Before1990 when Hungary and Yugoslavia were under communist control (of one sort or another) they made some extraordinary movies about the 2nd World War and its aftermath. 'The Revolt of Job' is one such film from Hungary.
Other reviewers have eulogised about this movie, in particular its take on the plight of the Hungarian Jews during WW2. I don't disagree, but I think 'Elysium' (1986) also from Hungary presents the same subject matter, i.e. the personalised story of a European Jewish family during the war, but views it from a different and (in my view) more realistic perspective which outshines 'The Revolt of Job' at every level. Having said that this is still a great film and I don't want to take away from its impact as it has a strong story that's well told. Cinematography and acting are also of a high quality.
Middle aged Job and Roza are Jewish farmers in a rural farming community. Job obtains by barter a young boy from an orphanage. Their seven children all died young and Job and Roza want to be able to pass the farm on even if it is to an adopted son. They are aware of the dangers facing the Jews in a country under Nazi control, so they deliberately choose a gentile child to be their heir. The film follows their lives and blossoming relationships as the boy becomes used to Roza and Job and accepts them as his parents. Unfortunately, anyone with even a slight knowledge of 20th Century history will have some idea about whether Job and Roza's fears for their future would come true.
