Product Details

• Actors: Izabella Scorupco, Michal Zebrowski, Aleksandr Domogarov, Krzysztof Kowalewski, Bogdan Stupka
• Directors: Jerzy Hoffman
• Format: PAL, Subtitled, Widescreen, Import, Color
• Subtitles: English, French, Polish
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: TiM Film
• Run Time: 176 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B0029A4URS
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #314,731 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Poland released, PAL/Region free DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: SPOKEN LANGUAGE: POLISH (Dolby Digital 5.1), SUBTITLES: ENGLISH, FRENCH, POLISH, RUSSIAN, UKRAINIAN; SYNOPSIS: 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It changed my life!, August 19, 2009

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) (DVD)

"Fire and Sword" (Ogniem i Mieczem) was an important cinematic event in my own life, as this great Polish epic caught my attention and created my interest in Polish cinema. Its story, special effects, and the history I learned, simply amazed me. The movie had a life-changing effect one me personally, as a spiritual and a cultural experience of my Polish roots and cultural history. It ranks among the best cinema I have ever watched and is one of my all time favorite films.

"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 larger than today, and all of Poland's neighbors invaded the land. This story has it all; and is a love story and a war story. It is long (176 minutes), but considering the epic subject matter and intricate story, I loved every minute and feel it takes so long to fully tell the whole 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 in history, and through my involvement with a 17th century, Polish-Lithuanian living-history group, I am amazed at the accuracy of even minor details presented in this film. Regardless, the film is not a documentary, rather, it is, without a doubt, pure cinematic entertainment.

Even people unfamiliar with Polish cinema may recognize some of its actors. Izabella Scorupco, the leading lady, also played in many English speaking films, including "Golden Eye" and "Reign of Fire." Two prominent actors (Michal Zebrowski and Zbigniew Zamachowski) were also in Roman Polanski's "The Pianist." If you enjoy historical movies, "Fire and Sword" is a must.