B?NK B?N

A new film version of Ferenc Erkel's famous, but rarely performed, historical opera about medieval court intrigues, B?NK B?N was shot by ace Hungarian cameraman Vilmos Zsigmond, who used numerous spectacular locations and only one studio set. In the year 1213, Hungary's King Endre II is waging war abroad. At home, his queen, Gertrud, a foreigner, has seized power, and heaps privileges on her Meranian countrymen. Nobleman Petur Ban wants to lead a Magyar rebellion against the Meranians, but his brother Bank, a high-ranking courtier, feels loyalty to the King. But when Bank learns that Endre's evil brother Otto wants to seduce his wife Melinda, he joins the uprising of Magyars who are gathering arms against the queen. Private emotions expressed in intensely felt and sung duos stand in for larger, grander principles. A cast of world famous Hungarian opera stars does justice to this great patriotic epic. The score is performed under the baton of Tamas Pal who draws an enthralling performance from the Hungarian Orchestra of the Millennium. Filmed on location in Hungary, coverage of many Hungarian architectural landmarks is outstanding. (In Magyar with English subtitles)