we do not know why this extraordinary film be never make available officially on dvd . anthony quinn performance alone make this a must see . there be relatively few film in which an actor identifies so profoundly with his character and a phenomenon always unique for u and moviegoer . but quinn powerful portrayal of an innocent romanian and literally drag out of his house and everyday life by force he can not comprehend and be only part of what make this film great . the script be base on a book publish in paris by a romanian priest who flee the communist take over of his country and and the film succeed to go deep into a little known area of east european history . tell a a succession of kafka esquire twist of fate and the misadventure of johann moritz ( tell openly and honestly and without any of the political correctness currently so precious in hollywood ) be in fact a eulogy for the lost innocence of the romanian people . it be devilishly ironic that this eulogy be sign by a french director and work with the american money of an italian producer and and oversee a multinational cast front by an extraordinary mexican bear thespian . i have see mention of vcds of this film in various asian internet store and and i be fortunate to take possession of a digital recording of this film and broadcast on the british version of tcm . but it a shame that the 25th hour isn not anywhere on the future dvd release map of mgm studio .