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| The Bicentennial of Adam Mickiewicz's Birth http://hum.amu.edu.pl/~zbzw/ph/am/am200.html |
| This Polish produced website (in English)
is recommended because it shows well why Mickiewicz is Poland's greatest poet and
enduring symbol of Polish nationalism. Unfortunately, the links to his poetry are
all in Polish. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, May 2002, updated September 2003. |
| The Censor’s Hand http://spice.stanford.edu/lp/censorshand/censorteacher.html |
| Recommended because this free online lesson plan provides insight into state
censorship by the communist government of Poland in 1974. Students are given an
article on the Polish heath care system and asked to censor it as they might expect that
the Soviet-dominated Polish government would have done. Then they are shown how the
article was actually censored. Useful in understanding Polish resentment of Soviet
domination in Poland, as well as the origins of the Solidarity labor movement. Secondary
school level. Produced by SPICE (the Stanford Program in International and Cross
Cultural Education). Reviewed by Bill Wolf, April 2002, updated September 2003. |
| History of East Central Europe http://historicaltextarchive.com/halecki/ |
| This is the online version of the 1952
history text by Oscar Halecki. Recommended
because Halecki is one of the most authoritative
figures in East European history. This volume covers the history of the Poles, Czechs,
Slovaks, and Hungarians. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, April 2002, updated September 2003. |
| Written by noted East European political
analyst Timothy Garton Ash, this website is recommended as the biography of the
Polish trade union leader and President of Poland. It is part of Time Magazine's
“100 Most Important People of the Twentieth Century” series. In addition
to the biography, topics and
materials include a quiz, a timeline, a Time
article on Walesa from 1982, and an Internet link. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, May 2002, updated September 2003. |
| The Official Website of Poland http://www.poland.pl |
| This website recommended because it has
everything--sections on Polish government, history, culture, news, geography, etc., and
all of it is in English from the Polish point of view. A beautiful and well-designed
website. Be aware that there is also a Polish
language version of this site. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, May 2002, updated September 2003. |
| Poland in the Classroom http://wings.buffalo.edu/info-poland/classroom/index.html |
| Recommended as the single best Internet site for teachers and students
interested in learning more about Poland. This is a terrific site with a tremendous amount
of information about Poland: it's history, geography, and culture. Resources are divided
into two sections, K-6 and Grades 7-12. Teachers are encouraged to look at the references
to distinguished Poles--probably they will be surprised at number of great writers,
scientists, soldiers, etc. who were Poles (including four Nobel Prize winners in
literature). This site is tremendous! Produced by the University of Buffalo (where there
is a large Polish-American population). Reviewed by Bill Wolf, May 2002, updated September 2003. |
| Polart http://www.polart.com/ |
| Based in Sarasota, Florida, Polart
specializes in all things Polish. Recommended because they carry a
large selection of books, maps, videos, music CDs, clothing, handicrafts, and many other
Polish items. This is the single best place in the United States to find
Polish-related items. Their catalogue is online. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, April 2002, updated September 2003. |
| Polish Nobel Laureates in Literature http://library.thinkquest.org/11959/ |
| There are four Polish writers who have won
the Nobel Prize for literature. This charming site is recommended because it
offers biographical information on these four as well as many photographs. Be aware
that there is an extensive sampling of the poetry of Wislawa Szymborska and Czeslaw
Milosz. Built by Polish students new to the English language, this site is also
available in Polish. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, May 2002, updated September 2003. |
| Polish Resource Materials http://www.loc.gov/rr/european/coll/poli.html (Library of Congress) |
| Recommended as a very thorough collection of sources for Polish study. Topics and materials include mostly print resources, several in other languages, (mostly in
English with some Polish and French). Reviewed by Tim Cave, updated September 2003. |
| Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Newsline http://www.rferl.org/newsline/ |
| Recommended for its daily news report on the Former Soviet Union and Eastern
Europe. News stories are brief, objective, and focus primarily on political developments.
They are divided into the following areas: Russia; Transcaucasus and Central Asia; Central
and Eastern Europe; and Southeastern Europe. Polish news can be found in the
Central and Eastern Europe section. Be aware that one can receive the
daily RFE/RL news reports for free by e-mail (write to newsline-subscribe@list.rferl.org) or
the reports can be accessed on the RFE/RL website, which also has a newsline archive.
Reviewed by Bill Wolf, April 2002, updated September 2003. |
| Radio Polonia http://www.radio.com.pl/polonia/gb/ |
| Recommended because this is the English language international broadcast of the
official Polish state radio. Radio Polonia homepage also contains English language news
articles, as well as number of other subjects like Polish history, Polish poetry, and the
arts in Poland. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, April 2002, updated September 2003. |
| Virtual Tour of Poland http://www.polandembassy.org/Virtual_Tour/content.hml |
| Recommended because it is a superbly organized and beautifully composed introduction
to Poland and the Poles. The site is divided into several sections including: Poland
Today, Polish History, Polish Culture Today, The Poles and Their Religion, Outstanding
Poles, Polish Science, etc. Part of the Polish Embassy to the United States
website. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, April 2002, updated September 2003. |
| Warsaw Voice http://www.warsawvoice.com.pl |
| Recommended as a weekly newspaper reporting from the Polish capital. A
wide variety of news stories is provided but most articles are relatively brief. Be aware
that the paper is in Polish, but the English language version is available by clicking on
the words "English Version" at the upper left hand corner of the website.
Reviewed by Bill Wolf, April 2002, updated September 2003. |
| Heart of Europe: A Short History of Poland
Norman Davies, Oxford University Press, 1986. |
| Recommended because Davies' books on Polish history are the best in the English
language. In addition to his "Short History," he wrote a more comprehensive two
volume work called "God's Playground: A History of Poland," (Columbia University
Press, 1982) which is also highly recommended, but may be too detailed for many. For those
more interested in current events in Poland, but want those events informed by a
historical perspective, Davies' "Heart of Europe: The Past In Poland's Present"
(Oxford University Press, 2001) is recommended. Available used from Amazon.com
for various prices. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Life in the Warsaw Ghetto Gail B. Stewart, Lucent Books (1995) 112 pages |
| Recommended because this book examines how people lived under the government of the
Third Reich in German-occupied Poland. Establishing the historical background, the book
depicts the lives of Jews in Warsaw with the aid of photographs and selections from memoir
accounts. Apparently out of print, but available used from Amazon.com for
various prices. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| New and Collected Poems: 1931-2001 Czeslaw Milosz, Ecco Press (2001) |
| Recommended as a volume of poems, from his earliest to most recent, of one of
the world's greatest poets -- Nobel Prize winner Czeslaw Milosz. All poems are in
English translation from the original Polish. Available from Amazon.com for
$14. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Our Global Village: Poland Don McKay and illustrated by Kathy Mitter, Milliken Publishing Company (1994) |
| Elementary school level. Recommended as an introduction to Polish history and culture including daily life,
holidays, foods, stories, games, and basic language expressions. Reviewed by and available for free loan from the Indiana University Russian and East European Institute, updated September 2003. |
| Pan Tadeusz Adam Mickiewicz, translated by Kenneth R. Mackenzie |
| Recommended as an epic tale of country life among the Polish and Lithuanian
gentry in the years 1811 and 1812. Pan Tadeusz is Poland's best known
literary work and has been translated into every European language. Of the three
English versions, Kenneth R. Mackenzie's is considered the best. Available
from Polart for $35. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| With the Fire and Sword Henryk Sienkiewicz, translated by W.S. Kuniczak. |
| Recommended as the first volume of the epic trilogy by the Nobel Prize winner,
this sweeping saga of love, adventure, war and rebelion is set in Poland and Ukraine
during the 17th century. Engrossing reading. Available from Polart for $35. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| All Friends Here (Sami Swoi) (1967) |
| In Polish with English subtitles. Recommended as the first in the trilogy of the most popular Polish film comedies: the
adventures of two families, the Pawlaks and the Karguls (the other two films are Take
It Easy and Big Deal). This film is set just after World War Two when
the Pawlaks and the Karguls have moved from their poor little village in the eastern
borderland of Poland to the Western Regained Territories. There they settle as
neighbors, only to carry on the longstanding dispute they had while living in eastern
Poland. The controversy had begun 40 years earlier when Kargul's cow strayed into
Pawlak's field. Although they could make peace and work together in moments of common
danger, these reconciliations never could be sustained -- until their children grew up and
fell in love with each other. Directed by Sylwester Checinski (78 minutes).
Available for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East
European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu)
or may be purchased from Facets Multimedia for $40.
Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Big Deal (Kochaj Albo Rzuc) (1978) |
| In Polish with English subtitles. Recommended as the third in the comedy trilogy of the Pawlak and Kargul families' saga
(the other two films are All Friends Here and Take It Easy). In this
film, Pawlak and Kargul travel to the United States on the invitation of Pawlak's brother.
Many humorous situations develop as the Polish pair encounters the strange customs of life
in America (great for seeing how Poles view the US!). Directed by Sylwester Checinski (112
minutes). Available for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic
and East European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu)
or may be purchased from Facets Multimedia for $40.
Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Communism: Legacy of Pollution (1997, 25 minutes) |
| Recommended because in the wake of communism's decline in Eastern Europe, the
environmental legacy of communism has been revealed. The Czech Republic, Poland, and
Germany form a black triangle of aggressive air pollution with which these newly
democratic states must now contend. This film outlines the work of the European Union to
help these countries moderate their industrial pollution. Available
for free loan from Indiana University's Russian and East European Studies Institute, but
apparently out of print. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Dateline 1980: Gdansk (1991) |
| In English. Recommended because it shows how anti-Communism was very strong in Poland almost a decade
before the fall of the Berlin Fall. The focus in this video is the early 1980s
strike at the Lenin Shipyard to protest Communist rule and the deteriorating Polish
economy. The growth of Solidarity under Lech Walesa is described (23 minutes).
Available for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East
European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu),
but apparently not available commercially. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| The Departure (Odjazd) (1992) |
| In Polish with English subtitles. Recommended as the story of a woman and her mother who are ethnic Germans from the
Masurian Lakes region in what was Germany (East Prussia) before 1945, but what became
Poland after the war ended. The film portrays ethnic tensions between Germans and Poles,
and also gives insight into the history of the Masurian Lakes region from just prior to
the outbreak of the Second World War to just before the collapse of communism in Poland in
the late 1980s. Clearly the prime purpose of the film is to show that Germans, along with
Poles, were victims of World War II. Directed by Magdalena and Piotr Kazarkiewiczowie (115
minutes). Available for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic
and East European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu)
or may be purchased from Polart for $40. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| The Doll (Lalka) (1969) |
| In Polish with English subtitles. Recommended as a historical film set in Warsaw in 1872. Based on the novel by Boleslaw
Prus. Story of love and the tragedy of unfulfilled desire and ambition. Wealthy, ambitious
middle-aged merchant is overwhelmed by obsessive and destructive passion for Izabela
Lecka, who is intrigued by his strong personality but cannot fully appreciate him.
Directed by Wojciech Has (159 minutes). Available for free loan
from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East European Studies (call
614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu) or may be
purchased from Facets Multimedia for $50. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| A Force More Powerful: Poland "We've Caught God by the Arm" (2000) |
| Recommended because this program tells the story of how nonviolent power overcame
oppression and authoritarian rule in Poland. In August 1980, workers at the Gdansk
shipyard went on strike. Their main demand, free trade unions, was unprecedented in
a country where communist party supremacy did not allow the existence of any independent
organizations. Lech Walesa, a wily 37 year-old electrician, was the chief negotiator
for the workers, who avoided the mistakes of earlier strikes by maintaining strict
nonviolent discipline -- and by occupying their shipyard, to deter a violent crackdown by
authorities. The strike quickly spread to factories and workers throughout the
country, magnifying their leverage. Their persistence paid off as government granted
most of their demands. A new union was born named "Solidarity" (31 minutes).
Available for free loan from Indiana University's Russian and East European Studies
Institute. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Highlands & Highlanders (Gory i Gorale) (1990) |
| In English. Recommended as a Polish-produced film of the southern Polish Tatra Mountains and the
people who live in this region (60 minutes). Available for free loan
from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East European Studies (call
614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu) or may be
purchased from Polart for $25. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Kanal (1957) |
| Polish with English subtitles. Recommended because this is masterful director Andrej Wajda's hallucinatory portrait of a
group of Polish patriots who flee the Nazis through the sewer system of a war-devastated
Warsaw. No country suffered more than Poland in the Second World War and this film
captures both the great heroism of the Poles in that struggle as well as the tremendous
human cost of the war for Poland (96 minutes). Available for free loan
from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East European Studies (call
614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu) or may be
purchased from Facets Multimedia for $25. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Korczak (1990) |
| In Polish with English subtitles. Recommended because this film chronicles the extraordinary efforts of Dr. Janusz Korczak,
pediatrician and author, to protect a group of abandoned Jewish children in the Warsaw
Ghetto during the Second World War when the Nazis occupied Poland (black & white, 118
minutes). Available for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic
and East European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu)
or may be purchased from Facets Multimedia for $30.
Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Lodz Ghetto (1992, 120 minutes) |
| Recommended because this film chronicles the besieged and doomed city in Poland
during World War Two which held the second largest concentration of Jews in Nazi Europe.
The lives and stories of the 200,000 Jews who were trapped in the Ghetto are told
solely with authentic writings from secret journals, archival photographs and footage shot
by German soldiers. Available for free loan from Indiana University's Russian and East
European Studies Institute, or may be purchased from Facets
Multimedia for $40. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Man of Iron (1981) |
| In Polish with English subtitles.
Made in the center of political events surrounding it, this film is recommended because it merges documentary footage of the Solidarity strike into a
fictionalized drama of a disillusioned radio producer (Marian Opania) who is ordered to
Gdansk to undermine the reputation of one of the leaders of the worker revolt. Directed by
Andrzej Wajda (152 minutes). Available for free loan from the
Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or
write to Keisel.1@osu.edu) or may be purchased from Facets Multimedia for $20. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Pan Tadeusz (1999) |
| In Polish with English subtitles.
Recommended because it is based on the 19th century epic poem by Polish poet Adam
Mickiewicz--probably the single greatest work of Polish literature. Written in 1834,
while Mickiewicz was living in exile in Paris, the poem is still considered the greatest
epic of Polish literature. Set in the picturesque landscape of Lithuania, the film depicts
the region during the Napoleonic era. The film conveys the poem's political tone as
well as its derisive irony. The lavish costume drama features an all-star cast.
The plot revolves around a feud between two Polish gentry families living under
Russian rule. Vengeance, thwarted love, trysts, mind-boggling secrets, feasts,
hunts, balls, and battles enliven the action, which unfolds amidst the Poles' hope that
Napoleon's invasion of Russia will lead to the restoration of Polish statehood. This
film was a blockbuster in Poland, but is more difficult for non-Polish audiences to
appreciate. Still, it is highly recommended. Directed by Andrzej Wajda (157
minutes). Available for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic
and East European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu)
or may be purchased from Facets Multimedia for $40.
Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Poland: Land of the White Eagle (1987-89) |
| In English. Recommended as a series of ten minute films highlighting Poland's history, traditions,
cultural heritage, architecture, and landscape. Directed by Wojciech Sarnowicz.
Available for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East
European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu),
but apparently not available commercially. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. Part 1: visits Gniezno, Pszczyna, the Pieniny and Beskidy mountains and the Eagle Nest trail between Cracow and Czestochowa (95 minutes). Part 2: visits Warsaw, Cracow, the Wieliczka saltmine, Malbork, Torun, Wroclaw, Lodz and Szczecin (90 minutes). Part 3: visits Czestochowa, Zamosc, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Gdansk and Gdynia (90 minutes). |
| Poland: 1000 Years of History and Culture (1986-89) |
| In English. Recommended as a
documentary series on Polish history and culture produced by Roger Conant at the
University of Pittsburgh. Available for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic
and East European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu),
but apparently not available commercially. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. Part One: Piast Poland (22 minutes) Part Two: Jagiellonian Poland (20 minutes) Part Three and Four: Gentry commonwealth (1573-1795) (36 minutes) Part Four: Romantic and Modern Poland (1796-1945) ( minutes) |
| Poland: A Proud Heritage (Video Visits) (1989) |
| In English. Recommended as perhaps the finest one-hour travelogue video ever produced. The
hospitable people of Poland welcome you to their friendly country. Journey to Warsaw, the
capital, filled with newly restored historical buildings. In Castle Square, gaze at
the Royal Castle and Sigmund's Column, the symbol of the city. Tour Cracow's Wawel
Hill, the ancient seat of Polish kings, and enjoy Polish folklore in the Tatras Mountains.
Bask in the sun at Gdansk and experience the splendid serenity of Bialowieza Forest
-- Europe's last virgin woodland. Pause in commemoration at the Auschwitz memorial.
Glide down the picturesque Dunajec River, then visit the monastery of Jasna Gora,
where millions of Poles make an annual pilgrimage to see the famed Black Madonna (55
minutes). Available for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic
and East European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu)
or may be purchased from Facets Multimedia for $25.
Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Polish-Americans |
| Recommended for its discussion of the lives of three generations of
Polish-Americans represented by a single family, including how and why they immigrated to
the US in the first place, the importance of their cultural identity, how it is
maintained, and how it changes. From the "Multicultural Peoples of North
America" series (30 minutes). Recommended for grades 4-10. Available
for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East European Studies
(call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu).
Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Polish Folk Dance and Songs (1994) |
| Recommended because this video features folk dances and songs from many different
regions of Poland performed by authentic folk groups in national dress. Regions
represented include Kaszuby, Warmia, Mazury, Kujawy, Lowicz, Kurpie, Podlasie, Podhale,
Beskid, Cieszyn, and Przeworsk (68 minutes). Available for free loan
from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East European Studies (call
614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu), but
apparently not available commercially. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Pigs (Psy) (1992) |
| In Polish with English subtitles. Recommended as an American-style crime/action film with lots of swearing, graphic
violence, and some sex. The story of two Polish secret policemen under the communist
system who are forced to adapt to the new reality of post-Communist Poland. One
becomes an ordinary policeman, the other gets involved in a narcotics-trafficking gang.
Despite their now radically different lifestyles, the two men remain friends--at
least for a time. Directed by Wladyslaw Pasikowski (108 minutes). Available
for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East European Studies
(call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu) or
may be purchased from Facets Multimedia for $50.
Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| The Roman Catholic Church in Poland |
| Arguably, no European country has suffered
more throughout its history than Poland. This program is recommended because it
captures some of the intensity behind Catholic worship in Poland, where the Church has
been one of the main factors in preserving a sense of Polish identity. Interviews
with Solidarity activists recall the Church’s struggle in the 1980s, in particular
the martyrdom of the young Father Popielsku. The program also looks at the role of
the Church in the political life of post-Communist Poland. (30 minutes, color). Available
for purchase from Films for the Humanities for $90.
Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| Struggles for Poland (1988) |
| This PBS production is recommended because it constitutes a history of Poland in the Twentieth Century. Narrated by
Roger Mudd, it combines historical footage with interviews of people who participated in
the described events. Available for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic
and East European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu),
but apparently not available commercially. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. Struggles for Poland, Vol. I: Once Upon a Time, 1900-1923 Documents through archival films, interviews and stills, how the vision of two Polish leaders, Josef Pilsudski and Roman Dmowski, along with a series of major events, provided the necessary catalysts for Poland to regain its sovereign status after years of domination by foreign powers (55 minutes). Struggles for Poland, Vols. II & III: False Dawn, 1921-1939; Different World: Poland's Jews, 1919-1943. Documents Poland's struggles to establish a government following the ratification of the new Polish constitution in 1921, and shows how political infighting led to the establishment of a military regime based on right-wing totalitarianism and officially sanctioned anti-Semitism. While workers and peasants struggled against this regime from within, Poland faced even greater threats from its aggressive neighbors, Stalin's Soviet Russia and Hitler's Nazi Germany. Struggles for Poland, Vols. IV & V: Occupation, 1939-1945; Friends and Neighbors, 1939-1945. Documents the atrocities perpetrated against the Polish people during WWII. Special segments of this episode also set in relief the role and activities of the Polish Underground; the creation of the Soviet-inspired Communist resistance; and the 280,000 members of the Home Army in Warsaw, which led to an ill-fated uprising against the Germans in 1944. Struggles for Poland, Vol. VI & VII: Bright Days of Tomorrow, 1945-1956; Sweepers of Squares, 1956-1970. Describes Poland’s first decades of Soviet domination, which began with the Soviet “liberation” of Poland from Nazi rule at the end of the Second World War. Struggles for Poland, Vols. VIII & IX: In This Life, 1900-1979; The Workers' State, 1970-Present. Chronicles the rise of Solidarity, the workers’ movement that eventually led to the overthrow of the pro-Soviet socialist government. |
| Take it Easy (Nie Ma Mocnych) (1973) |
| In Polish with English subtitles.
This film is recommended as the second in a comedy trilogy (also All Friends Here
and Big Deal) about two quarreling peasant families, the Karguls and the Pawlaks,
who after being left homeless by the Second World War settle, by accident, on neighboring
farms. The quarrel, however, ends with the happy marriage of their children. This
film begins eighteen years later when the old quarrels have been forgotten and both
farmers work peacefully. But a new problem keeps them awake at night -- they have no
successors to inherit their farms. Finally they invent a clever plan -- their grand
daughter, Ann, now eighteen, will take over both farms after her marriage. But
neither Kargul nor Pawlak can rest until their plan is realized. Directed by
Sylwester Checinski (89 minutes). Available for free loan from the
Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or
write to Keisel.1@osu.edu) or may be purchased from Facets Multimedia for $40. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| The Wedding (1973) |
| In Polish with English subtitles. Recommended because it is based on a popular nationalistic play (one of the best known
literary works in Poland) by Stanislaw Wyspianski about the wedding of a peasant's
daughter to a poet around 1900. This movie is one of director A. Wajda's most
important films where he was able to express all the ideas and emotions, judgement and
love, hate and pride he felt about his country, Poland. A landmark in the Polish
cinema (103 minutes). Available for free loan from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic
and East European Studies (call 614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu)
or may be purchased from Facets Multimedia for $50.
Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
| With Fire and Sword (1999) |
| In Polish with English subtitles. Recommended because this is a well-made historical drama which provides great insight into
Polish history. With Fire and Sword is a film about great passions: love, hate,
envy, and lust for power, shown against the backdrop of momentous historical events.
In the mid-17th century, at the start of the film's action, Poland was arguably the
largest, most democratic, most tolerant country in Europe. However, the tragic civil
war brought about the gradual decline of the once glorious republic. Based on the
trilogy by Nobel Prize winner Henryk Sienkiewicz (also in the same trilogy are Colonel
Wolodyovsky and The Deluge. Directed by Jerzy Hoffman, this is a
powerful movie and is highly recommended (182 minutes). Available for free loan
from the Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East European Studies (call
614-292-8770 or write to Keisel.1@osu.edu) or may be
purchased from Facets Multimedia for $60. Reviewed by Bill Wolf, updated September 2003. |
Last Updated on September 5, 2003
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