Late 19th century in Alexandria. Two traditionally rival Turkish families, "Seferoglu"s and "Tellioglu"s are competing for the "Green Valley". The winner will be determined by Daver Bey, who has a beautiful young daughter, Leyla. Both families try to arrange a marriage between a man from their family and Leyla, so that Daver Bey will be inclined to give the green valley to his "relatives". Tellioglus, who are behind in the race, desperately find a final solution: They will fake their idiotic butler, Saban, as the highest ranked Ottoman soldier in Egypt: Tosun Pasha.
Acting
Kemal Sunal's physical comedy is untouchable.
Writing
Ridiculous premise executed with razor-sharp wit.
Production
Evocative Alexandria setting on clearly limited budget.
Director
Kartal Tibet
Kemal Sunal
Şaban/Sahte Tosun Paşa
Şener Şen
Tellioğlu Lütfü
Müjde Ar
Leyla
Adile Naşit
Tellioğlu Adile
Ayşen Gruda
Tellioğlu Zekiye
Gunfer Feray
Tellioğlu Hatice
Zihni Göktay
Tellioğlu Ruhi
Ergin Orbey
Tellioğlu Vehbi
Akil Öztuna
Tellioğullarının Reisi Akil
İhsan Bilsev
Tellioğlu Mülayim
Tuncay Gürel
Tellioğlu Bekir (Küçük Enişte)
Sıtkı Akçatepe
Seferoğullarının Reisi Sıtkı
Hikmet Gül
Seferoğlu Rukiye
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Kemal Sunal became Turkey's most beloved comedian through 'Şaban' roles; this film cemented his everyman-underdog persona that defined 1970s Turkish cinema.
The 'Tosun Pasha' disguise spawned decades of Turkish pop culture references; even viewers who haven't seen the film recognize the fake-moustache-and-medals look.
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