The Bandit

Baran, just released from a 35 year prison stretch, comes back into a world that's moved on without him. His motive is clear vengeance against the old friend who betrayed him and stole the woman he loved. He partners with Cumali, a restless young man with his own demons, hoping the partnership will help them both survive a city that has changed around them. The story follows their bond as they thread through streets, wary glances, and the pull of past loyalties. The city glows with nights and rain slick alleys where whispers travel and every lead pulls Baran deeper into trouble. Time and circumstance press in, testing Baran's restraint and Cumali's street smarts as they chase a dangerous reckoning.

Released in 1996 and directed by Yavuz Turgul, The Bandit is a landmark in Turkish cinema. It stars Şener Şen as Baran and Uğur Yücel as Cumali, anchoring the gritty action with strong performances that resonated beyond local audiences worldwide.

Over the years The Bandit has recast the Turkish crime drama, turning Şener Şen into a defining icon and inspiring a wave of successors who blend grit with neighborhood loyalties. It is still cited as a catalyst for Turkish noir. Its influence lingers in memory long after the final frame.

Critics have greeted the film as sharp and human, balancing vengeance with mercy, and examining loyalty, friendship, and the cost of crime in a changing city. It holds a 7.317 out of 10 rating from 347 votes. The tone is cool rather than sensational, with moral lines that stay gray.

Box office details are not readily published, so precise worldwide gross for The Bandit isn't available in the provided data. Still, the film's enduring reputation keeps it central in discussions of Turkish cinema's evolution, and its influence extends beyond borders.