• Movie Type: Biography
• Director: Gábor Koltay
• Main Cast: Kati Berek, Victor Mate
• Release Year: 1984
• Country: HU
• Run Time: 95 minutes

Plot

This musical is actually a filmed live performance of the story of King Stephan I of Hungary (ca. 977-1038) who brought Roman Catholicism into the country, united previously separate Magyar states, suppressed pagan beliefs by force, reformed the Church, and supported monasteries and abbeys. He was canonized in 1083 and is the patron saint of Hungary. "Istvan, A Kiraly" was an already popular rock opera and its albums selling well when director Gabor Koltay decided to film a full performance in 1984. Cinematic techniques such as slow motion and freeze-framing add to the drama, just as Dolby Stereo brings out the vocal and instrumental tonalities of the very professional singers and musicians. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Cast

• Kati Berek - Sarolt, Istvan anyja
• Victor Mate - Abbot Atrik

Istvan Szilagyi
Marta Sebestyen - Reka enekhangja
Lajos Balazsovits - Vecellin, nemet lovag
Peter Balazs - Bese, magyar four
Istvan Hunyadkurthy
Csaba Jakab
Zsolt Kortvelyessy - Hont, nemet lovag
Laszlo Ujlaki
Jacint Juhasz - Sebestyen, pap
Sandor Szakacsi - Sur, magyar four

Credit

Tamas Andor - Cinematographer; Peter Timar - Special Effects; Teri Losonci - Editor; Gábor Koltay - Director