Biyograficim
Köroğlu

Koroglu

Movie · 1945 · 5 people

Turkish cinema's Köroğlu was shot in black and white in 1945 and released on 6 May 1946. It mixes historical, adventure and drama elements in a heroic, epic tone. Shot on 35 mm, it is adapted from the work of Nizamettin Nazif Tepedelenlioğlu. Yüksel Film and Ses Film made it together, with Necip Erses as producer. Mümtaz Ener and Refik Kemal Arduman share the direction, from a screenplay by Muharrem Gürses.

The story begins with a cruel nobleman, the Bey of Bolu, who loves horses. His groom Yusuf Ağa finds him a plain-looking but dark grey horse. The Bey dislikes it, thinks the groom is mocking him, and has his eyes put out as punishment. After this injustice the saz-playing minstrel Ruşen Ali takes the name Köroğlu and declares war on the Bey. He gathers like-minded people into a band and stands with the oppressed. Mümtaz Ener plays Köroğlu, with Burhan Uskan doubling for him in dangerous scenes. Gülistan Güzey plays Gülizar; Hulusi Kentmen and Muammer Karaca also appear. The Bey sets out to catch both Köroğlu and the horse.

Sezer Sezin, Avni Dilligil, Haşim Evci, Kadri Ögelman and Nebile Teker also act. The cinematography was by Baha Gelenbevi, Cezmi Ar and Menasi Filmeridis; Muhittin Sadak coordinated the music and Mustafa Çağlar provided the songs.

DirectorMümtaz Ener, Refik Kemal Arduman
Production companyYüksel Film, Ses Film

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Cast

Mümtaz Ener Actor · died at 81 Gülistan Güzey Actor · died at 59 Hulusi Kentmen Hulusi Kentmen Actor · died at 82 Muammer Karaca Muammer Karaca Actor · died at 71 Muharrem Gürses Muharrem Gürses Actor · died at 85

Titles sharing this cast

Through different eyes

Yeşilçam Nostalgic A viewer raised on the classics, looking for warm storytelling and strong acting.

Köroğlu is a fine example of our early films that brought to the screen the folk hero who stands with the oppressed against a cruel lord. In black-and-white frames, Mümtaz Ener, who both directs and plays him, gives us a Köroğlu with saz and courage, just as we know him from the tales. Mustafa Çağlar's songs give the film a special warmth; the spirit of the epic breathes through the music. The story of a minstrel who rises up against injustice still touches the heart as a tale that has not lost its moral centre.

Family Viewer Asks whether the whole household can watch it; cares about humour and heart.

Köroğlu is a heroic tale of good standing up to evil that children grasp easily. With its folk songs and its horse, it has a fairy-tale feel. But early on there is a harsh punishment, the groom having his eyes put out, so it helps to prepare little ones for it. Being an old black-and-white film, some kids may get bored. A lovely choice to watch with the grandparents.

Cinephile Looks at script, editing and directing choices; keeps a distance from formula films.

Shot in 1945, Köroğlu is interesting as an early link in Turkish cinema's effort to adapt epic and folk storytelling for the screen. The shared direction by Mümtaz Ener and Refik Kemal Arduman, and three separate cinematographers, suggest a production that passed through several hands. Muharrem Gürses's script sets up a clear chain of cause and effect, from the Bey's cruelty to the birth of the hero. To today's eye the acting can look theatrical and the storytelling static in places, and the use of a double for the dangerous scenes is a reminder of the period's technical limits. Even so, with a narrative woven through folk songs, it feels like a herald of the historical adventure tradition that followed.

These are not reader reviews: they are short editorial takes written from different viewer perspectives with AI assistance. Reader reviews are below.

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