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The Saragossa Manuscript Wojciech J. Has A movie that deserves its cult classic status. Based on the novel The Manuscript Found in Saragossa, by Jan Potocki, this mind-bending and witty tale chronicles the adventures of a Walloon guard under the King of Spain. Something of a Don Juan, this colorful 19th-century character must pass numerous tests to prove his courage, honesty and honor in order to become a member of the powerful Mauretanian family. Polish screen idol Zbigniew Cybulski stars. "Those who like a challenge and can handle a dizzyingly dense structure that's more puzzle than plot will be well rewarded" (Gary Morris, Bright Lights Film Journal). Restored to its full-length running time. Black and white DVD in Polish with English subtitles; Poland, 1965, 180 mins. DVD | $44.95
Bad Luck (Cockeyed Happiness) Andrzej Munk The odyssey of a man through Poland from 1930 to 1950, in a changing world that seems to have no place for him. We watch him from his childhood to his first love, from his unwilling involvement in Fascist politics to his arrest and imprisonment in a POW camp. Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1960, 105 mins. DVD | $44.95
Career of Nikos Dyzma Jacek Bromski In this film based on the novel by Tadeusz Dolega-Mostowicz, a funeral eulogist's life is drastically changed after he embarrasses the country's hated Vice Prime Minister. Soon the charming Nikos finds himself on top of the political world and a national celebrity. The DVD is letterboxed and includes behind-the-scenes footage and a photo gallery. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 2002, 105 mins. DVD | $37.95
Chopin: Desire for Love Jerzy Antczak Academy Award-nominated director Jerzy Antczak's biography of Fryderyk Chopin chronicles the Polish composer's love affair with feminist writer Aurore Dupin (alias George Sand). Through stunning visuals of the Polish countryside and intense chamber scenes involving flamboyant piano performances and fiery arguments, Antczak lends a taut, dramatic power to Chopin's life story. The DVD is letterboxed and includes biographies, trailers, and English and Spanish subtitles. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 2002, 134 mins. DVD | $44.95
Clouds of War Andrzej Konic Set in the 17th century, this made-for-Polish television series follows two Prussian Army officers who are labeled enemies of the state and thrown in jail for objecting to the ill treatment of an aristocrat. Upon escaping from prison, they embark on an epic adventure full of sword fights, cloak and dagger deceptions and amorous pursuits. All ten episodes are collected here, including Scaffold, Bloody Matchmakers, Envy, Altercation, The Black Bag, Intrigue, Pantomime, Wolf's Lair, Engagements and The Chase. Four DVD set. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1973, 508 mins. DVD | $99.95
Colonel Wolodyjowski Jerzy Hoffman The third and final entry in the historical trilogy based on the work of Henryk Sienkiewicz is a landmark epic. Set in the year 1668 during the Turkish invasion of Poland's eastern frontier, the film chronicles Colonel Wolodyjowki's final defense against the Turks through rousing battle scenes and impressive action. With Tadeusz Loniski, Magdalena Zawadzka, Daniel Olbrychski. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1969, 160 mins. DVD | $44.95
Day of Wacko Marek Koterski This dark comedy chronicling a day in the life of a bitter, disillusioned man was the winner of two Golden Lion Awards. Adam Miauczynski, played by director Marek Kondrat, is a 49-year old elementary school teacher with a drudge against humanity. He blames his neighbors, his mother, and his students for his unhappiness, but refuses to confront the real source of his angst: himself. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 2002, 90 mins. DVD | $37.95
The Deluge Jerzy Hoffman The action takes place in the 17th century, the turbulent period of the Polish-Swedish war. The plot is woven around the stormy love of Andrzej Kmicic (Daniel Olbrychski), for a young woman named Olenka. Based on the novel by Nobel prize-winning author Henryk Sienkiewicz, much of this exciting and romantic film was shot in authentic, ancient Polish castles. Nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 1974, The Deluge was released overseas in a 183-minute cut, but was first shown in Poland in this much longer, two-part version. Two-DVD set, in Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1974, 290 mins. DVD | $69.95
Dismissed from Life Waldemar Krzystek On Christmas Eve 1989, Marek is beaten in the street and left to die in a dump. He survives after the brain surgery, but it leaves him amnesiac. He wanders through the city, finds shelter with a mad bag lady, and searches for his identity. Meanwhile, his fate is a source of consternation not only to his family, but also to his assailants, who fear Marek will testify against them. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1992, 90 mins. DVD | $44.95
Eroica Andrzej Munk A truly great film and one of the key works of postwar Polish cinema, this feature by Andrzej Munk is a fine example of the Polish myth of romantic heroism. The Warsaw Uprising is looked at through the eyes of a drunken black marketeer; in the second "movement," Polish prisoners in a German camp fanatically believe in the heroism of their comrade, which, in fact, is a farce. "Eroica," wrote Pauline Kael, "is a true black comedy and one of the few modern movies that has something relevant to say about the modern world." Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1957, 83 mins. DVD | $44.95
Faustina Jerzy Lukasiewicz An artistic representation of the mystical life led by the first saint of the new millennium, Sister Faustina Kowalska, based upon experiences recorded in her spiritual diary. With Danuta Segda, Danuta Szaflarska and Stanislawa Celinska. Winner of the Best Feature Award at the 1995 Catholic Film Festival. The DVD includes a featurette, a picture gallery, and optional English and Spanish subtitles. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1995, 84 mins. DVD | $44.95
H. M. Deserters Janusz Majewski This fantastic comedy begins when a bunch of "politically suspected" soldiers of the Austrian-Hungarian empire, whose job it is to guard a camp for Italian POW's, desert from their duties. A long string of adventures soon follows. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1986, 166 mins. DVD | $44.95
In Desert and Wilderness Gavin Hood Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Henryk Sienkeiewicz, this tale, set during the construction of the Suez Canal at the end of the 19th century, follows two children of engineers who are kidnapped and taken to the heart of Africa. When the kids escape, they embark on an action-packed journey across the continent to return to their parents. This is the second film version of Sienkeiewicz's story, the first being made in 1973 by director Wladyslaw Slesicki. DVD includes Spanish subtitles. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 2001, 111 mins. DVD | $44.95
Janosik (Complete series) Jerzy Passendorfer This is the complete, 13-episode television series that has mainly been seen outside of Poland in a severely truncated theatrical version. Now the entire, nearly ten hours of this epic adventure can be seen as they were originally broadcast. Janosik is a legendary Robin Hood of the Tatra Mountains who steals from the rich to help the poor who are oppressed by the liege lords who rule the countryside. Full of adventures, fights, duels, pursuits and thrills. With Marek Perepeczko, Bogusz Bilewski, and Witold Pyrkosz. The three-volume, four-disc DVD set includes bonus features. Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1974, 579 mins. DVD | $109.95
The Kingdom of Green Glade Krzysztof Kiwerski The story of a boy's adventures at the Green Glade. He destroys an ants' nest, tries to kill a spider and gets shrunk to the size of a ladybug. Polish with NO SUBTITLES. Poland, 1996, 65 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
Kitsch Mariusz Pujso This Polish comedy looks at an inept amateur filmmaker and the sudden success that his inexperience brings him. Heralded by critics as a genius auteur, the new director is actually a smooth-talker who charges naive actors to be in his film and who relies on a culinary school graduate with no camera skills to provide cinematography. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 2002, 75 mins. DVD | $37.95
The Law and the Fist Jerzy Hoffman/Edward Skorzewski Six men are assigned the duty of guarding treasures recovered from the Germans in 1945 and soon are tempted to keep some of the items for their own wealth. A tense, involving drama and an interesting look at the post-war moral climate in Poland, this film has been described as a contemporary sort of "western," playing out its themes with symbolic action. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1964, 93 mins. Videocassette | $59.95
Leper Jerzy Hoffman A moving, melodramatic story of the forbidden love affair between a wealthy young nobleman and the beautiful teacher of a high society girl. The town folk try to destroy the feelings between these two people of different social positions. Based on the novel by Helena Mniszek. With Elzbieta Starostecka and Leszek Teleszynski. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1976, 100 mins. DVD | $44.95
Louder Than Bombs Przemyslaw Wojcieszek 21-year-old Marcin is forced to grapple with responsibility and change when his father dies and he is left in charge of the funeral arrangements. On top of that, his girlfriend announces she is leaving their industrial town in southern Poland for the USA. With references to James Dean and The Smiths, this very fine coming-of-age drama manages to capture the hopes buried beneath the surface of brooding youth. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 2001, 92 mins. DVD | $37.95
Man on the Tracks Andrzej Munk Andrzej Munk, one of "the most gifted avatars of the Polish New Wave" (Village Voice), directed this screen adaptation of a short story by J.S. Stawinski. Using a disjointed structure with conflicting versions of the same story (a la Citizen Kane and Rashomon), Munk spins a tale about an engine driver found slumped across train tracks in the middle of the night. Different characters who knew the man take part in the investigation of his death, each relating their own interpretation. Was it suidice? Sabotage? Was he an eccentric? A regular Joe? Just as the characters examine the mystery, this classic of anti-Stalinism uses the story to examine the issues and problems of 1950's Poland. Poland, 1957, 90 mins. DVD | $44.95
Miki Mol I Straszne Plaszczydlo (Miki the Moth) Krzysztof Kiwerski A delightful animated feature for young viewers, following the whimsical, amusing adventures of Miki the Moth. A colorful entertainment from Poland's Studio Filmow Animowanych. In Polish, NO ENGLISH SUBTITLES. Poland, 1996, 84 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
On the Banks of the Nieman Zbigniew Kuzminski Romance and class struggles clash against the background of the 1863 Polish uprising against Russian occupation in this sprawling historical epic. Stars Iwona Pawlak, Adam Marjanski, Marta Lipinska and Janusz Zakrzenski. Based on the classic Polish novel The River Niemen by Eliza Orzeszkowa. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1987, 100 mins. DVD | $44.95
Prince Joseph's Soldier Konrad Tom During Napolean's campaign in Poland, a young soldier is accused of desertion. His fiance pleads with the Prince and manages to win him over to her cause. She appeals to Prince Joseph's heart because her cause is love. Polish with NO SUBTITLES. Poland, 1938, 85 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
The Saragossa Manuscript Wojciech J. Has A movie that deserves its cult classic status. Based on the novel The Manuscript Found in Saragossa, by Jan Potocki, this mind-bending and witty tale chronicles the adventures of a Walloon guard under the King of Spain. Something of a Don Juan, this colorful 19th-century character must pass numerous tests to prove his courage, honesty and honor in order to become a member of the powerful Mauretanian family. Polish screen idol Zbigniew Cybulski stars. "Those who like a challenge and can handle a dizzyingly dense structure that's more puzzle than plot will be well rewarded" (Gary Morris, Bright Lights Film Journal). Restored to its full-length running time. Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1965, 180 mins. DVD | $44.95
Sexmission Juliusz Machulski A sexy, controversial feature from one of Poland's top filmmakers, and one of the most successful Polish films of the '80s. The legendary box office smash from director Juliusz Machulski is about two men who, after being in voluntary hibernation, awaken 50 years later to find the world destroyed by nuclear war and women ruling from the underground. Facing harsh treatment from their female guards, they will do anything to save themselves and to reestablish the male population. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1984, 117 mins. DVD | $44.95
Squint Your Eyes (Zmruz Oczy) Andrzej Jakimowski Andrzej Jakimowski balances gravity and irony, comedy and reality, in his depiction of a friendship between an older man and a teenage girl. When Mala runs away from her well-to-do parents to live on the deserted farm of her former teacher Jaciek, her parents are unable to persuade her to return home. But Jaciek, a unique if unkempt soul and societal dropout, uses his wits and wisdom to slowly persuade Mala to change her mind. "This brief, scoffing story, told in the manner of Milos Forman's early films, keeps haunting you long after you've left the theatre" (Chicago Reader). In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 2004, 88 mins. DVD | $44.95
Three Stooges Henryk Szaro Musical comedy about three friends who win a big lottery. Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1937, 84 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
With Fire and Sword Jerzy Hoffman At the time of its release, this lavish historical epic was the most expensive Polish film ever made. Based on a novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz (Quo Vadis?), this grand drama is set in 17th century Poland during the Cossack uprising against the Polish nobility. As the violent confrontation builds, there is also a battle for the heart of a beautiful girl between a dashing Pole and a brutish Ukrainian. This was the first novel in a trilogy of historical adventures by Sienkiewicz; the others (Colonel Wolodyjowski and The Deluge) have also been brought to the screen by director Jerzy Hoffman. "...a great epic of the Wild East, all the more fresh for its reliance on low-tech horsepower and old-time storytelling in an age of digital-FX blockbuster madness" (Matt Radz, Montreal Gazette). This is a two videocassette or DVD set, and is the expanded television version, including 18 minutes of additional footage. In Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1999, 182 mins. DVD | $69.95
