The Gypsy Baron (1935 film)

The Gypsy Baron (German: Zigeunerbaron) is a 1935 German operetta film directed by Karl Hartl. It is based on the operetta of the same name by Johann Strauss II, which in turn is based on the novel Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron) by Mór Jókai. The film stars Anton Walbrook, Karl Valentin, and Fanny Elssler.

The plot generally follows the operetta, concerning a young man, Sandor Barinkay, who returns to his ancestral lands in Austria-Hungary to claim his inheritance. He finds the land occupied by gypsies and encounters Saffi, a beautiful gypsy girl who is believed to possess supernatural powers. Barinkay falls in love with Saffi, and together they uncover a hidden treasure. Complications arise from their different social backgrounds and from the machinations of other characters vying for the treasure and Barinkay's lands. Ultimately, social barriers are overcome, the treasure is recovered, and Barinkay and Saffi are united.

The film is notable for its lavish production values, popular actors, and adaptation of a beloved operetta. Like many German films of the era, it was used as a form of entertainment that subtly reflected the nationalistic sentiments of the time, although overt propaganda was not the primary focus.