King of the Gypsies tells a riveting story centered on Zharko Stepanowicz, portrayed by Sterling Hayden, who is the king of the gypsies. He makes an unexpected visit to the camp of another gypsy, Spiro played by Michael V. Gazzo, insisting that Spiro's daughter, Rose (brilliantly brought to life by Susan Sarandon), marry his son, Groffo (played by Judd Hirsch). Zharko has already paid a hefty sum of $4,500 for this marriage, yet Rose is adamantly opposed to it, leading Spiro to offer half of the bride price back to Zharko as compensation. This offer, however, is met with discontent as Zharko refuses to accept it. The matter escalates to the gypsy elders, who uphold Spiro's stance. Frustrated with the ruling, Zharko storms out, but on his way out, he forcibly takes Rose with him.
As fate would have it, Dave (initially portrayed by Corey Einbinder as a boy and later by Eric Roberts), their son emerges into the world amidst significant family turmoil. Despite the challenges, Dave's arrival brings a glimmer of hope, as he could potentially inherit the title of king one day. Growing up, Dave is thrust into a life of con games and confidence tricks alongside his family as they traverse the United States. When they finally settle in New York City and Tita (played by Brooke Shields) is born, Dave becomes increasingly aware that the gypsy lifestyle isn't for him. His father’s, Groffo's, ongoing alcoholism and violent outbursts begin to instill a deep resentment in him towards his own family.
As a teenager, Dave finds himself caught in a whirlwind of conflict, especially when his grandfather, Zharko, praises his intelligence and proposes an arranged marriage with Persa (portrayed by Annie Potts). However, rather than embracing his gypsy heritage, Dave chooses to escape. Years later, he still refuses the responsibility of leadership and is determined to reject the life of the gypsies, choosing to pursue dreams of normalcy, particularly when he begins dating Sharon (Annette O'Toole), sharing aspirations of moving to California.
But tension mounts as he discovers that Groffo has arranged a marriage for Tita against her wishes, compelling Rose to reach out to Dave for help. Refusing to contribute the money required to free Tita from the undesirable marriage contract, Dave’s refusal leads him to face harsh realities—especially when word of Zharko's illness reaches him, prompting a visit to the hospital where he’s gifted the king's ring and medallion on his grandfather's deathbed, solidifying his unexpected kingship.
Throughout the film, motifs of duty and familial loyalty come into sharp focus, with Dave grappling with his newfound title and the responsibilities that come with it. At Zharko's funeral, as tensions rise within the family, particularly with Groffo, Dave finds himself in a confrontation that escalates to violence. The film’s climax sees Dave determining to save Tita from a marriage she dreads, culminating in a tragic chase that results in devastating losses.
Ultimately, Dave emerges from this chaotic saga with a profound sense of reflection at Groffo's funeral, contemplating his family's legacy amid a sea of mourners, acknowledging that he had never aspired to this role as king. Yet, he begins to recognize a silver lining of potential—a chance to guide the gypsies forward into a new era, melding tradition with progress as he sets the stage for a future he never anticipated embracing.
