Romania / 1965 / 164’ / b/w / Psychological drama, War / Sub: EN / AG / Digitalized version by The National Film Archive

Directed by: Liviu Ciulei

Screnplay: Titus Popovici, adaptation after the novel with the same title by Liviu Rebreanu

With: Victor Rebengiuc, Liviu Ciulei, György Kovács, Ştefan Ciubotăraşu, Ana Szeles, Gina Patrichi, Andrei Csiki, Emmerich Schäffer, Costache Antoniu, Emil Botta, Ion Caramitru, Mihai Mereuţă, Gheorghe Cozorici, Angela Moldovan, Mariana Mihuţ, Toma Caragiu, Nae Roman, Laszlo Kiss, Nicolae Tomazoglu, Constantin Brezeanu

Produced by:Bucharest Cinema Studios

Following accurately the narration of the well-known novel, the film highlights the psychological evolution of the main character, the Romanian lieutenant Apostol Bologa (Victor Rebengiuc) of the Austrian-Hungarian army during World War I. He begins by dutifully obeying his senior officers' orders, and ends up by deserting from the army to avoid having to kill his fellows countrymen during the armed struggle with the Romanian army. Although he is caught and hanged, Apostol dies with a free heart

The film premiered in Romania March 16th, 1965 and it was presented at the Cannes Film Festival the same year obtaining Best Director Prize.