Cyclops (1982)
A haunting Yugoslav drama about an intellectual paralyzed by conscience as World War II descends on Zagreb in 1941.
Cyclops - Movie Information
- Original Title: Kiklop
- Release Year: 1982
- Directed by: Antun Vrdoljak
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 2h 18m
- Original Language: SH
- Spoken Languages: Serbo-Croatian
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 9, 1982 (HR)
- Production Companies: Televizija Zagreb, FRZ Dalmacija, Jadran Film
- Production Countries: Yugoslavia
Cyclops - Plot
Melkior Tresic is one of many intellectuals in 1941 Zagreb who is helplessly waiting for the encroaching war.
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Cyclops - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Antun Vrdoljak
Main Cast
- Frano Lasić
- Ljuba Tadić
- Rade Šerbedžija
- Mira Furlan
- María Baxa
- Relja Bašić
- Mustafa Nadarević
- Boris Dvornik
- Rade Marković
- Zvonimir Rogoz
Writers
- Antun Vrdoljak
Cyclops - FAQs
What is Cyclops about?
Cyclops follows Melkior Tresić, a Zagreb intellectual caught in the agonizing limbo of 1941 as World War II bears down on Yugoslavia. Adapted from Ranko Marinković's celebrated novel, the film explores moral paralysis, friendship, and the weight of inaction when history demands a choice.
Is Cyclops based on a novel?
Yes — Cyclops is adapted from Ranko Marinković's landmark Croatian novel Kiklop, first published in 1965. The book is considered one of the masterpieces of Yugoslav literature, and Vrdoljak's film is widely regarded as a faithful and artistically ambitious screen translation of its themes.
Where can you watch Cyclops online?
You can check current streaming and viewing options for Cyclops on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Options may include rental, purchase, or streaming depending on where you are located.
Who are the main actors in Cyclops?
The film features a remarkable ensemble of Yugoslav cinema's finest talents. Frano Lasić leads as Melkior Tresić, with Ljuba Tadić, Rade Šerbedžija, Mira Furlan, Relja Bašić, Mustafa Nadarević, and Boris Dvornik rounding out a cast that reads like a who's who of the era's stage and screen.
What makes Cyclops significant in Yugoslav cinema?
Cyclops stands as one of the most ambitious Yugoslav literary adaptations ever filmed. Its sprawling portrait of Zagreb's intelligentsia on the eve of occupation captures both intimate human drama and the broader tragedy of a society sleepwalking into catastrophe — a theme that resonated deeply with audiences across the region.
Who directed Cyclops and what else did he make?
Antun Vrdoljak directed Cyclops, and he was one of the most respected figures in Croatian film and television. Known for tackling major literary works and historical subjects, he also had a distinguished acting career, making him a rare dual talent in Yugoslav cinema.
How long is the film Cyclops?
Cyclops runs for 138 minutes — just over two hours and fifteen minutes. That generous runtime gives the film room to breathe and fully inhabit Marinković's richly layered world, developing its characters and the suffocating atmosphere of pre-war Zagreb with considerable depth.
What similar films would fans of Cyclops enjoy?
If Cyclops resonates with you, films like Schindler's List, The Thin Red Line, and The Monuments Men explore comparable wartime moral terrain. For more literary European drama, Barry Lyndon and Midnight Cowboy share that same sense of a flawed protagonist adrift in a world beyond their control.
More About Cyclops
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