Institute History
Description
Not only the first American-Hungarian co-production, but perhaps the first World War II western as well, Brady’s Escape combines our flair for action with the Hungarians sensitivity to human drama. A pilot shot down over Hungary is rescued and harbored by five horsemen—the legendary “csikos” cowboys of the Hungarian plain and partisans fighting the Nazi occupation. Recuperating over the course of several weeks, the pilot Brady develops a deep relationship with a young boy Miki and Klara, a lovely schoolteacher. In the end, their lives are intricately intertwined as Brandy escapes into Yugoslavia with the Nazis left to ravage the csikos in revenge. Under the direction of Paul Gabor (well known here for Angi Vera), John Savage (Hair, The Deer Hunter) a Brady and Kelly Reno (The Black Stallion) as Miki both turn in fine performances. Elmer Ragalyi’s cinematography captures the breadth and scope of the landscape to a degree rarely seen in Hungarian productions.