delia-rudiger "Torn from the Flag" is one of the best documentaries we've ever seen. It is beautifully composed, and the history of the Hungarian revolution is compelling both for Hungary itself and for the world. We in the U.S. may think we know the complexities of the pre-revolution situation in Hungary but we don't (most of us, anyway). The film creates intense viewer involvement with testimonies from various participants, not all of whom agree on the causes and solutions to the problems that Hungary faced. The film is never slow; the drama of the situation and the beautifully-composed visuals produce intense viewer involvement. We hope that this documentary will be more-widely shown, both because it is a great experience in itself and because it can teach us much about current international crises. A really masterful achievement!

bklyn-boylan The subject (Hungarian Uprising of 1956), which has been unjustly neglected, is well worth filming and I learned things I hadn't known before or had forgotten. The movie itself is obviously the director's first feature, and as such it has both the flaws of a first feature and the promise of a director who has the main principle right: find a good story, especially one that has not been filmed before. One problem is that there is too much time devoted to talking heads, which got a bit boring, at least for me. The director might have used more of the talk (reminiscences and analysis) as voice-overs while showing archival footage, much of which is excellent. That could have tightened the film, which needed greater variety of pace and a sense of build-up. That said, I'm glad I saw it and I recommend it. It's good and worth seeing, but don't expect a masterpiece. Some of the comments about it are from the heart and draw on personal memories and more intimate (family?) knowledge of the events. I can't and don't argue with that, for this is valid. I write as someone not of Hungarian descent who is interested in the subject and in films. I wanted to like it more than I actually did, though I did.

MATT BRENNAN I have seen many documentaries and films in my life, but never one that holds my attention quite like this wonderful film. As a boy, I followed events in Hungary in 1956, but never had a clear view of the sequence of events, or how the Hungarian Revolution played on the world stage. This movie is Michener's famous book about the Hungarian Revolution,"The Bridge at Andau," on steroids. The carefully conducted interviews give the film a human dimension. The in-depth historical commentary on the post-World War Two Hungarian police state and later Soviet duplicity, the role of Radio Free Europe and the diversion caused by an ill-timed French-British-Israeli seizure of the Suez Canal, leaves the viewer enthralled. The extensive documentary footage interwoven throughout puts it all in context.People at my screening hated to see the film end. They sat in place, eyes riveted to the screen as credits rolled. This is a well-documented, well-researched movie. Everyone should have the opportunity to view it.Thanks so much for making it.Matt

vanoffel Torn from the Flag is a true eye-opener on international policies. It gives you a very thorough understanding of the history surrounding the Cold War Era and the ideology of communism with touching and moving testimonies from several interesting interviewees. It shows us the unforeseen consequences of Western good intent and propaganda espousing democracy and freedom without the necessary follow-through - like our current situation in the Middle East. Director Klaudia Kovacs' courageous and exciting film examines these important matters through her young, compassionate, non-judgmental, brilliant eye. I highly recommend it to all viewers interested in international, social, and/or human-rights issues.