Ervinka

Ervinka

Year: 1967

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: Hebrew

ComedyCrimeRomance

A good-natured but incorrigible layabout becomes embroiled in a plot to rob the Israeli lottery, all the while indulging in his boundless zeal for mischief and romance.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Ervinka (1967)

Trace every key event in Ervinka (1967) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ervinka's carefree con life in Tel Aviv

In the 1960s Tel Aviv, Ervinka ekes out a living as a petty con man, running scams to avoid real work. He charges parking fees on a lot that isn't his, steals electricity from neighbors, and freeloads at family events he isn't invited to, all while extorting money from movie directors by revving his moped near their sets. He also exploits bureaucrats and stays in the local underworld's orbit to stay ahead.

1960s Tel Aviv
2

Ruti, a police officer, enters his life

Ervinka falls in love with Ruti, a police officer who scrutinizes his lifestyle. She loves him, yet is appalled by his way of life and warns that he is on a slippery slope toward crime. Their contrasting worlds intensify the tension between desire and morality.

early 1960s Tel Aviv
3

A devilish plan to rob the lottery forms

Frustrated by never winning the lottery, Ervinka concocts a plan to rob the Tel Aviv lottery offices. He disguises the scheme as a movie project and enlists his underworld friends to crack the safe while spectators and police think a film director is at work.

planning phase Tel Aviv lottery offices
4

The film-set ruse begins

The men stage a faux film crew around the lottery offices, drawing a crowd and attracting the attention of the law, who are unaware the real goal is the safe. The ruse aims to distract everyone while the safe is breached. The spectators and officers watch as if it's cinema.

during filming Tel Aviv lottery offices
5

Police help on the job

When the underworld hits trouble opening the safe, a police volunteer steps in with his own expertise to keep filming on track. The line between law and crime blurs as everyone pretends it’s just a production. Ervinka thanks the helper and keeps the plan moving.

during the heist Tel Aviv lottery offices
6

The heist succeeds and money is taken

With timing precise, the group exits with the money seconds before the authorities realize what is happening. The money is tucked behind Ervinka's moped seat as the fake show continues around him. The crowd remains unaware that a real crime has just occurred.

moments after the take Tel Aviv lottery offices
7

Next week's jackpot fuels a dream

Holding the stolen windfalls, Ervinka believes he has finally realized his dream and won't have to rely on his wits anymore. The thrill is tempered by a nagging hope for a normal life. He plots how the windfall could change everything.

immediately after the heist Tel Aviv
8

Ruti tracks him down

Ruti tracks down Ervinka as he tries to escape, and the pursuit forces them into a tense confrontation. She confesses her feelings for him with equal force, but makes clear she won’t associate with a criminal. The clash of love and law becomes the emotional center of the story.

during escape Tel Aviv
9

Love and law collide

Their dialogue lays bare the pull of love opposing the pull of crime. Ruti's steadfast stance challenges Ervinka to choose between the life he knows and the chance at a future with her. The tension reaches a turning point as emotions override the lure of money.

climax Tel Aviv
10

A choice: return the money

Ervinka chooses love over loot and decides to set things right. He believes the only honorable path is to hand the money back to its rightful owner, rather than keep living with the risk of arrest and betrayal. This choice signals a shift toward integrity.

before ceremony Lottery offices
11

Returning the money in an official ceremony

In a public, ceremonial moment, Ervinka returns the funds to the General Manager of the lottery. The ceremony mirrors the one he had once imagined receiving the money, giving his gesture a sense of closure. The act elevates him from trickster to someone capable of making amends.

official ceremony Lottery offices, Tel Aviv
12

A new path, love intact

The film ends with a fragile balance between love and legitimacy. Ervinka’s choice to return the money redefines him in Ruti’s eyes and leaves his future open to moral possibility. The couple's bond endures the ordeal, hinting at a different life beyond cons.

post-ceremony Tel Aviv

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:39

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