Vabank

This is a debut movie from Juliusz Machulski , Polish director who is in Poland often called "Polish Spielberg" . He specialize in making comedies and "Vabank" is one of his best movies. It's a movie about con artists set in Warsaw in the 30's , before World War II.

The movie was made in the 80's in Poland during the communism , so the budget wasn't too big and the art-direction might look a little cheap for modern audiences . It's the script that is the star of movie . Full of Polish brisk humor and many small twists it's a pleasure to watch . The final is really surprising . It's also interesting that main hero is played by Jan Machulski father of the director and that the opening credits appear after 7 minutes of the movie.

Add to that a good direction , professional acting (good Jan Machulski as the hero , great Leonard Pietraszak as the villain) , elegant and catchy music by Henryk Kuźniar and a lot of charm – "Vabank" is must see for all movie lovers .

I give it 8/10.

With other reviewers stating this is "absolutely brilliant" and "best Polish movie ever" you wonder how great this movie will be. The truth is that it's passable, certainly for a 1981 movie, but it isn't the gem I was waiting for. I watched Vabank and Vabank II in a row so that I could compare them easilier. The first Vabank is okay to watch once and that's if you're not too picky. The acting was passable, nothing great either but it was okay. The "heist" was interesting to watch and made you want to watch the second Vabank (that turned out to be disappointing). The Polish language isn't a very pleasing language to listen to so that was also a negative point for me. As for the humor it's barely present, it's more about the heist than it's funny. In my humble opinion this movie is highly overrated, even for a Polish movie from that era.

I love this film since childhood. He is very popular in Russia. Great soundtrack. Great acting. I've watched this movie many times and every time I like it more and more. Thanks.

This movie is not well known but it's really worth watching. I don't know much about Polish cinema but this is probably one of the best Polish movies. It's very entertaining crime comedy. The budged of this film is pretty low but the plot, acting and directing compensate it. There isn't much jokes but the ending was really funny. It's also good as a crime movie. I liked the dialogs between criminals and also the way they planed bank robbery. If you get a chance to see this movie, don't waste it because it's really interesting (althau it may appear a little boring in the beginning). I also liked the style of these gangsters - the way they talked and worked reminded me of some Hollywood crime movies.

Polish cinema is not famous for its "entertainment" movies. At least, outside Poland. It is "artistic" and "dramatic" movies by early Polanski, Wajda and Kieslowski that were noticed and awarded throughout the world. And yet, there were few comedies that could be world hits or, at least, the European ones. They were in Poland and in east-Eueropean countries, especially in the Soviet Union. These are famous three by Juliusz Machulski: "Vabank", "Vabank 2" and "Seksmisja". "Vabank" - Machulski's debut is a precise and funny little masterpiece. The plot is twisted in "The Sting" style and is executed witch charm and wit. Acting, dialogs, music is superb; it's one of those unique films when every little detail falls into a right place. If You have any chance to rent it or catch it on TV, don't miss it. You won't be disappointed and surely You'll be interested in the sequel which (quite rare thing) is equally good.