cultfilmfreaksdotcom Writer/director Frank Pierson attempts a time period drama ala Francis Ford Coppola in the GODFATHER-inspired KING OF THE GYPSIES, centering on those infamously resilient scarf- waring vagabonds. The first act introduces the self titled leader of con-artist nomads played by Sterling Hayden, whose energetic performance makes up for the fact we get little backstory to how his character, Zharko Stepanowicz, rose to prominence in the first place.We begin in the past: an abduction of a rival's daughter during a gypsy family party. Zharko wanted this girl for his spoiled son, Groffo, who will later grow up to be a slightly miscast Judd Hirsch, over-reaching the antagonist role with stage play gusto. He's married to a perfectly cast Susan Sarandon as Rose, the true working class hero of the Gypsy family. Reading fortunes and using her young son to steal diamonds, Rose is the breadwinner of the mobile clan. Unfortunately, her only paychecks are the random beatings from her abusive, no-good husband.Throughout the narration by Eric Roberts playing Dave, the King's grandson and Rose's firstborn, are involving scenes with the young Dave (Matthew Labyorteaux) wreaking havoc around town, turning into dad's getaway driver and eventually becoming a thieving street urchin on his own. When he grows into Eric Roberts he's completely separate from the Gypsy life: an estranged prodigal grandson until Zharko takes him back into the fold.Eric Roberts, in his first theatrical role, is both intense and vulnerable as an aimless young man who is eventually, on his grandfather's deathbed, given the "King" moniker, thus becoming a target from his jealous dad. Groffo eventually plans to sell his daughter/Dave's sister (Brooke Shields) to another family, and for mother Rose, this is the last straw. She talks Dave into setting things right and the real excitement begins. Never quite sure if it's a time period melodrama or a violent exploitation style thriller, GYPSIES is always intriguing, especially as Dave, bearing the weight of his new title, has to fight his way out of a cursed life: surviving intense chases on foot or in speeding cars.

Bill Petkanas A great small movie, with a not unusual plot, some nice and some OK acting, very nice direction and photography and most of all, a fantastic soundtrack -- Stephane Grappelli (a gypsy jazz violinist who played with Django Rinehardt) does incredibly fine gypsy style music - worth it for this alone! Also fun to see a young, dishy Susan Sarandon and a very young Eric Roberts in this movie. Judd Hirsh is great playing a counter to his usual sweet image (or gruff old guy a la "I'm not Rappaport"). In this movie, Hirsh is positively evil. A great peek into a unique culture of traveling people who have been vilified and chased all over the world.

JasparLamarCrabb King Zharko Stepanowicz? Not bad for what it is...a lightweight version of THE GODFATHER with Sterling Hayden as a gypsy King who names grandson Eric Roberts his heir, thereby overlooking his son Judd Hirsch. Mayhem ensues. The movie is all over the place and the sloppy direction by Frank Pierson is not helped by a lot of hammy acting. Hayden and Shelley Winters lead the pack, which is no surprise, but to see the usually low-key Hirsch and Susan Sarandon ACTING up a storm as gypsies is really disheartening. Roberts, in his debut, is pretty good...he clearly hadn't developed the weirdly affected style that would sustain him through the likes of RUNAWAY TRAIN and THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE. This movie was supposed to make him the next John Travolta. It didn't. The supporting cast is a mixed bag including Michael V. Gazzo, Brooke Shields and Annie Potts. There's a very funny scene involving Sarandon trying to retrieve some diamonds she stole with the help of her little son!

mcdoodad49 I first saw this film at a theatre in 1978 and have only seen it on television once. I can't remember what attracted me to seeing it, but it was a surprisingly good movie. Eric Roberts showed the industry that he can act and be very convincing. The central actors must have studied gypsy life because they pulled it off very well. The film is mostly about the tension of the next successor to the throne (Judd Hirsch) and his son (Eric Roberts) whom the present King (Sterling Hayden) favors as his actual successor. Hirsch plays a cold, scheming character who finally does one of the most despicable acts a person can do, and shows no remorse for it. This, in turn, sparks retaliation from his son. If I ever find it on DVD, it will become part of my collection. I give this film an 8 out of 10.