Másfél millió (1964)
A Hungarian comedy classic about an honest man, a devastating fire, a lucky lottery ticket, and the absurd battle to do the right thing.
Másfél millió - Movie Information
- Original Title: Másfél millió
- Release Year: 1964
- Directed by: György Palásthy
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Original Language: Hungarian
- Spoken Languages: Hungarian
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 29, 1964 (Hungary)
- Alternative Titles: Полтора миллиона (RU)
- Production Companies: Mafilm
- Production Countries: Hungary
Másfél millió - Plot
Mihai Toth worked for forty years as a watchman in a timber warehouse. On his last watch, there was a fire: the warehouse burned to the ground. The damage amounted to one and a half million forints. It was a terrible blow to Mihai, who had worked honestly all his life. Suddenly it turns out that Mihai has won one and a half million forints in a lottery. Wanting to save his good name, he wants to deposit this sum in the state treasury. But it turned out to be not so easy: the cause of the fire has not been established and Mihai's guilt has not been proved. That's why nobody had the right to take money from him. For a long time Mihai wandered from one institution to another with a request to accept money from him, but everything was in vain. Then the old man tried a trick...
Where to Watch Másfél millió
Looking for where to watch Másfél millió?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Másfél millió - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- György Palásthy
Main Cast
- Zoltán Makláry
- Manyi Kiss
- Ferenc Bessenyei
- László Márkus
- Hilda Gobbi
- Miklós Gábor
- Imre Sinkovits
- Gábor Agárdy
- István Avar
- Rita Békés
Writers
- László Tabi
- György Palásthy
Másfél millió - FAQs
What is Másfél millió about?
Másfél millió follows Mihai Toth, a devoted watchman who retires after a warehouse fire destroys one and a half million forints' worth of timber on his final shift. When he wins exactly that sum in the lottery, his conscience drives him to repay the state — only to discover that bureaucracy makes even generosity an uphill battle.
Why can't Mihai simply hand over the lottery winnings?
Because no official investigation ever proved Mihai was responsible for the fire, no institution has the legal authority to accept compensation from him. The result is a darkly comic loop: a man desperately trying to give away a fortune while a wall of bureaucratic rules keeps turning him away.
Who directed Másfél millió and who wrote it?
György Palásthy directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay alongside celebrated Hungarian humorist László Tabi. Palásthy also shares the writing credit, making this a tightly personal project that blends sharp social satire with warm, character-driven comedy.
Who stars in the film Másfél millió?
Zoltán Makláry leads the cast as the principled Tóth Mihály, supported by a stellar ensemble including Manyi Kiss, Ferenc Bessenyei, Hilda Gobbi, Imre Sinkovits, Miklós Gábor, László Márkus, Gábor Agárdy, István Avar, and Rita Békés — a who's who of mid-century Hungarian cinema.
What trick does Mihai try at the end?
After exhausting every official channel, the old man resorts to an unexpected scheme to force the state to take his money. The film keeps the details as a satisfying punchline, making the finale one of its most memorable and wryly funny moments.
Is Másfél millió a satire of bureaucracy?
Absolutely. The film uses its absurd premise — a man who cannot give money away — to skewer the rigid, self-defeating logic of institutional bureaucracy. It is a gentle yet pointed comedy that resonates far beyond its Hungarian setting, touching on universal frustrations with red tape and officialdom.
When and where was Másfél millió released?
The film premiered in Hungary on October 29, 1964, produced by Mafilm, the state film studio. It was also released in the Soviet Union under the Russian title Полтора миллиона, reflecting the cross-border appeal of its universally relatable comedic premise.
What are similar films to Másfél millió?
If you enjoy its lottery-and-conscience comedy, you might like 29th Street (1991), Easy Money (1983), or the more recent Jackpot! (2024). Each shares that same mix of unexpected windfalls and the complications that follow when ordinary people are suddenly handed extraordinary sums.
More About Másfél millió
Explore further details about Másfél millió on these trusted databases.