Search - Jerzy Hoffman Trilogy on DVD

A fine effort.

James Pease | Capitola, CA USA | 08/13/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sienkiewicz work is always masterful and rich in its texture. The personal developments of the characters are far less involved than the books but when are they not in films? In spite of this the story is true to form and very much a visual feast, 17th century life is very well portrayed along with the inherent fears and prejudices that history is a study of. I'm sorry more Americans cannot enjoy Sienkiewicz's work but too few read and fox news requires so little thought. Subtitles must be out of the question."

FINALLY!

counterrev | Eustace, Texas | 04/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alright, I'm Catholic. I'm Catholic and I'm tired of being misrepresented in, and outraged by, movies. I'm happy when I find a good movie which simply leaves out gratuitous sex and the EVER present, CONSTANT repetition of the F word. Oh, and the N word---good grief PLEASE deliver me---always by some black person buying drugs or by the most VILE and violent of white trash goons. And all the other nasty, gross, hideous, godless CRAP that goes into a really successful movie these days.

I LOVED THIS TRILOGY! IT IS SO CATHOLIC! IT IS SUCH BEAUTIFUL HISTORY! I don't have a drop of slav in my veins, but the husband and kids are 1/4 and 1/8 Pole, respectively, and originally I bought the films for their edification, but OH, I LOVE THIS TRILOGY!

For those who expect a filmed-in-rapid-succession, Lord of the Rings sort of production, be warned that the first movie filmed was the LAST book of the trilogy---filmed in 1969. The costumes are pretty bad, and it has a bit of that 60's...whatever...that makes films from that era so tedious for me, at least, and the same can be said of the second film which is the second book of the trilogy, and was filmed in '74. The last book of the trilogy was filmed in '99, after the historical reenacting culture had stressed the importance of authenticity, and it is truly beautiful. Why the director filmed the books in this order, I don't know. I suspect he never intended to do more than the last book. But on the plus side, you become well and happily aquainted with the only character who is a constant throughout the trilogy when you watch the first part, which was filmed last and is the most wonderful to watch. Make sense? well, neither will the Polish, but it is subtitled.

I can't recommend this enough to anyone who is interested in the fascinating history of easter Europe. The battle scenes are quite moving. The Winged Hussars---oh, my goodness. I found this trilogy while researching the Polish defense against the Germans. And now I can see why Cavalry was so sacred for them. Just beautiful.

A fascinating, if, imo, unwise political system, threats from all directions and a fierce and proud people devoted to their Faith and their heritage. Wow. What's not to love?"

Poland has not yet perished as long as we still live

Antoni | Australia | 08/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Read the trilogy first because it is one of the few true masterfull trilogies then watch the trilogy on dvd"

Just a thought

owlwise | north hollywood, ca, usa | 03/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jerzy Hoffman Trilogy

While no movie will ever surpass reading of a book (especially in the language it was written), I found Jerzy Hoffman's Trilogy outstanding. Little surprise that Sienkiewicz took the Nobel, and Hoffman's production Oscar nominations. The production details are meticulous from horses to costumes to countryside to the portrayal of one of the ever so tumultuous periods of Polish history. While filmed at intervals over a period of 30 years, and backwards no less (that is to say the last book was filmed first, and the first book last), the production detailing remains of the highest quality. There is a little something for the action buff, the romantic, and the historian. I am very much impressed and highly recommend this product."