The Round-Up

Szegénylegények

Miklós Jancsó’s searing portrayal of political oppression and conflict in 19th century Hungary is both visually stunning and deeply resonant with our own times.

  • Director

    Miklós Jancsó

  • With

    János Görbe, Zoltán Latinovits, Tibor Molnár, Gábor Agárdi

  • Hungary 1966. 90min

  • 35mm

  • Certificate

    18

  • English subtitles

The first of Miklós Jancsó’s films to receive widespread international acclaim, The Round-Up presents an understated yet unsparing depiction of oppression against the sweeping backdrop of the Hungarian steppe. Following the suppression of the 1848 revolution, dissidents and ‘hard cases’ are rounded up in a prison camp and subjected to various forms of coercion to identify opposition supporters. Jancsó’s widescreen photography magnificently captures the sun-baked landscape, while within the confines of the camp mundane, almost ritualistic, acts of persecution unfold. The emphasis on landscape and atmosphere over character and dialogue creates a strikingly formalised portrayal of political violence that resonates far beyond its historical setting. This new print was made by the Hungarian National Film Institute from restored negatives.

Will Greenacre

Access information

A printed transcript of the curator’s introduction to this screening will be available on entry to the screen.

Made by the BFI National Archive with funding from the National Lottery and the additional support of donors to the Keep Film on Film campaign. Created courtesy of the Hungarian Film Institute, using the 2020 digitally restored negatives, at the Hungarian Film Archive Laboratory in 2023.