Product Details

• Actors: Izabella Scorupco, Michal Zebrowski, Aleksandr Domogarov, Krzysztof Kowalewski, Bogdan Stupka
• Directors: Jerzy Hoffman
• Writers: Jerzy Hoffman, Andrzej Krakowski, Henryk Sienkiewicz
• Producers: Jerzy Hoffman, Jerzy Frykowski, Jerzy R. Michaluk
• Format: Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: Polish
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Polart
• DVD Release Date: April 13, 2004
• Run Time: 204 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001DMW7A
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,821 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "With Fire and Sword (Ogniem i Mieczem), Parts 1 & 2" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

WITH FIRE AND SWORD - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This film changed my life!, October 27, 2005

By 

Richard J. Brzostek (New England, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: With Fire and Sword (Ogniem i Mieczem), Parts 1 & 2 (DVD)

"With Fire and Sword" (Ogniem i Mieczem) was the film that started my interest in Polish cinema a few years ago. Its story, effects, and history amazed me. Watching the movie was a life-changing event for me on the level of being a spiritual and cultural experience. It ranks among the best I have ever watched and is one of my all time favorites.

"With Fire and Sword" is based on the first of a trilogy written by Henryk Sienkiewicz. It takes place in the 17th century, when Poland's borders were much wider than they are today. However, it also a time when nearly all of its neighbors invaded its land throughout the century. This story has it all. It is a love story and a war story. It is fairly lengthy, but considering it is an epic and covers an intricate story with so much happening, I loved every minute and feel it needs the time to fully portray the story.

Although the film should not be taken as an exact history, it is remarkable how many of the historical details do match up. In my study of this time by reading and though my involvement with a 17th century Polish-Lithuanian living history group, I am amazed on the volume of fine details that are accurate in the film. Regardless, the film is not a documentary but entertainment and that it is without any doubt.

Even people unfamiliar with Polish cinema may recognize some of its actors. Izabella Scorupco, who plays the leading lady in this film also played in the English speaking films "GoldenEye" and "Reign of Fire." Two men with very prominent parts in this movie (Michal Zebrowski and Zbigniew Zamachowski) also have small parts in Roman Polanski's "The Pianist." If you enjoy long historical movies, "With Fire and Sword" is a must.

This DVD is the TV version of the film, which is broken into four parts, with credits at the end of each part. There are voiceovers when those speaking Ukrainian talk, which obstructs hearing them. Often, the only difference between the Ukrainian and Polish is the accent. Personally, I find the voiceover to be a little annoying. On the plus side, the TV version has a few extra minutes of footage not in the theater version.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good, January 18, 2007

By 

ML Mahler (Shoqeda, Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: With Fire and Sword (Ogniem i Mieczem), Parts 1 & 2 (DVD)

A very good film characterized by marvelous acting, a very good soundtrack, and maybe more historical realism than some audiences are ready for. The story takes place in 17th century Poland in the midst of the Polish-Zaporojan war. There is a romance set against the backdrop of hostility between the Poles and the Cossacks. An otherwise serious tale is offset by various humorous interludes (mostly centred around the supporting character of Sir Zagloba). Excellent historical fiction.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Stay away from this version! Missing subtitles!, January 29, 2008

By 

K. Birch (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: With Fire and Sword (Ogniem i Mieczem), Parts 1 & 2 (DVD)

Very disappointed by this two disc version.
1. They divided it into a 4 part screen play which doesn't flow as well as the movie
2. The subtitles often miss out part or are one sided so you miss what one character is saying completely.
3. There is a strange voice over some parts repeating what the characters just said in a monotone voice that completely ruins the movie and there is no way to turn it off.

This is a fantastic movie and one of my all time favourites, but steer clear of this version. Try to get the dual layer disc that has all the characters on the front cover.