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Sterling Hayden, Shelley Winters, Susan Sarandon, Eric Roberts, Brooke Shields ... see more see more... , Annette O'Toole , Annie Potts , Michael Vincente Gazzo , Danielle Brisebois , Roy Brocksmith , Lou Cevetillo , Frederick Coffin , Sam Coppola , Macintyre Dixon , Alice Drummond , William Duell , Julie Garfield , Michael Higgins , Judd Hirsch , Anthony Holland , Matthew Laborteaux , Patti LuPone , Linda Manz , Joe Maruzzo , Tom Mason , Bernie McInerney , Stephen Mendillo , Kathi Moss , Jay Norman , Antonia Rey , Martin Rosenblatt , David Rounds , Zvee Scooler , James Shannon , C.A.R. Smith , Paul Sparer , Marc Vahanian , Joe Zaloom , Stephane Grappelli , Mark Victor , Mary Louise Wilson , Rebecca Darke , Harris Laskaway , Tom Quinn , Scott Franklin , Robert Gerringer , Jon Oppenheim , Michael V. Gazzo

Not surprisingly, this fascinating dissection of Gypsy life in America was vilified by several ethnic special-interest groups, who'd previously delivered their mimeoed missives to novelist Peter Maas,... read more read more... on whose book the film was based. Sterling Hayden is the "king" of a New York-based gypsy tribe, who on his deathbed passes his crown to his reluctant grandson, Eric Roberts. Roberts' scuzzy father Judd Hirsch, envious that he's been passed over, begins plotting the demise of his own son. It appears at first that the boy, a thoroughly assimilated Manhattanite, would be more than willing to give up his invisible throne to Hirsch, but there's something about his heritage that always draws him back to his own people. Several genuine gypsies took part in the film as extras, bit players and technical advisers; reportedly, they also spent much of the shooting time trying to cadge a few dishonest dollars from cast and crew. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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56% liked it

575 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

5 critics

R, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Frank Pierson

Release Date: December 20, 1978

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DVD Release Date: June 3, 2008

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Stats: 23 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (23)

  • ajv2688
    January 6, 2011
    ajv2688
    An all-star cast for a boring drama, which fails to bring an interesting subject to life. This movie could have been good, I could tell, but something was holding it back, I'm not sure what, maybe it was the director?

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Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
January 27, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

King of the Gypsies is a fine wedding of craft and creativity. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Cole Smithey
November 1, 2005
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

No review available.

Michael Szymanski
October 7, 2005
Michael Szymanski, International Press Academy

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
June 17, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Daniel M. Kimmel
July 28, 2004
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

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