King of the Gypsies

R

Released Dec 20, 1978

1 hr. 52 min.

Drama

List

67%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

The grandson (Eric Roberts) of a Gypsy king (Sterling Hayden) inherits the New York clan ahead of his father (Judd Hirsch), who tries to kill him.

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Oliver M

Godfather Lite. Sterling Hayden takes too long to die. Best scene Susan Sarandon fortune telling.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

He's the new king of the gypsies Eric Roberts' first film role co-starring with Annette O'Toole, Judd Hirsch, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, and Annie Potts Directed by Frank Pierson and based on the book by Peter Maas Roberts plays the grandson of a gypsie who inherits the NYC clan in the 1960s But his father opts to take him out of the picture when he abandons all traditional values for the sake of modernity For thousands of years the community comes together against the world even if they fight amongst themselves, you don't need to have a million dollars to be a millionaire, in a democracy there are no kings But this movie shows a power struggle within among relatives It takes an hour and 15 min for the actual plot to kick in which I was baffled by But I'm surprised this is the most villainous character Hirsch has ever played and Roberts plays the rebellious young man very well He's pushed to the very breaking point wanting to distance himself from his roots And this works as a timeless portrayal of clashing generations of traditional cultural and familial values Good but could've been better

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/21/23

Full Review

Steve D

Mostly notable for Roberts's strong debut.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not as violent as the The Godfather but surprisingly good.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

awesome pic and Eric Robert's film debut

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The sequence of the movie is so lame, the book is much better.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

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Frank Pierson

Director

Eric Roberts

Dave

Judd Hirsch

Groffo

Sterling Hayden

King Zharko Stepanowicz

Shelley Winters

Queen Rachel

Susan Sarandon

Rose

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

Ultimately the film only works in fits and starts; a 1970s curiosity for sure, but not a classic in waiting.

Rated: 5/10

Feb 14, 2024

Full Review

Marina Hirsch

Berkeley Barb

It's the kind of movie where the blood spatters out in big slowmotion gobs when the bad guy gets his. It's also a relief when the credits finally roll by.

Dec 28, 2020

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

A noteworthy scrapbook of the cinematic period.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 21, 2020

Full Review

Larry Vitacco

Philadelphia Gay News

Eric Roberts' debut performance is impressive.

May 27, 2020

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Rated: 4/5

Nov 1, 2005

Full Review

Michael Szymanski

International Press Academy

Rated: 3/5

Oct 7, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

The grandson (Eric Roberts) of a Gypsy king (Sterling Hayden) inherits the New York clan ahead of his father (Judd Hirsch), who tries to kill him.

Director: Frank Pierson
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 1978, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 12, 2014

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