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RATING:  
SINGAPORE : Set against the backdrop of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution which resulted in the loss of over 5,000 lives, and some 200,000 people fleeing to the West, “Children of Glory” is a true story of how the Hungarian water polo team - at a time when the revolution was doomed - strove to win a moral victory in the pool against the Russians at the Melbourne Olympic Games.
Though only a small nation within the massive Soviet Bloc, Hungary is a superpower when it comes to water polo - its national team is invincible.
The film starts with the Hungarians suffering their first defeat in 1955 to the cheating Russians, because the referee in Moscow simply did not let them win. The team now brace themselves for a rematch due to take place at the Melbourne Games.
History, however, throws a major obstacle in team’s path, as Hungarian student protests spark off a sudden revolution against the Soviet regime in Budapest.
Karcsi, played by Ivan Fenyö who acted in English in “Jarhead”, is the star player of Hungary's water polo team. He falls for Viki (Kata Dobó), a beautiful student activist, and becomes embroiled in the demonstration that sparks the revolution. The revolution sweeps him off his feet and he leaves his team to fight for justice.
Produced by Andrew G Vajna (Terminator 3) and written by Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct), both of Hungarian descent, the 1956 revolution is a topic that is close to their hearts. For Vajna who left Hungary on December 6, the day the Hungarians defeated the Russians in a semi-final showdown at the Melbourne Games, 1956 was the most important turning point in his life, and he has been meaning to pay his respects to the memory of the revolution through film.
Majority of the scenes take place on the streets of Budapest and Vajna insisted that they be shot at their original locations, especially scenes of historical importance such as those at Kossuth Square and Bródy Sándor Street in front of the Radio building. These two locations are definitely on my must-see list when I travel to Budapest.
Director Krisztina Goda did a good job recreating the attempted revolution and uprising, capturing how thousands took to the streets before Soviet tanks arrived and razed the city.
Dobó who bears an uncanny resemblance to Hollywood actress Ashley Judd, put on a great performance, bringing to the screen a character who is tough as nails and full of love and passion for her country, while Fenyö’s character who came across as obnoxiousness at the beginning, won me over with his love for Viki.
I enjoy historical epics, and “Children of Glory” is particularly interesting as it involves sport, another love of mine. But as with all “war movies”, expect violence and gore as well as clichés like patriotic flag-waving and emotional anthem-singing.
Nevertheless, “Children of Glory” is a patriotic tribute to the thousands who died during the 1956 Hungarian revolution. I’m sure I will see Budapest in a different light when I visit the Hungarian capital again.
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