Andrea Rost . . . . . . . . .. Melinda

Eva Marton . . . . . . . . . . .Queen Gertrúd

Attila Kiss B . . . . . . . . . .Bánk Bán

Dénes Gulyás . . . . . . . . .Otto

Directed by Csaba Káel

Cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond

Music/Opera. Hungary. 118 Minutes

Not for opera lovers only, this magnificently cinematic adaptation of Hungarian composer Ferenc Erkel's 19th century tragic opera Bánk Bán is the perfect marriage of opera and film, bar none, and superlative filmmaking in any category. Little known in the United States, this opera is considered a national treasure in Hungary, attaining the adored status of TheWizard of Oz in America. While Oz has some wonderful popular songs, the musical achievement of Bánk Bán is in another category altogether. The reason for the not altogether appropriate comparison is to emphasize that this wonderful film is one that will delight a very wide audience, if only they get the opportunity to see it. It works wonderfully well on all the levels attempted. It is riveting drama, truly thrilling musically, and a knockout visual experience.

This new film version was a labor of love for the mostly Hungarian cast and crew and the effort shines through in every frame and perfectly synched syllable. The first film for director Csaba Káel, he assembled the dazzling Andrea Rost and a host of other brilliant operatic voices and set to work to blending into perfect harmony the dramatic narrative with a flawless Dolby digital sound track. Not least among its charms are the exquisite locations in the beautiful Hungarian countryside. This is a rare opportunity to see the country outside of Budapest. Through the lens of master cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond (McCabe and Mrs Miller, The Deerhunter, Close Encounters of the Third Kind), it shines. Although it will be available soon on DVD, make every effort to see it at select venues in its widescreen glory. Now showing at the Gene Siskel Film Center of the Art Institute of Chicago through May 8, 2003.