Search - Krzyzacy NTSC "Knights of the Teutonic Order" on DVD


Krzyzacy NTSC "Knights of the Teutonic Order"
Krzyzacy NTSC Knights of the Teutonic Order
Actor: Urszula Modrzynska; Grazyna Staniszewska
Director: Aleksander Ford
Genres: Indie & Art House, Drama, Military & War
UR     2007     2hr 46min

The first major Polish film epic, KRZYZACY is based on the classic novel by Nobel laureate Henryk Sienkiewicz (Quo Vadis ) and directed by master filmmaker Aleksander Ford (Border Street). An international sensation at the...  more »

     
2

Larger Image

Movie Details

Actor: Urszula Modrzynska; Grazyna Staniszewska
Director: Aleksander Ford
Genres: Indie & Art House, Drama, Military & War
Sub-Genres: Indie & Art House, Drama, Military & War
Studio: Facets
Format: DVD - Color,Widescreen - Subtitled
DVD Release Date: 10/23/2007
Original Release Date: 01/01/1960
Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1960
Release Year: 2007
Run Time: 2hr 46min
Screens: Color,Widescreen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 2
Edition: Import
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Languages: Polish
Subtitles: English

Similar Movies

1612
Director: Vladimir Khotinenko
6
   UR   2009   2hr 15min
Colonel Wolodyjowski
ES
Director: Jerzy Hoffman
1
   UR   2002   2hr 40min
Katyn
Director: Andrzej Wajda
?
   UR   2009   2hr 1min
The Deluge - Part 1
Potop
2
   NR   2hr 35min
 

Movie Reviews

In Days of Old.
peterfromkanata | Kanata, Ontario Canada | 07/14/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)

""Order of Teutonic Knights" was released in 1960 to international acclaim, and it remains a landmark film for Polish cinema. I'm sure that, when it first came out, it was quite a spectacular experience at the local theatre. Clocking in at just under three hours, it tells the tale of the rising conflict between Polish nobility in the Middle Ages and the very powerful multi-national order of titular knights who may be devout Christians, but are also ruthless in their determination to expand their power throughout Europe.

There are some excellent performances in the film, and a number of memorable scenes. It has a very authentic "look", quite a contrast to some of Hollywood's medieval epics. Special kudos to the prolonged final battle scene--there were no computer-generated effects in those days--you really are looking at thousands of extras in this spectacular finale. This must have been a very expensive movie for the Polish film industry.

Unfortunately there are some technical problems with the DVD which prevented me from giving "Knights" a higher rating. The dialogue is naturally in the original Polish with English subtitles--subtitles which far too often seem to be out of synch with the person who is speaking. The widescreen, colour image is not as crisp as it should be. There also appears to have been some "cropping"--for example, there is a scene early in the film where our young heroine is singing a song, and most of her head is "cut off". Unfortunately there are numerous other examples throughout the disc where heads, sometimes whole characters, seem to be missing from the scene. I also suspect that the film might not be the original, uncut version--there seem to be "jumps" in the storyline that cause the viewer to scratch his/her head a little !

Bottom line--it would seem that we have a very fine film here that has not been presented on DVD with the technical quality that it deserves. Then again, the problem may originate with the source material--older films sadly do not always remain in pristine condition. So--recommended with caution."
Krzyzacy is a classic and ranks among the best-known Polish
Richard J. Brzostek | New England, USA | 01/03/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Krzyzacy (Knights of the Teutonic Order) is a historical epic based on the book by Henryk Sienkiewicz. The story is a fictionalized account of the days leading up to the decisive Polish-Lithuanian and Teutonic battle on July 15, 1410. The Battle of Grunwald (or Tannenberg) began the decline of the Teutonic Order and is remembered and celebrated by its victors to this day. The word "Krzyzacy" in Polish is referring to the large cross the Teutonic Knights were known for wearing on their tunic, in a way calling them cross wearers. But these men of the cross also carried swords; their swords may have been used against pagans but Catholic Poles as well.

Running nearly three hours in length, Krzyzacy shows us the political intrigue that leads up to the famous battle. In a way, there is a lot of tit for tat between the Poles and the Teutonic Order. In the early part of the story, a Polish noblewoman is killed by the Teutonic Knights and her husband goes to avenger her. This leads to his daughter being taken hostage by the Order, which leads to further retaliation. After several skirmished and duels, the battle is set to happen. If you can, I would recommend watching Krzyzacy on a big screen to take in the massive final battle.

Unquestionably, Krzyzacy is a classic and ranks among the best-known Polish cinema. As Krzyzacy was made in 1960, not all the effects are realistic as they would be if made today. Although it would be great to see a remake of Krzyzacy, it still will remain a classic that brings history to life.
"
Krzyzacy "Knights of the Teutonic Order"
Edmund Stepnowski | South Daytona, FL | 01/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Enjoyed this movie greatly. Tremendous story and factual history. Movies like this are seldom seen on the big screen today. If I could see more of this type of movies in the theater I would spend more time there instead of attending a theater only once in every five years."
Knights of The Teutonic Order
Jose A. M. Nolla | San Juan, PR Puerto Rico | 10/08/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)

"A good color film of the period seen thru Polish eyes. It gives a good insight into Polish history as well as that of the little known Teutonic Order, that originally did its crusading in the Holy Land. Its good to remember that from its lands the Duchy of Prussia was created."