King of the Gypsies (film)

King of the Gypsies is a 1978 American drama film by Paramount Pictures starring Eric Roberts (in his film debut), Sterling Hayden, Shelley Winters, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, Annette O'Toole and Judd Hirsch.

King of the Gypsies
Theatrical release poster by Sanford Kossin
Directed byFrank Pierson
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySven Nykvist
Edited byPaul Hirsch
Music byDavid Grisman, Stephane Grappelli
Production
company
Dino De Laurentiis Company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • December 20, 1978 (1978-12-20)
Running time
112 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5–8 million[1]
Box office$7,325,177 (USA)

Originally planned to be directed by Peter Bogdanovich,[2] the film was finally directed by Frank Pierson from a screenplay which he adapted from the 1975 book King of the Gypsies by Peter Maas. The book tells the story of Steve Tene and his Gypsy family.

Plot

The film deals with the criminal ways and turbulent lives of a group of modern-day Gypsies living in the early 1960s of New York City. While on his deathbed their "king", Zharko Stepanowicz, passes his position of leadership on to his unwilling grandson, Dave. In spite of Dave's reluctance to become the Gypsies' new leader, Dave's father, Groffo, resentful over not having been appointed leader, attempts to have Dave killed. Groffo is scheming and temperamental, and uses violence and threats to get the clan to do his bidding. Eventually this leads to a major confrontation with his son, and the film ends with the suggestion that Dave has finally accepted his legacy; with his voiceover considering the possibility of his bringing the rest of the tradition-bound Gypsies into the world of 20th Century customs and lifestyles.

Cast

See also

References
  1. "AFI|Catalog".
  2. "Briefs on the Arts: Monet Study Added To Met Exhibition Bogdanovich Signs For Gypsy Film Mrs. Ford to Aid Group for Dance". New York Times. 25 January 1975. p. 13.
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