The Valley (1968)

A Hungarian drama from 1968 in which five deserters seek refuge in a village inhabited solely by women.

The Valley - Movie Information

  • Original Title: A völgy
  • Release Year: 1968
  • Directed by: Tamás Rényi
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Drama
  • Runtime: 1h 41m
  • Original Language: Hungarian
  • Spoken Languages: Hungarian
  • Release Date (Theatrical): February 8, 1968 (Hungary)
  • Production Companies: Mafilm
  • Production Countries: Hungary

The Valley - Plot

Five deserters hide in a village inhabited only by women.

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The Valley - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Tamás Rényi

Main Cast

  • András Ambrus
  • István Avar
  • György Bárdy
  • Dajka Margit
  • Mária Gór Nagy
  • Endre Hajdú
  • Sándor Horváth
  • Magda Kohut
  • János Koltai
  • Gábor Koncz

Writers

  • Gyula Hernádi

The Valley - FAQs

What is The Valley about?

The Valley follows five military deserters who take refuge in a remote Hungarian village where only women remain. The film explores the tension, desire, and moral conflict that arise when these men disrupt the fragile world the women have built in isolation, raising questions about power, survival, and human nature.

Who directed The Valley?

The Valley was directed by Tamás Rényi, a Hungarian filmmaker. The film was produced by Mafilm and released in Hungary on February 8, 1968. It stands as a notable example of Hungarian cinema from the late 1960s, blending social allegory with intimate dramatic storytelling.

Who are the main actors in The Valley?

The cast includes András Ambrus, István Avar as Zoltán, György Bárdy as György, Dajka Margit as Anna néni, Magda Kohut as Edit, János Koltai as Iván, and Gábor Koncz as Gábor. The ensemble brings together some of the most respected Hungarian stage and screen performers of the era.

When was The Valley released?

The Valley had its Hungarian theatrical release on February 8, 1968. Produced by Mafilm, it emerged during a particularly fertile period for Hungarian cinema, when filmmakers were pushing creative and thematic boundaries within the constraints of the era's cultural landscape.

What themes does The Valley explore?

At its heart, The Valley examines what happens when two worlds collide — the self-sufficient community women have created in the absence of men, and the disruptive presence of deserters fleeing war. Themes of gender dynamics, isolation, moral ambiguity, and the fragility of social order run throughout the film.

What genre is The Valley?

The Valley is a drama. Rooted in the Hungarian filmmaking tradition of the 1960s, it uses a deceptively simple premise — five deserters in a women-only village — to explore complex social and psychological territory, making it much more than a conventional wartime story.

How long is The Valley?

The Valley runs for 101 minutes, or about 1 hour and 41 minutes. That runtime gives director Tamás Rényi enough space to develop the uneasy relationships between the deserters and the village women at a measured, deliberate pace that suits the film's contemplative tone.

What are some movies similar to The Valley?

If The Valley appeals to you, consider exploring Satantango (1994), The Sweet Hereafter (1997), Local Hero (1983), God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya (2019), and Evil Does Not Exist (2023). These films share a similar interest in isolated communities, moral complexity, and the quiet tensions of human coexistence.

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