A Mess in the House (1980)
A tense Yugoslav war drama set in Nazi-occupied Zagreb, where a stolen baby ignites a dangerous cat-and-mouse struggle between resistance and police.
A Mess in the House - Movie Information
A Mess in the House - Plot
Zagreb in 1942. The police blocks one of the houses while looking for one of the communist officials hiding in the apartment of a young female illegal fighter. The two manage to escape, however police kills her husband. In the house, her small baby is left, which police wants to use as a bait so they could catch them. Children who live in the neighborhood steal the baby, upon which the police starts a thorough search of the house.
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A Mess in the House - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ljubiša Ristić
Main Cast
- Inge Appelt
- Ena Begović
- Janez Bermez
- Miljenko Brlečić
- Ratko Buljan
- Antonija Ćutić
- Petar Dobrić
- Boris Festini
- Zdenka Heršak
- Igor Kovačević
Writers
- Ljubiša Ristić
- Nermina Ferizbegović
- Lazar Stojanović
- Nada Kokotović
A Mess in the House - FAQs
What is A Mess in the House about?
Set in Nazi-occupied Zagreb in 1942, the film follows a police blockade of a residential building as officers hunt a communist official. When a young resistance fighter and the official escape, they leave behind a baby that police plan to use as bait — until neighborhood children steal the infant and upend the entire operation.
Does A Mess in the House have a happy ending?
The film carries the weight of wartime tragedy throughout. While the children's act of stealing the baby introduces a note of defiant humanity, the story doesn't shy away from the brutal cost of occupation — the young woman's husband is killed early on, setting a somber tone that persists to the end.
Why do the children steal the baby in the film?
The children act instinctively to protect the infant rather than let it be used as a police trap. Their intervention is both an act of innocence and quiet resistance, and it becomes the catalyst that throws the entire police operation into chaos, driving much of the film's tension.
Where can you watch A Mess in the House?
You can check current streaming and viewing options for A Mess in the House on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. As a 1980 Yugoslav production, availability may be limited, so JustWatch is the best place to find any digital or rental options.
Who directed A Mess in the House?
The film was directed by Ljubiša Ristić, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Nermina Ferizbegović, Lazar Stojanović, and Nada Kokotović. Ristić was a notable figure in Yugoslav theater and film, known for politically engaged, socially charged work.
Is A Mess in the House based on a true story?
While the film is not based on a single documented event, it draws on the very real historical context of the Nazi occupation of Zagreb during World War II and the Yugoslav communist resistance movement. The scenario reflects genuine dangers faced by resistance fighters and civilians living under occupation.
What are some films similar to A Mess in the House?
If you enjoyed this film, you might also like Waiting for Anya (2020), Irena's Vow (2024), The Scarlet and the Black (1983), and The Secret of Santa Vittoria (1970). All explore wartime resistance, moral courage, and civilian life under occupation with a similar dramatic intensity.
Who are the main actors in A Mess in the House?
The cast features Inge Appelt as Pavica Bezjak, Ena Begović as Maja Benić, Janez Bermez as Mihovil Bezjak, Petar Dobrić as Blaž Šoštarić, and Zdenka Heršak as Heda Perak, among others. The ensemble brings together experienced Yugoslav actors in a tightly wound wartime drama.
More About A Mess in the House
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