Krzyżacy

I recorded my only two truancy absences in my childhood thanks to this film. During the communist era, our cinema used to run so-called "Morning screenings for pensioners" (really, I'm not kidding) twice a week, where for a symbolic five crowns you could brighten up your day. As part of it they screened this two-part historical film, so school was out of the question, I, as a history lover, had no choice. I didn’t mind the write-down in my pupil’s book, what mattered was that the Crusaders got their asses kicked in the battle of Grünwald. Really, for lovers of the historical genre, this is a hearty meal, an epically sweeping, narrative spectacle with a strong story and a nice battle at the end. I only have to warn you about the DVD edition sold here, which is absolutely horrible and looks like a VHS tape that has been scratched hundreds of times, and with a side cut! Truly disgusting! (09.03.2008)

An incredibly long film, which undermined its reputation with me mainly because of its excessive running time, which could have been even a third shorter. In terms of production design and costumes, I liked it, but some of the scenes bored me and seemed silly and completely unnecessary. In short, for me personally, a very mediocre film that will probably appeal to viewers who are interested in the history of the Crusades. (22.03.2012)