role debut. Susan Sarandon is more beautiful than ever and very talented as always. Best of all is Judd Hirsch he's the most natural and believable gypsy. Beautiful music with Stéphane Grappelli, accompanied by other talented musicians.

I remember seeing "real" gypsies as a child!They used to camp at different places at the Jersey shore!They had trailors,tents,cadillacs and all lived and traveled together in big families!They seemed so loud and happy!But where have all our Gypsies gone?You can hardly even see a genuine gypsy fortune-teller anymore!Perhaps this is because of the lure of American life!With welfare,WIC,medicare,section-8 housing,disability and eldercare who really wants to live a nomadic life?Let alone be an "outlaw" Gypsy and make a squalid living stealing and telling fortunes? "King of the Gypsies" answers a lot of these questions without really saying so! We view many of the so-called traditions of American gypsies and witness their members decline into poverty and organized crime.The movie isn't completely true to the book.But by the movie's end we realize that the wild and colorful gypsy world is passing away.To be replaced by the hustle-n-bustle of American middle class life!

Strong performances by a stellar cast highlight this unforgettable film about a largely misunderstood population known as the Gypsies. They sing, dance, wear jewelry, and party together. On the other hand, they steal, deceive and con non-Gypsies out of their money with fortune telling. For most viewers, this film shows complex depiction of them. Eric Roberts give a top notch first rate powerful performance as the Gypsy son who sees the error of his people's ways like no schooling. The other cast members are legendary such as a young Brooke Shields playing his baby sister. Susan Sarandon and Judd Hirsch as his parents. Shelley Winters is great as Queen Rachel and Sterling Hayden as the King. This film is a must see.