Reviews

"Revansa" (Payback) appeared not so long after the preview movie of the series, "Un comisar acuza" (The Police Inspector Calls). In this sequel we meet up with police inspector Tudor Moldovan,once again, who wasn't actually killed and who has returned to put an end to Paraipan's actions once and for all. When Paraipan kidnaps Moldovan's kid, the police inspector makes up his mind to punish Paraipan and his bosses and to finish off the fascist movement, lead by Zavoianu and his allies. Together with the communist that fight to gain power, Moldovan takes out his enemies one by one. However, the duel between Paraipan and Moldovan is not so spectacular as it was in "The Police Inspector Calls", but it brings the two characters closer, in a longer dialogue. After he accomplishes his mission, Moldovan doesn't get what he deserves, he is betrayed by his leaders, so the movie ends again in a confusing and bitter way. The movie leaves a few questions without answer in the end, but if you are already used to Nicolaescu's style, this won't be a surprise. The movie is directed brilliantly and has it's moments. It's really good and if you've seen "The Police Inspector Calls" , then you must see this one as well.

I've seen the unique series of romanian action movies, directed in a great manner by expert romanian director Sergiu Nicolaescu many times. The story of this movie is about the investigation run by police inspector Tudor Moldovan (played by Sergiu Nicolaescu), in the case of the murders committed at a prison in Bucharest by the fascist movement in Romania , during the 1940's. The story was somewhat discussed by the communist regime that ruled Romania, when the movie was made, who imposed Nicolaescu to show the communist movement that appears in the movie in a good light, giving it an overated role during the events that took place during the 1940's. However, the main character, Tudor Moldovan, keeps a neutral political line, which is a strong point of the movie. Built up using the Hollywood hero type, Tudor Moldovan is intelligent, brave, intuitive and ofcourse, a heart-breaker. However, Nicolaescu , being the man of action, hasn't insisted too much on the sentimental part so we won't see women almost at all in the entire movie. Moldovan has to put up with his rival: the professional assasin, "Paraipan", excellent played by Gheorghe Dinica. Also, other characters like Limba, played by Jean Constantin, the small time punk that helps Moldovan in his investigation, gives the movie a wonderful comedy taste. The end of the movie, is made in Nicolaescu's typical manner: after making justice among the bad guys, Tudor Moldovan is also shot in a heroic battle. This leaves you with quite a bitter taste exactly in the end and shows you that Nicolaescu doesn't like happy endings.. Nicolaescu is a master in the work of a camera. This can be seen in all of his movies, here as well. Overall, young Nicolaescu looks good, as a director as well as the main character in the movie. So: good acting, performed by many great romanian actors, good directing, Nicolaescu style, nice story. A great movie that you should see. 9/10