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6.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Haiducii remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
You should probably watch Haiducii if you like old-fashioned revenge stories where the bad guys are really, really mean.
It is great for anyone who enjoys 1960s European cinema that feels a bit dusty and raw.
If you need fast-paced action or crisp digital effects, you will likely hate this.
The movie starts with Victorita, whose family gets absolutely wrecked by a mercenary.
It is a heavy way to start, and the acting feels a bit loud, like they are performing for the back row of a theater.
Victorita decides the best way to survive is to dress like a man and run off with the outlaws.
I have to say, her disguise is not exactly convincing.
She basically just puts on a hat and a big coat, but apparently, that is enough to fool a whole gang of bandits in the 18th century.
The leader of the outlaws is a cool character, even if he spends a lot of time just looking intensely at the horizon.
There is a scene where they are planning the rescue of her sister from a boyar (a rich landowner).
The boyar is played with such greasy energy that you really want to see him get punched.
The movie reminds me a little bit of the energy in Adventure Mad, though it takes itself much more seriously.
One thing I noticed was the sound design.
The horses sound like they are galloping right inside your ears, even when they are far away on screen. 🐎
It is a bit distracting, but it adds to that weird analog charm the whole film has.
The landscapes are beautiful in a bleak way.
There is a lot of mud and grey sky, which makes the outlaws' life look pretty miserable.
It’s not like those Hollywood movies where being a bandit looks like a fun camping trip.
The middle of the movie drags a little bit when they are just sitting around the fire talking.
I found myself looking at the background actors who seemed very confused about where to stand.
One guy in the back of the outlaw camp is just holding a piece of bread for like three minutes without biting it.
But when the rescue actually happens, the tension is real.
The way they use the forest to hide is filmed quite well for 1960.
It doesn't have the polish of The Patent Leather Kid, but it has more grit.
The sister character is mostly just there to be rescued, which is a bit of a bummer.
I wish she had a bit more to do than just look scared in a fancy room.
However, the final confrontation with the boyar feels earned.
It is a messy, sweaty fight that doesn't look choreographed at all.
I think the movie is better once it stops trying to be a grand epic and just focuses on Victorita’s anger.
The ending comes up pretty fast.
It almost felt like they ran out of film and just decided to stop right there.
Still, it’s a solid pick if you want to see something different from the usual stuff.
It has a lot of heart, even if the editing is a bit jumpy in places.
Overall, it's a decent watch for a Sunday afternoon.
Just don't expect a masterpiece of logic.
IMDb 4.5
1922
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