Budapest Classic Film Marathon 2026: The Empire Gone With A Sneeze

Director: Tamás Banovich

Written by Tamás Török
Screenplay by Tamás Banovich
Director of photography: György Illés
Music by László Gulyás
Cast: Imre Soós, Mariann Krencsey, József Tímár

Road to the Hungarian Revolution of 1956

The only fairy tale film to be banned was made from the drama written on the basis of Tamás Török’s folk tale A csillagszemű juhász (The Starry-eyed Shepherd). The tyrant king throws the disobedient shepherd into his dungeon because the lad refuses to say ‘bless you’ when royalty sneezes. However, the beautiful princess helps him escape and he then sets about outsmarting everyone. His magic flute sets the entire regime dancing into the bottomless well where the wealthy have hidden their ill-gotten gains. This satirical parable was the final film part played by tragically fated Imre Soós.

Supporting film

Hungarian Film News 1956/37 September
Hungarian Film News, bw, 1956, Language: Hungarian, Subtitles: English, 12’ 

Hungarian Salami
Hungarian animation, colour, 1957, dir: István Imre, English, Subtitles: Hungarian, 2’
A children’s story board book comes to life and the boy and girl flipping through the pages help the court chef prepare a feast for guests of the king.

NFI - Film Archive

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