The Return of the Prodigal Son (Awdat El-Ibn El-Dal)

Catalogue Code

FILM000084

Synopsis

Freely adapted from the novel by Andre Gide, this fascinating and highly-stylized musical tragedy is yet another of Chahine’s moving parables set between the Arab-Israeli wars.

After being imprisoned for political activism for more than a decade, Ali is finally allowed to return to his village home. His family eagerly awaits his arrival, hoping that he will be the one person who dares to stand up against his corrupt elder brother’s ruthless tyranny.

But when Ali is reunited with his family, they hardly recognize him. Prison has so thoroughly crushed his youth and idealism that he now allies himself with the oppressor—yet he remains their only hope.

Year of Release

1976

Running Time

120 mins

Distributor

Arab Film Distribution

EIDR

Genres

Musical, Tragedy, Romance

Language

Arabic,

Country of Origin

Egypt

Permalink

http://arabcinemadb.alc.manchester.ac.uk/Public/Film/Show/FILM000084

Notes

People with a connection to this film

Mahmoud El-Meliguy (Actor)Magda El-Roumy (Actor)Soheir El-Morchdy (Actor)Ragaa Hussein (Actor)Youssef Chahine (Director)

Publications related to this film

Ibrahim Fawal (2002) Malek Khouri (2010) Maureen Kiernan (1995)

Copies in the collection

DVD ARA/FIL/0084 Subtitles: English

Record from the Contemporary Arab Cinema Database

Last modified on 24/01/2014 17:35