Budapest Classic Film Marathon 2025: The Mikado

Director: Victor Schertzinger

Screenplay by Geoffrey Toye
Director of photography: Bernard Knowles, William V. Skall
Music by Arthur Sullivan, W.S. Gilbert
Cast: Kenny Baker, Martyn Green, Gregory Stroud

Celebrating 130 Years of Cinema / Big Screen Painter – Vértes Marcell / Marcel Vertès 130

Introduction: Galina Torma, Chief researcher, archivist, NFI – Film Archive

In this 1939 adaptation, the humorous operetta by the popular British composer duo of Gilbert and Sullivan appears in a true colour-cavalcade thanks to early Technicolor technique and the stunning sets and costumes of Marcell Vértes. The satirical story poking fun at English bureaucracy is set in fabled Japan. The son of the Mikado escapes the court and an arranged marriage. Travelling incognito, he meets Yum-Yum. They immediately fall in love with each other, although the girl is already engaged to her own guardian, the local executioner Ko-Ko. Although Ko-Ko is ready to give up the girl, it comes at a huge price. 

More information on the Budapest Classic Film Marathon's program at Uránia >>