The Day That Shook the World
Encyclopedia
The Day That Shook the World is the English language title for the 1975 Czechoslovakian/Yugoslavian/German co-production film called Sarajevski atentat. The film, starring Christopher Plummer
and Florinda Bolkan
is about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie
in Sarajevo
in 1914 and the immediate aftermath that led to the outbreak of World War I
. When the only surviving heir to the Emperor of Austro-Hungary, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Christopher Plummer) was killed by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, on June 28, 1914, his death set in motion a chain of events which resulted in the First World War. This movie chronicles the events surrounding that death and its aftermath. The assassination gave the Germans and Austrians reason to fear that Russia was actively fomenting unrest in the Balkans, for Serbia was a bone of contention throughout the region.
The Day That Shook World got very positive reviews in the USA, but two negative reviews. Movie was dubbed in theatres (USA - English, Czechoslovakia - Czech, Germany - German ...).The New York Times said about the movie : "Unfortunately, their "Day That Shook the World" is a footnote to history that is rarely moving.". Movie up to this day hasn't aired on TV, just once in Czechoslovakia Television two years after its cinema release.
released the movie in 1977 with English dub. Later in the 90's the movie was released VidAmerica to VHS
.
Filmed well over a year ago on authentic Yugoslav locations, this "Day That Shook the World" appears to have been cut somewhat confusingly, for all of the obviously good, serious intentions of its little-known director, Veljko Bulajic, and his American scenarist, Paul Jarrico.
Although they focus in captivating color on the June 1914 assassination in Sarajevo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his morganatic wife, Sophie, their plotters, the burning nationalistic issues and the regal machinations that led to that fateful day are touched on in a succession of brief, fuzzy intrigues. The hatred of Bosnian, Serbian, Muslim and other nationalities of Hapsburg dominance is merely indicated. And the backgrounds of the seemingly educated, mostly youthful student-conspirators are also glossed over.
If memory serves, photographs of the Archduke and his spouse were portraits of a rather heavy-set, mature couple, but in the persons of Christopher Plummer and Florinda Bolkan they are a strikingly photogenic, regal and loving pair. Mr. Plummer not only adores the equally loving, stately, brunette Miss Bolkan and their three children but also carries off official duties at military maneuvers and dinners with the same brashness he evinces in a mild clash with Franz Joseph, the irascible, octogenarian emperor.
Maximilian Schell plays the role of the tortured, eventually ill-fated, bearded revolutionary who trains the callow assassins, with simple, glum determination. Among the largely Yugoslav supporting cast, Irfan Mensur plays Gavrilo Princip, the young conspirator who fired the fatal shots. Like his colleagues, he is simply a harried type more involved in a series of escapes from detection by the police than in character delineation.
In guiding his fairly large cast, Mr. Bulajic has succeeded in creating a good deal of melodrama, some tension and a few tepid romantic interludes. And Jan Curik, his cinematographer, has captured the scenic charms of an operetta-like countryside and the visual qualities of vintage automobiles, colorful uniforms and sham battles with toy-like soldiers in maneuvers.
in category Special Mention in 1976
Christopher Plummer
Arthur Christopher Orne Plummer, CC is a Canadian theatre, film and television actor. He made his film debut in 1957's Stage Struck, and notable early film performances include Night of the Generals, The Return of the Pink Panther and The Man Who Would Be King.In a career that spans over five...
and Florinda Bolkan
Florinda Bolkan
Florinda Bolkan is a Brazilian actress, born Florinda Bulcão.-Biography:Daughter of a congressman and a granddaughter of a priest on her mother's side, Florinda lived in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará state, and in Rio de Janeiro until she became a world citizen...
is about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie
Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg
Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg ; 1 March 1868 – 28 June 1914) was a Czech aristocrat, the morganatic wife of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. Their assassination sparked World War I.- Early life :...
in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
in 1914 and the immediate aftermath that led to the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. When the only surviving heir to the Emperor of Austro-Hungary, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Christopher Plummer) was killed by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, on June 28, 1914, his death set in motion a chain of events which resulted in the First World War. This movie chronicles the events surrounding that death and its aftermath. The assassination gave the Germans and Austrians reason to fear that Russia was actively fomenting unrest in the Balkans, for Serbia was a bone of contention throughout the region.
The Day That Shook World got very positive reviews in the USA, but two negative reviews. Movie was dubbed in theatres (USA - English, Czechoslovakia - Czech, Germany - German ...).The New York Times said about the movie : "Unfortunately, their "Day That Shook the World" is a footnote to history that is rarely moving.". Movie up to this day hasn't aired on TV, just once in Czechoslovakia Television two years after its cinema release.
Release
The film premiered on 31 October 1977 in Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia with English language premieres in January 1977 in Britain and USA. American International PicturesAmerican International Pictures
American International Pictures was a film production company formed in April 1956 from American Releasing Corporation by James H. Nicholson, former Sales Manager of Realart Pictures, and Samuel Z. Arkoff, an entertainment lawyer...
released the movie in 1977 with English dub. Later in the 90's the movie was released VidAmerica to VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
.
Review
Despite an awesome title, "The Day That Shook the World," which arrived at the Festival yesterday, is more quaint than explosive. As a dramatization of the fulminating events leading up to and including the royal murders that triggered World War I, it is a fragmented revival of the past that evolves largely as a picturesque adventure rather than portentous, persuasive history.Filmed well over a year ago on authentic Yugoslav locations, this "Day That Shook the World" appears to have been cut somewhat confusingly, for all of the obviously good, serious intentions of its little-known director, Veljko Bulajic, and his American scenarist, Paul Jarrico.
Although they focus in captivating color on the June 1914 assassination in Sarajevo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his morganatic wife, Sophie, their plotters, the burning nationalistic issues and the regal machinations that led to that fateful day are touched on in a succession of brief, fuzzy intrigues. The hatred of Bosnian, Serbian, Muslim and other nationalities of Hapsburg dominance is merely indicated. And the backgrounds of the seemingly educated, mostly youthful student-conspirators are also glossed over.
If memory serves, photographs of the Archduke and his spouse were portraits of a rather heavy-set, mature couple, but in the persons of Christopher Plummer and Florinda Bolkan they are a strikingly photogenic, regal and loving pair. Mr. Plummer not only adores the equally loving, stately, brunette Miss Bolkan and their three children but also carries off official duties at military maneuvers and dinners with the same brashness he evinces in a mild clash with Franz Joseph, the irascible, octogenarian emperor.
Maximilian Schell plays the role of the tortured, eventually ill-fated, bearded revolutionary who trains the callow assassins, with simple, glum determination. Among the largely Yugoslav supporting cast, Irfan Mensur plays Gavrilo Princip, the young conspirator who fired the fatal shots. Like his colleagues, he is simply a harried type more involved in a series of escapes from detection by the police than in character delineation.
In guiding his fairly large cast, Mr. Bulajic has succeeded in creating a good deal of melodrama, some tension and a few tepid romantic interludes. And Jan Curik, his cinematographer, has captured the scenic charms of an operetta-like countryside and the visual qualities of vintage automobiles, colorful uniforms and sham battles with toy-like soldiers in maneuvers.
Awards
Movie won one award at the San Sebastián International Film FestivalSan Sebastián International Film Festival
The San Sebastián International Film Festival is an annual FIAPF A category film festival held in the Spanish city of San Sebastián .-History:The festival was founded in 1953...
in category Special Mention in 1976
Cast
- Christopher PlummerChristopher PlummerArthur Christopher Orne Plummer, CC is a Canadian theatre, film and television actor. He made his film debut in 1957's Stage Struck, and notable early film performances include Night of the Generals, The Return of the Pink Panther and The Man Who Would Be King.In a career that spans over five...
as Archduke FerdinandArchduke Franz Ferdinand of AustriaFranz Ferdinand was an Archduke of Austria-Este, Austro-Hungarian and Royal Prince of Hungary and of Bohemia, and from 1889 until his death, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His assassination in Sarajevo precipitated Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia... - Florinda BolkanFlorinda BolkanFlorinda Bolkan is a Brazilian actress, born Florinda Bulcão.-Biography:Daughter of a congressman and a granddaughter of a priest on her mother's side, Florinda lived in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará state, and in Rio de Janeiro until she became a world citizen...
as Sophie, Duchess of HohenbergSophie, Duchess of HohenbergSophie, Duchess of Hohenberg ; 1 March 1868 – 28 June 1914) was a Czech aristocrat, the morganatic wife of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. Their assassination sparked World War I.- Early life :... - Maximilian SchellMaximilian SchellMaximilian Schell is an Austrian-born Swiss actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Judgment at Nuremberg in 1961...
as Đuro Šarac - Irfan MensurIrfan MensurIrfan Mensur , is a Serbian theatre, television and film actor.* He is living and playing roles in Serbia for 30 years. He is married for the 2nd time to Serbian actress Srna Lango...
as Gavrilo PrincipGavrilo PrincipGavrilo Princip was the Bosnian Serb who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914... - Radoš Bajić as Nedeljko ČabrinovićNedeljko CabrinovicNedeljko Čabrinović was a member of the nationalist Young Bosnia movement, and one of a group of seven who intended to assassinate Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria during his announced visit to Sarajevo.Born in Sarajevo, Čabrinović spent many of his post-school years as a handyman, before...
- Ivan VyskočilIvan VyskočilIvan Vyskočil is a Czech actor. He starred in the film Poslední propadne peklu under director Ludvík Ráža in 1982.-Selected filmography:* Poslední propadne peklu * Smrt krásných srnců -References:...
as Mehmed MehmedbašićMuhamed MehmedbašicMuhamed Mehmedbašić was a Bosniak/Muslim revolutionary and participant in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.-Background:... - Libuše ŠafránkováLibuše ŠafránkováLibuše Šafránková is a Czech actress. Her husband is actor Josef Abrhám. In 2008 she received the prize Hvězda mého srdce , awarded by the Czech Television.- Filmography :...
as Jelena - Otomar KorbelářOtomar KorbelářOtomar Korbelář was a Czechoslovak film actor. He appeared in over 40 films between 1931 and 1976.-Selected filmography:* The Lantern * The Hard Life of an Adventurer * Experiment...
as Franz Joseph I of AustriaFranz Joseph I of AustriaFranz Joseph I or Francis Joseph I was Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, King of Croatia, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Galicia and Lodomeria and Grand Duke of Cracow from 1848 until his death in 1916.In the December of 1848, Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria abdicated the throne as part of... - Wilhelm Koch-Hooge as Franz Conrad
- Jiří HolýJiří HolýJiří Holý was a Czech actor. He starred in the film Poslední propadne peklu under director Ludvík Ráža in 1982.-References:...
as Erich von Merizzi - Nelly Gaierová as Countess Langus
- Jiří Kodet as Morsley
External links
- http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9506EEDD1539E334BC4C51DFB766838C669EDE
- http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19750708&id=f5MuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Y6EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2817,2377963 The Montreal Gazette - Jul 8, 1975
- http://books.google.com/books?id=PuQCAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA74&ots=5pUfQbKvXj&dq=florinda%20bolkan%20in%20sarajevo&pg=PA74#v=onepage&q=shook&f=false New York Magazine, Jan 31, 1977 - (Google Books, 7 October 2011)