February 2006			Film of the Month - February			Mark Merlino - Home page
		Battal Gazi'nin Oğlu
Battal Gazi'nin Oğlu is a classic Turkish film produced in 1974, starring  Cüneyt Arkın. The film is set in medieval Malatya, where there is conflict between Byzantines and the Turks. The film is a simplistic action-adventure and is the equivalent of Robin Hood or Superman films. The main character learns that he is the son of a now dead hero, Battal Gazi.
There are many parallels between the plot in this film and other plots found in cinema and literature, the life of Moses, and the sword in the stone. It should be watched as a light, low budget film and it will be quite enjoyable. There is a clear good versus evil, almost as in a cartoon. In this film, you have the Byzantines, whose characters are evil and merciless, mistreating poor, though very resilient and strong Turks. Like in Robin Hood, there is little doubt who will triumph in the end.
If you are interested in seeing a cartoonish portrayal of a folk hero from a Turkish perspective, this film will be of interest to you.