Before he died in July, Hungarian-born cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs ("Easy Rider," "Paper Moon," "Shampoo") helped to shoot "Torn From the Flag," a stirring documentary about the turmoil in his homeland that climaxed in the revolution of 1956. [Torn from the Flag is] an astute reminiscence of that turbulent era, perhaps the most comprehensive chronicle of the Hungarian uprising yet caught on film.

Although there are a lot of talking heads in the film, their stories are so vivid and their perspectives so varied that the film never bogs down. The editing by Stephanie Hubbard smoothly intercuts these personal testimonials with footage shot in 1956. This is a lively piece of history, put together with a good deal of technical skill as well as unmistakable passion

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Bottom Line: Definitive docu of 1956