mazarin07

We are in Italy in 1528, when Pope Clement VII ruled Rome and the Papal state, but his authority was challenged by many rivals, and especially Holy Roman emperor Charles V, who supported Cardinal Colonna in his ambitions to take the papal throne. The civil population is ransomed both by papal and enemy troops. The marriages between nobles are based on family interests, not affection. Princess Elena Campireali should have to follow the same destiny and marry the wealthy prince Savelli who is expected to give financial and other support to her family. However, Elena meets by chance the young mercenario captain Giulio Branciforte, and they fall in love. What will prevail: the feelings of the two young inamoroso, or the social order and family interests?

The story is based on the novel "L'Abbesse de Castro" written in 1832 by the romantic author Stendhal.

The large-scale historical novel "Egri csillagok" ("Stars of Eger") Géza Gárdonyi is a required reading in any Hungarian primary school. This novel was the base for the monumental film directed by Zoltán Várkonyi featuring the greatest Hungarian actors of that time. We are in mid- 1500s Hungary. The country is ravaged by raiding Turkish troops, that are robbing, looting, and hunting for slaves. Gergely Bornemisza and Éva Cecey are still children when they fall into the hands of Jumurdzsák, a Turkish military commander who wants to sell his valuable prisoners on an Eastern slaves market. However, the children manage to escaped, and carry with them a precious talisman of their superstitious kidnapper. The Turkish master has no more luck, while the brave little boy Gergely Bornemisza becomes lucky.