IMDb 6.3 1978 HD

King of the Gypsies

King of the Gypsies

1978
Drama
112 min R USA
5.619 / 10
6.3 IMDB

Zharko, leader of the Romanis in NYC, passes his position of leadership on to his unwilling grandson, Dave, leading to infighting between Dave and his father.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Frank Pierson / Kay Chapin / Alan Hopkins
Starring
Sterling Hayden / Shelley Winters / Susan Sarandon / Judd Hirsch / Eric Roberts / Brooke Shields / Annette O'Toole / Annie Potts

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

powerful intense familial traditional rebellious conflicted dramatic compelling character-driven generational engaging raw

Reviews

G
Genevieve Dubois
May 24, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

This 1978 film, 'King of the Gypsies', offers a compelling look at the burdens of leadership and the fracturing of family ties. The plot, centred on Zharko's decision to anoint his grandson Dave as his successor, sparks a…

A
Alistair Finch
May 24, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A true hidden gem, 'King of the Gypsies' is a powerful study of tradition clashing with individual desire. The film excels in its portrayal of a Romani family grappling with succession, where the patriarch Zharko's decree ignites a…

P
Penelope Davies
May 24, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

'King of the Gypsies' presents a potent, character-focused narrative about the weight of legacy. The story of Zharko's choice to make his grandson Dave the next leader, much to Dave's dismay and his father's chagrin, fuels a gripping…

M
Marcus Thorne
May 24, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This 1978 drama, 'King of the Gypsies', is a fascinating delve into the heart of a Romani family's power struggles. The central premise of a patriarch passing his mantle to an unwilling heir is ripe for conflict, and…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 24, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Director Unknown's 'King of the Gypsies' offers a compelling, if sometimes uneven, exploration of familial duty and cultural succession. The narrative, focusing on Zharko's decision to pass leadership to his reluctant grandson Dave, provides a potent dramatic engine.…

FAQs

Eric Roberts' role as Dave, the unwilling heir to Romani leadership, is a significant early showcase for his acting talent. The character's internal struggle against destiny and family expectations provides a compelling arc. Roberts' performance likely captures the turmoil of a young man torn between his heritage and his personal desires. This film served as a notable stepping stone in his career, demonstrating his capacity for portraying complex, conflicted individuals and drawing audience attention to his burgeoning presence in cinema.