This October, audiences will be transported back to the era of the Mongol invasion as cinemas debut the big-budget Hungarian film 1242 – Gateway to the West.
International cast in Gateway to the West
1242 – Gateway to the West is a truly international endeavour, co-produced by Hungary, the UK, Mongolia and Australia. The film boasts a star-studded international cast, including Hollywood veteran Eric Roberts, the tough-guy icon Michael Ironside, and British actor Neil Stuke, all contributing to the film’s dramatic arc.
Particular attention surrounds Ray Stevenson, who sadly passed away in 2023 at the age of 58 and did not live to see the movie premiere. His portrayal of Cardinal Cesareani, the papal legate representing Christian Europe in Hungary, is remembered as one of the final roles of his career.
Among the Hungarian actors, László Mátray takes a leading role as King Béla IV, the monarch credited with spearheading reconstruction and initiating a castle-building programme in the aftermath of the Mongol invasion. On the opposing side is András Stohl, who portrays a merciless Cuman mercenary — a character designed to highlight the darker facets of this tumultuous period.
Hungarian historical film industry on the rise
In recent years, there has been a noticeable surge in Hungarian films and series exploring historical themes, driven largely by increasing state support for the genre. The National Film Institute, for instance, has channelled billions of forints into historical productions.
This funding has made large-scale projects like the Aranybulla and the Hunyadi series — which debuted in 2024 — possible. Similarly, cinemas have seen high-budget ventures such as Hadik, which recounts János Móga’s legendary adventures in Berlin as a hussar officer.
Without generous state backing, such productions would hardly have come to fruition. However, this level of funding has drawn criticism, with some arguing that the emphasis on historical films creates a competitive disadvantage for smaller, independent filmmakers who receive little or no public funding.
The budget for 1242 – Gateway to the West exceeded 3.7 billion forints, with 2.5 billion provided by the National Film Institute. This places it among the most expensive Hungarian films ever made. A significant portion of the expenditure went towards securing international talent, staging large-scale battle scenes, and constructing authentic historical sets and locations.
Why the Mongol invasion blockbuster was years in the making
The film’s development faced numerous delays, with production setbacks throughout the process. Although shooting wrapped in February 2023, the release was postponed multiple times. Contributing factors included the pandemic, financial difficulties, and the unexpected death of key cast member Ray Stevenson in May 2023. All of this resulted in a significant delay from the originally intended premiere date.
1242 – Gateway to the West, after lengthy preparations and several postponements, will finally arrive in cinemas in October. Its large budget, international cast, and visually striking historical narrative make it one of the most anticipated Hungarian movie releases.
The trailer is already available on the film’s official website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. For exclusive content including behind-the-scenes footage, cast introductions and historical insights, fans are encouraged to follow these platforms.
The premiere is set for 2 October 2025.
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