Like most of the Turks, I have watched this film lots of times, and each time I still could find it entertaining, funny and touching... It very much deserves the high ratings, however, as many others have already noted down, comedy is not universal. Thus the movie may not mean so much to other nationalities and the rating may lead to wrong impressions/expectations. There seems no solution to this rating problem, but maybe the source of the rating could somehow be noted down somewhere... In this way the visitor will be able to see that (1) it is a masterpiece of Turkish cinema (due to high rating) (2) It has only been watched and rated by mostly Turkish people so far (due to source of rating). In time more people from all over the world might have opportunity to watch and rate this film and we can finally have a "universal" rating for it.
72 Reviews
You can call a movie a classic, if you can watch it over and over again and not get bored..
eilgin7 June 2002
Hababam Sýnýfý (Hababam Class)is a great comedy which reflects as the best example of 'the marvelous era of 70's comedies' of the Turkish cinema. It is about a class of highschool students in a private school. Their school tuition are paid by their ignorant parents who think that's all for them to get prepared for life. The students bond each other as a family. They are lazy, ignorant, funny and the worst nightmare of their teachers. Adile Ana (ana=mother) who is the attendant in the school is like their own mother and she accepts them as real sons.
Their kingdom over the school is challenged when a new principal (Munir Ozkul) comes. He doesn't have a family (says he didn't have time to found one while dealing with others education), and plays a role of though, disciplined, but deep inside a warm hearted teacher and principle.
The movie is full of hilariously funny scenes of the students' adventures between themselves, their teachers, other students and of course the principle who declared a war on them to get them disciplined.
It is funny but also a touchy film when they found the 'father' figure they lost in the principle.
There is one thing we should mention about the plot; the movie reflects the Turkish culture. Therefore there are not brutal gang members in the class terrorizing teachers and the school. They are just playing innocent jokes on everybody not harming anybody but their own future. They are still respectful to the elderly and teachers.
It is a great movie.
Their kingdom over the school is challenged when a new principal (Munir Ozkul) comes. He doesn't have a family (says he didn't have time to found one while dealing with others education), and plays a role of though, disciplined, but deep inside a warm hearted teacher and principle.
The movie is full of hilariously funny scenes of the students' adventures between themselves, their teachers, other students and of course the principle who declared a war on them to get them disciplined.
It is funny but also a touchy film when they found the 'father' figure they lost in the principle.
There is one thing we should mention about the plot; the movie reflects the Turkish culture. Therefore there are not brutal gang members in the class terrorizing teachers and the school. They are just playing innocent jokes on everybody not harming anybody but their own future. They are still respectful to the elderly and teachers.
It is a great movie.
lost in translation
profdrzihnisinir13 May 2006
This is a great comedy but obviously a typical American won't laugh as much as a Turkish person. Kemal Sunal and his classmates play it in the same tradition like Jerry Lewis and Charlie Chaplin. I showed the movie to an American friend, and with some translation, he laughed and enjoyed it, too. So, it is normal for Turks to give it a 10 rating, and non-turks to give a 7.3, and the difference is due to something lost in the translation! The other thing is, the Turks don't laugh at actually what the characters are saying, but HOW they are saying... The facial expressions, the accent, body language.. all contribute... So you have to live for a while in Turkey to fully appreciate this movie...
The best comedy I've ever witnessed.
selimkuris8 February 2003
When you watch Hababam Sinifi you can not get yourself out from feeling the good old high school ages that you have had. It has lots of school moments that we have all shared which we sometimes still remember and wish that we could still turn back the time and live those years again and again.
The movie keeps us remembering the whole funny situations that we were in, during those years; various ways of cheating exams, running out of class with kinds of funny excuses just to go and watch the final matches, smoking in the toilets during the break-time and so on... Of course the movie gives great lessons against these behaivors with the help of one character which lead the whole "Hababam Sinifi" series. Mahmut Hodja. His moral values and commitment to his students had us all get wet eyes during this comedy. But of course not only him, the whole cast had his own different character profiles. Body Ekrem (which was played by "The Extraoridnary" Sener Sen), Inek Saban, Guduk Necmi, Hafize Ana etc. But of course non of these characters could come to life without the great observations of the fabulous director, Ertem Egilmez (may he rest in peace). During his entire directing career he always made his movies like a mirror holding through the audience and had them to watch themselves in the movies and I can say that Hababam Sinifi is one of his greatest works. Speaking for myself, I must admit that this is my favorite movie of all time and even the movie is played on TV a million times, I never get bored seeing it again and again. I guess none of you would either...
The movie keeps us remembering the whole funny situations that we were in, during those years; various ways of cheating exams, running out of class with kinds of funny excuses just to go and watch the final matches, smoking in the toilets during the break-time and so on... Of course the movie gives great lessons against these behaivors with the help of one character which lead the whole "Hababam Sinifi" series. Mahmut Hodja. His moral values and commitment to his students had us all get wet eyes during this comedy. But of course not only him, the whole cast had his own different character profiles. Body Ekrem (which was played by "The Extraoridnary" Sener Sen), Inek Saban, Guduk Necmi, Hafize Ana etc. But of course non of these characters could come to life without the great observations of the fabulous director, Ertem Egilmez (may he rest in peace). During his entire directing career he always made his movies like a mirror holding through the audience and had them to watch themselves in the movies and I can say that Hababam Sinifi is one of his greatest works. Speaking for myself, I must admit that this is my favorite movie of all time and even the movie is played on TV a million times, I never get bored seeing it again and again. I guess none of you would either...
perfect
kazim_genc15 March 2005
Hababam Sinifi is adopted from a novel by . Turkey's one of the most popular artists like Kemal Sunal, Sener Sen, Munir Ozkul, Halit Akcatepe, Adile Nasit, Tarik Akan, Sevket Altug, Perran Kutman played in all series. It's been on Turkish TV channels over and over again and still get high ratings. The whole series is a classic, the best parts go around "Güdük" Necmi and "Inek" Saban. Sener Sen is also great as the gym teacher "Badi" Ekrem. One of the greatest figures of Turkish cinema Münir Özkul and Adile Nasit take their parts as "Kel" Mahmut and Hafize Ana. Adile Nasit with her famous giggling draws a mother figure for the students... Anyways, I wonder if it was released in other countries but if you're Turkish you've already seen it a million times and would watch it again if there is nothing else on TV :)
this is a classic...
fason7615 March 2005
This is the one and only film on the world that is shown once a week on different channels and still gets more rating than those idiot reality shows.
I know at least ten people who refuse to go out with our group of friends in the evenings this film is shown.
"Hababam Sinifi", the movie was so successful that a five-film series was produced right after the first.
Hababam Sinifi Tatilde - Ertem Egilmez (hababam class on vacation) Hababam Sinifi Uyaniyor - Ertem Egilmez (hababam class getting up) Hababam git Hababam gel - Aram Gulyuz (hababam come'n'go) Hababam Sinifi Dokuz Doguruyor - Kartal Tibet (hababam class hard times) Hababam Sinifi Gule Gule - Ertem Egilmez (hababam class bye farewell)
In year 2003, new producers gathered a new group of actors and a giant budget to make a refreshing start for this amateur tasting old series; "Merhaba Hababam Sinifi (Hababam Class Hello)" was directed by Kartal Tibet.
In the following year (2004) "Hababam Sinifi Askerde (Hababam Class in the Army Now)" came after, directed by Ferdi Egilmez.
The last two modern Hababam Sinifi was plainly produced for fiscal expectations. The original movie and the following ones (all were produced at poor times of this country with tiny budgets and unknown young actors and actresses) were shown at least once a week on TV and though anybody has seen them at least 40 times already, these were still gathering people from different generations before the screen. The expectations were as the modern ones with giant budgets with well-known faces would gain more attention and make a good profit.
Nonetheless, these were unsuccessful to catch the amateur soul of the original ones.
I know at least ten people who refuse to go out with our group of friends in the evenings this film is shown.
"Hababam Sinifi", the movie was so successful that a five-film series was produced right after the first.
Hababam Sinifi Tatilde - Ertem Egilmez (hababam class on vacation) Hababam Sinifi Uyaniyor - Ertem Egilmez (hababam class getting up) Hababam git Hababam gel - Aram Gulyuz (hababam come'n'go) Hababam Sinifi Dokuz Doguruyor - Kartal Tibet (hababam class hard times) Hababam Sinifi Gule Gule - Ertem Egilmez (hababam class bye farewell)
In year 2003, new producers gathered a new group of actors and a giant budget to make a refreshing start for this amateur tasting old series; "Merhaba Hababam Sinifi (Hababam Class Hello)" was directed by Kartal Tibet.
In the following year (2004) "Hababam Sinifi Askerde (Hababam Class in the Army Now)" came after, directed by Ferdi Egilmez.
The last two modern Hababam Sinifi was plainly produced for fiscal expectations. The original movie and the following ones (all were produced at poor times of this country with tiny budgets and unknown young actors and actresses) were shown at least once a week on TV and though anybody has seen them at least 40 times already, these were still gathering people from different generations before the screen. The expectations were as the modern ones with giant budgets with well-known faces would gain more attention and make a good profit.
Nonetheless, these were unsuccessful to catch the amateur soul of the original ones.
Great Fun!
lektem14 November 2001
"Hababam" is a never-aging movie. I just watched it again last night (I don't remember how many times I watched it!) and I was on my knees, laughing with tears in my eyes. Sener Sen, Munir Ozkul, Adile Nasit, Kemal Sunal (Only Ozkul and Sen alive today) are among the greatest comedians in Turkish cinema and watching them in the same movie is undescribable joy! Movie's passing into a sadder region makes the onlooker feel that this is life itself. Before recovering a laugh coma the onlooker enters a sad valley. The original score is a great helper in these transitions. Composer Melih Kibar created one of his best works for Hababam Sinifi.
To sum up, Hababam Sinifi is like a drug when you feel gloomy, blue, sad. You can cheer up within minutes if you sit and watch it.
To sum up, Hababam Sinifi is like a drug when you feel gloomy, blue, sad. You can cheer up within minutes if you sit and watch it.
Hababam Sinifi is a great, funny movie...
pirateferit23 May 2005
Hababam Sinifi is a great, funny movie... All Turkish people love this movie.Movie's favorite character is Kemal Sunal(Inek Saban)(Cow Saban) He was an important actor(comedian) in Turkish Cinema. Also in this movie we can see famous comedians together.Watching them is really a great fun. This movie was created in 1975 but still watched and laughed by everybody. Hababam Sinifi is the first movie of this series.Later the directors created "Hababam Sinifi Sinifta Kaldi" "Hababam Sinifi Uyaniyor" and etc. At last I wanna say that everybody should watch this movie.
Have fun!
Have fun!
Classic
MikeFX14 August 2001
This classic Turkish film (although some might wonder at this mainstream movie being called a film) is etched permanently into the psyche of Turkish culture. It's such a shame that there's no kind of film preservation society in Turkey. No One realizes that this film is going to disappear within the next decade or two. If I'm ever successful I've made a promise to my childhood that I'll find a good print of this film and put efforts forward to restore it and preserve it in various formats so that my kids and their kids can one day see it.
Must be seen!!
tyfn1622 June 2005
I think this movie must be translated in all languages on the world. Fabulous comedy from the great director of Turkish cinema. Many of excellent actors are also together in this movie. It is the film which is seen by all Turkish people at least once. This great comedy must be seen by all people in the world. It is even better than all other films in the world which is launched as comedy. There are jokes on all scenes of the movie. Especially, one of the main character's of the movie Kemal Sunal has a great performance. You cannot make anything other then laugh, laugh and laugh. Watch and be full of fun. It is directed in 1975.
Must watch!!
gzd-4229327 March 2020
This is strictly a Turkish film that only Turks will understand. Do not even consider watching this. I totally mean it when I say this isn't for you.
bricslove14 August 2017
You will be lost in translation. But that's not the real problem here. Even the thought of trying to explain why Turks love this so much gives me a headache. There is no way.
Brotherhood, solidarity, togetherness, family, collectivism, naivete... picture the poverty with which the movie was shot spilling over into the screen and we Turks loving even that and the mistakes, too. The exaggeration and the stupidity in it. The real thing in the surreal. The 3d soul projected from caricature like 2d characters. That cheesy music we love so much belonging to a Turkey that is now long gone. The kind face of Munir Ozkul - the teacher, the father, the poor, the honest.
These guys, many of the stars in the movie had often been typecast to the point that they felt like an additional member of your family. You can see Saban's character in many other movies, for instance. You can see Munir Ozkul acting the same character in some other movie, the only distinction being his different name. So when this movie is on TV, Turks know what these guys are all about.
Still there is some intangible aspect to the culture I cannot explain and I won't try to.
This is about Turkishness. That is now long gone. Our expats watch this stuff when they miss their homeland. So this is not for you and don't let its high rating deceive you. This is worth a high rating, but only from our pov, for reasons we just cannot explain. Just don't watch it. It will be a huge disappointment for you.
Brotherhood, solidarity, togetherness, family, collectivism, naivete... picture the poverty with which the movie was shot spilling over into the screen and we Turks loving even that and the mistakes, too. The exaggeration and the stupidity in it. The real thing in the surreal. The 3d soul projected from caricature like 2d characters. That cheesy music we love so much belonging to a Turkey that is now long gone. The kind face of Munir Ozkul - the teacher, the father, the poor, the honest.
These guys, many of the stars in the movie had often been typecast to the point that they felt like an additional member of your family. You can see Saban's character in many other movies, for instance. You can see Munir Ozkul acting the same character in some other movie, the only distinction being his different name. So when this movie is on TV, Turks know what these guys are all about.
Still there is some intangible aspect to the culture I cannot explain and I won't try to.
This is about Turkishness. That is now long gone. Our expats watch this stuff when they miss their homeland. So this is not for you and don't let its high rating deceive you. This is worth a high rating, but only from our pov, for reasons we just cannot explain. Just don't watch it. It will be a huge disappointment for you.
Nothing special, not even a bit.
EVON1TY24 December 2019
In Turkey, bad words to this movie is almost requires pain of death. There is no really good Acting, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Makeup and Costume Design. And most importantly there is not really effective story in this movie. This is just a average comedy movie in our country. Nothing more. People watching the worlds worst comedy movies in this country. And positively all I can say is this movie is not one of them. But as I sad this movie is nothing more, nothing special.
For a Turkish audience
beyoglu26 October 2008
This is really a film for people living in Turkey or in Turkish culture. It's about as beloved in Turkey as Casablanca is in the US and it follows the tradition of the St. Trinian's films from the 1950's with naughty disruptive, but lovable high school kids. There's nothing new about the characters, the same basic ones that appear in films from most any culture. Think The Dead End Kids in the 70's. In the US, Welcome Back Kotter leaps to mind. Unfortunately time has not been kind to this film. The production values are pretty well dated, the soundtrack is off, splicing is a bit abrupt. If you don't know who the actors are and how famous it is, then you're missing 75% of the film. The film is about a group of students who have repeatedly failed their classes at a boarding school. There is the usual mother figure at the school and the strict disciplinarian who tried to install respect and dignity to the "kids." The actors appearing in the film are among the most famous in Turkey, but that doesn't do anything for the rest of the world unfortunately. The jokes also don't translate as many of them are word-plays on Turkish words and phrases. But for Turks, it is one of the most beloved films from the classic 70's Yesilcam Sinemasi period. Watch it with an open mind and for sociological interest. You'll see nothing that you haven't seen in your own country in 100 different films, but it's a insight into what Turks enjoy in their cinema. By the way Arsenal1988, there are just over 75 million people in Turkey, not over 100 million.
Excellent!
atillaozdel16 January 2021
Some user said that"stolen from BRATS SCHOOL" no way. It was based on the Rifat Ilgaz novel which was puplished 1957. It's a cultural movie. May be it's just for Turks. I love it. I don't know anyone who doesn't! Watched it over 50 time.
-SABAAAN
-NEEEEE. :)
Allah Rahmet eylesin..
For the cultural background
spactica21 September 2007
Well, here is a Turk who really think that it is funny.
Of course I knew that my opinion would be very biased and I was wondering if I could watch this with foreign friends. Maybe I shouldn't. But I still would watch it again and again and love it.
The loveliest thing about it, is its warmth and that it is in fact so naive. No cruelty, nor back-thoughts, pure friendship. Like walking in the streets of your hometown and without seeing the ugly parts. That is why it is so popular. Obviously not the most original movie that you can see. But it makes you feel at home and that they could all be someone from the family. My grandmother laughs at it, my father laughs at it and so do I.
Of course I knew that my opinion would be very biased and I was wondering if I could watch this with foreign friends. Maybe I shouldn't. But I still would watch it again and again and love it.
The loveliest thing about it, is its warmth and that it is in fact so naive. No cruelty, nor back-thoughts, pure friendship. Like walking in the streets of your hometown and without seeing the ugly parts. That is why it is so popular. Obviously not the most original movie that you can see. But it makes you feel at home and that they could all be someone from the family. My grandmother laughs at it, my father laughs at it and so do I.
The Legend of Turkish Comedy..
YilmazTurk28 June 2005
This film has been a revolution for Turkish comedy.. The jokes in this film is still being done and being laugh by people. One of the things that make this film number one is the reality of the players and the brotherhood of the cast. It has been played over million times on TV and been watched (and still being ) by at least 50 million of people. Its the best of the comedies i have ever been watched.. And it will be popular forever.. Only 3-5 of the cast still lives and they can see the effect of the film until today. It's the story of a true friendship of a very lazy students of a class. I also had read the original book and loved it too much..
i liked it
rypgibbons4 January 2019
just awesome .....
hilmand1 October 2015
When I saw Marathon Family rated over 9 so I watched and found it a piece of s**t that movie didn't even deserved to be rated 4 ... and then I saw "Hababam Sinifi " rated 9.5 so at first I thought that Turkish movies are just over-rated on IMDb and then I thought why don't give it a try n after that I have watched all of its parts ... and its just awesome ..... Specially the acting of "COw" =D and everyone have given his best for the movie... But I think this movie isn't that much famous as it deserves ....
The movie keeps us remembering the whole funny situations that we were in, during those years; various ways of cheating exams, running out of class with kinds of funny excuses just to go and watch the final matches, smoking in the toilets during the break-time and so on... Of course the movie gives great lessons against these behaivors with the help of one character which lead the whole "Hababam Sinifi" series. Mahmut Hodja. His moral values and commitment to his students had us all get wet eyes during this comedy.
The movie keeps us remembering the whole funny situations that we were in, during those years; various ways of cheating exams, running out of class with kinds of funny excuses just to go and watch the final matches, smoking in the toilets during the break-time and so on... Of course the movie gives great lessons against these behaivors with the help of one character which lead the whole "Hababam Sinifi" series. Mahmut Hodja. His moral values and commitment to his students had us all get wet eyes during this comedy.
The Best Movie Series Ever
arsenal19882 July 2005
this is definitely the best movie series ever to be created. obviously you have to be from a Turkish background to understand the jokes within, but still its in the hearts of every Turkish person ever; and thats over a 100 million people. everybody, from the little kids to the elderly know the series like the back of their hand and laugh at the jokes even after they have heard them millions of times.
i grew up with these series and have learned as well as laughed at all of them. i know that every Turkish person has also been the same.
Kemal Sunal is just a genius and it is a tragedy that he died before his time.
i grew up with these series and have learned as well as laughed at all of them. i know that every Turkish person has also been the same.
Kemal Sunal is just a genius and it is a tragedy that he died before his time.
one of the best film that express the Turkish culture
entropy19781 February 2005
This film was created in 1975, but it has been saving its popularity despite the changing of peoples' life style. No one can find any Turkish people who did not watch it over and over. I don't believe that there has been such a film watched more than hababam sinifi in all over the world.
what is the reason for a film to be watched and loved so much? in my opinion, this film reflects the real behavior of the Turkish people, that is, Turkish people see themselves while watching this film. the first three films of the hababam series were very successful. those films were honored by the Turkish public by watching them in cinemas for long period of times (i think 2 years without giving break)
however, it is difficult for a foreign person to understand how such a film is watched so many times. unfortunately, it is very difficult to enjoy this film if you feel yourself as a turk.
what is the reason for a film to be watched and loved so much? in my opinion, this film reflects the real behavior of the Turkish people, that is, Turkish people see themselves while watching this film. the first three films of the hababam series were very successful. those films were honored by the Turkish public by watching them in cinemas for long period of times (i think 2 years without giving break)
however, it is difficult for a foreign person to understand how such a film is watched so many times. unfortunately, it is very difficult to enjoy this film if you feel yourself as a turk.
A movie about friendship and love...
nazembay-5003419 May 2021
I am a Turk. But reason I like this movie is not my nationality. I would still love this movie if it was an American, Indian or European made. It is definetely not a basic comedy movie. If you watched it like a meaningless comedy movie which only aims to make audience laugh, then you watched it wrong. This movie is about an unconditional love between naughty but good hearted classmates of Chaos Class, Mahmut Hoca and one and only Hafize Ana. A true, warm and wild friendship between them. But they have a lot to learn from Mahmut Hoca who dedicated his life to teach young people that how to be a good man. Here is heartwarming story of Chaos Class... Mahmut Hoca represents good teachers who doing their job well. They create a generation filled with good humans. We need to pay our respects to teachers like him.
Kac kere izledim bilmiyorum
bydoktor10 February 2021
Shocking movie, perhaps better in Turkish?
christopherRclarke5 November 2014
OK, where to start with this one! Firstly I couldn't find it anywhere so I was lucky to discover it on a vimeo channel with English subtitles. Its a cross between a silly Hollywood film, a tele movie and a serious foreign film. Although the concepts of friendship and all-in-this- together-ness is strong in this film, it cannot be overlooked as poorly made with slapstick comedy.
I did give it a four/ten though for its age and attempt to make an interesting film and I somehow managed to get through it without turning it off. I have walked out of worse films!
Cc.
I did give it a four/ten though for its age and attempt to make an interesting film and I somehow managed to get through it without turning it off. I have walked out of worse films!
Cc.
This is a masterpiece and a gem in the collection of classical Turkish cinema!
kibrisli729 October 2004
With an all star cast, the film is based around the antics of a class of no hopers. The class is called "Hababam sinifi" which literally means class nonstop. The music is composed by Melih Kibar. It plays an important part of the film and shapes the mood from scene to scene. The music is one of my favourite things about any movie and Turkish films in my opinion are always very good at this. The same score is played in this film whether the scene is happy or sad but played slower and quicker with different instruments is a very effective way to touch the audience. In a way its the same as how the theme tune in the rocky film is the same melody. When played fast its inspiring and brings verve to the scene but when played slow we feel sorry for rocky.
The humour may not be understood to the fullest by viewers not Turkish speaking. But this film is truly timeless. The humour and whit may of set a standard in Turkish cinema for years after.
The humour may not be understood to the fullest by viewers not Turkish speaking. But this film is truly timeless. The humour and whit may of set a standard in Turkish cinema for years after.
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