By the beginning of WWI Poland did not exist as a country; it was partitioned among Russia. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and Prussia.. When war broke out Poland's nationalists saw an opportunity to to use the upheaval to procure the reinstatement and independence of Poland. The first priority was to defeat Tsarist Russia. The Poles were no supporters of the Central Powers but believed that the rest of the occupying powers could later be persuaded (or forced) to leave.
The formation of the Polish Legions was declared by Marshall Józef Pilsudski in August 1914 as independent formations of the Austro-Hungarian Army. The Legions only existed for two years (in 1916 they merged with other military formations) but participated in many battles and became one of the founding myths of modern Poland.
This movie covers the beginnings of the Legions and some of its initial battles, centering on three fictional characters, Legion members Józek and Tadeusz and Aleksandra, fighter and war nurse. There are Hollywood echoes, such as the heroic exploits of Józek and Tadeusz, and credibility is strained here and there such as in the blowing up of a bridge. The film does not really come together into a coherent whole, and it feels at times slow paced and overlong. It omits history, which possibly means it was aimed towards the Polish public. On the positive side, it does not preach or propagandize and contains some stirring war scenes such as a cavalry charge over enemy trenches. Production values and acting are of high level. It amply deserves to a watch.
