Is The Condemned Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1977)

🎬 The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Debuting in 1977, The Condemned represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Drama category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Asgar and Qader have been friends since childhood. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Asgar and Qader have been friends since childhood. Hussein General, a man of bad character who leads the local teenagers in a fight with the teenagers of Qala Sangi neighborhood, has dedicated his life to their happiness. Asgar and Qader both loved Zainab; but Zainab is married to Asgar. Asgar, who is suspicious of his wife's affairs, constantly annoys Hussein General and Qader. One day, while picking date clusters from a palm tree, while thinking about his wife's relationship with Qader, he falls from the top of the palm tree and loses his sight. Zainab and Qader take care of him; but Asgar's sense of pessimism and suspicion towards his wife and Qader increases. Asgar drags Qader to the palm grove and while he is praying, he cuts him to pieces with a turban and throws his body into the sea. General Hussein, who witnesses the incident, informs Zeinab; but he, unable to allay his wife's insane suspicion, kindly invites the local waterman to his house for lunch."

🎭 Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Ezzatollah Entezami does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Hadi Saber is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 106 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

🤔 Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is The Condemned truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Drama, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

⚖️ Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, The Condemned explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 1977 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Hadi Saber respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

🏆 Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, The Condemned is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Ezzatollah Entezami or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, The Condemned is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.