Vabank

In my opinion Vabank is definitely the best Polish crime comedy of all times.

Great casting, acting, dialogues and overall atmosphere. And the plot is so cool you are impressed every time you watch it.

I don't how the jokes sound translated into English, but in Polish they are top notch. And you will appreciate it even more after watching tons of expensive Hollywood unfunny crime comedies.

Also the attention to detail when it comes to cars, interiors, costumes is really impressive. This movie really has everything. If you got a chance definitely check it out!

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 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.

I must say that I'm little dissatisfied reading these "plot summaries" where authors say "Kwinto has only revenge in his mind". That is misconception quite common. In fact the film director shows it clearly enough to learn that Kwinto has no revenge in mind. It is likely he will accept the money from Kramer if only Kramer haven't killed his best friend. This murder is the only reason why he decide to take revenge on Kramer and we can see it clearly.

The film itself is a real masterpiece. One can feel as if it was really made in the thirties not fifty years later. Also the language used in the film would be found archaic today but it is how they were talking in the 30's. The plot is dynamic and interesting without any "blackholes of boredom" which are common in many polish films.