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» » Codine (1963)

Short summary

An ex-convict struggles to survive by brute force alone in a turn-of-the-century slum in Braila. Codine (Alexandre Virgil Platon) is the thug who served 10 years for murdering a friend. He returns home to his miserly mother, whose penny-pinching ways infuriate her son. A young boy looks up to Codine, and through the man's eyes he sees the economic and social injustices from an adult perspective. When Codine kills another man who violated his trust, his mother becomes more unhinged and paranoid. Thinking her son will steal her hoarded money, she plots to kill her only son. The impressionable child watches in horror and amazement at the cruel machinations of the adult work that surrounds him.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Uaha
    one of the films of my childhood. one of the most impressive for the scene of the terrible punishment of mother against his son. the atmosphere of old Brăila. the story of a not ordinary friendship. the not inspired dialogues. the sketch of an exotic universe. short, a film who could be blamed for many reasons. but each critic ignores a significant detail - Panait Istrati appertains to two different cultures. his origins are almost more Balcanic than Romanian. his work reflects the essence of memories, experiences, frustrations and perspectives of reality. and it is the answer to very different expectations from a not single category of public. so, this adaptation is the adaptation of Colpi. not so bad if you do not ignore the impossibility to adapt, in its profound significance, the novels of Istrati. real admirable for the effort to preserve the spirit of Codin. like a sketch not as a painting. but enough for give , after decades, precious memories to a viewer.
  • comment
    • Author: Hǻrley Quinn
    for me, one of movies who has not definition. sure, the subject is not complicated. a dark hero of Brăila. a local legend. killer, drunker, brutal man. a not very credible friendship. an ambitious project who has as axis only images from exotic slice of Balkans.good point - the revenge of mother . an adaptation, French-Romanian co -production. but that is all. Colpi gives a fake story and use the novel in a not inspired manner. the film is not saved by actors work but seems be decent for give the salt air of Danubian city. it is a nice trip. interesting not for for artistic virtues but for nostalgic crumbs and, maybe, for a form of humor. short - crumbs from Panait Istrati confession and the spiced dust of harbor. nothing else. only picture of a strange place.in not the inspired clothes.
  • Cast overview, first billed only:
    Alexandru Virgil Platon Alexandru Virgil Platon - Codine
    Razvan Petrescu Razvan Petrescu - Adrian Zograffi
    Françoise Brion Françoise Brion - Irène
    Nelly Borgeaud Nelly Borgeaud - Zoitza Zograffi (as Nellie Borgeaud)
    Germaine Kerjean Germaine Kerjean - Anastasia
    Maurice Sarfati Maurice Sarfati - Alexis
    Eliza Petrachescu Eliza Petrachescu
    Graziela Albini Graziela Albini - (as Gratiela Albini)
    Eugenia Bosânceanu Eugenia Bosânceanu - (as Eugenia Bosinceanu)
    Nicolae Bodescu Nicolae Bodescu - (as Nicolae Budescu)
    Dorin Dron Dorin Dron
    Mihai Fotino Mihai Fotino
    Victor Moldovan Victor Moldovan
    Mihai Mereuta Mihai Mereuta
    Constantin Stoica Constantin Stoica
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