Arpad the gypsy

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Television series
German title Arpad the gypsy
Original title Arpad, le tzigane
Country of production France , Hungary , Germany
original language French
Year (s) 1973 - 1974
length 25 minutes
Episodes 26 in 2 seasons
genre adventure
music Paul Piot
First broadcast March 27, 1973 on ZDF ( D )
occupation

Arpad, the Gypsy (original title: Arpad, le tzigane ) was a German-Hungarian-French television series that ran from 1973 to 1974 in 26 episodes in the evening program of ZDF .

The series quickly became popular thanks to the romantic and exciting adventures of the hero Arpad (a kind of Hungarian " Robin Hood ") and his great love Rilana . The French actor Robert Etcheverry became a star through the series and the British actress Edwige Pierre had her greatest success here. The theme from Paul Piot was quite well known.

Due to the success of the series, the Eastern European first name Rilana also became a popular first name for newborn girls in Germany.

In April 2005, the first six episodes of this series appeared on DVD; In November 2009, all 26 episodes were finally released as a DVD box.

action

The TV series is set in Hungary and begins in 1699, during the Kuruc uprisings against the Austrians. An exact period is no longer mentioned in the following, but the bulk of the plot must, based on its logic , fall into the time of the uprising of Francis II Rákóczi (1703 to 1711).

The Austrians liberated Hungary from the rule of the Ottomans, but now turn out to be brutal oppressors for their part. Hungary's people are rebelling. In the TV series, a coarse blacksmith takes the lead, from episode 9 of season 1 onwards, Prince Ferenc II. Bekeczy. The opponent of the rebels is an Austrian general who is always called a "general" and who does not shrink from any deceit, however mean.

The Roma people , and with them Arpad, get caught between the fronts and are treated with disdain by both warring parties. An exception is the level-headed Prince Bekeczy, who becomes friends with Arpad. He convinces Arpad to fight on the side of Hungary against Austria - which Arpad does from then on with cunning and humor without shedding blood. Arpad is supported by the beautiful Rilana, a Roma and Arpad's great love. Despite his efforts, many ethnic Hungarians continue to despise him as a supposed stranger and "gypsy". His own people are also critical of Arpad's efforts, because he repeatedly unintentionally provokes acts of revenge against the Roma by the Austrians.

All efforts and fights are ultimately in vain when the main characters are ambushed by the Austrian general: Prince Bekeczy ends up in captivity, Arpad and Rilana are mortally wounded.

background

  • The figure of the fictional Prince Ferenc II. Bekeczy is loosely based on the historical figure of Prince Rákóczi , with whom she even shares the first name Ferenc ("Franz").
  • The film character of the scheming Belgian captain Landemal is reminiscent of the historically guaranteed officer François de Longueval (1647–1719) from Belgium, who in 1701 betrayed Prince Rákóczi’s uprising against the Habsburg emperor.
  • The represented uniforms of the Austrians are typical of the time with the exception of the general's outfit; this erroneously quotes the uniform style of the late 18th century.

Episode list

season 1

No. (total) No. (season) Episode title First broadcast
1 1 The warehouse March 27, 1973
2 2 Prince and Gypsies 3rd April 1973
3 3 Hunt for Arpad April 10, 1973
4th 4th The judgment April 17th 1973
5 5 Gypsy wedding April 24, 1973
6th 6th Escape through the Puszta May 8, 1973
7th 7th The exchange of women May 15, 1973
8th 8th A masked ball May 22, 1973
9 9 The hostages May 29, 1973
10 10 The law of the gypsies 5th June 1973
11 11 The betrayal June 12, 1973
12 12 Captured June 19, 1973
13 13 the execution June 26, 1973

season 2

No. (total) No. (season) Episode title First broadcast
14th 1 Between the lines July 16, 1974
15th 2 The mysterious animal 23rd July 1974
16 3 David and Goliath July 30, 1974
17th 4th The executioner's meal August 6, 1974
18th 5 Varkony's legacy August 13, 1974
19th 6th The occupied garrison 20th August 1974
20th 7th Hunted and pursued August 27, 1974
21st 8th The shifted border 3rd September 1974
22nd 9 The outbreak September 10, 1974
23 10 The honeymoon 17th September 1974
24 11 eye to eye September 24, 1974
25th 12 The lepers 1st October 1974
26th 13 The trap October 8, 1974

literature

Web links