Il faraone

This film is a lovingly rendered meditation on the dissolution of an ancient dynasty. The slow and stately pace matches centuries of the oppressive weight of ossified tradition bearing down on a dying culture, symbolized by the dead stone colossi and gargantuan architecture. There are moments of great beauty realized in its passing, such as the lovely sequence of fowling from a punt in the marshes, and the opening scene of divination on the battlefield by means of observing the movements of the sacred scarab dung beetles. Without a doubt, the most convincing depiction of those fascinating past people to date on the screen

an important Polish novel. a special film, precise adaptation of the first. and atmosphere of an old empire. short - a kind of parable about power, illusion and generous plans. after decades, its basic force source is the delicacy of details and performances. the slow images, the links between politic and religion, economy and need of change, the supremacy of a group against the king will , the fragility of a young leader and the fall of each great state. the music, the images and the hard work to create a remarkable film. the emotions and the spirit of lost world. more than adaptation of Prus masterpiece, it is reflection of profound roots of each period. and that fact does it not only a form of history lesson but a seed for reflection about present.

Interesting movie. Beautiful costumes and sites. The costumes look very much original. Should be longer: 6 to 12 hours. Worth having it in your own DVD library, if you like history movies. This particular edition has only English dubbed version; I wish that it had the original Polish version as well.

This is the kind of movies which impression lasts more than you may expect. That is because FARAON throws fundamental questions about power, religion and a not so usual element in the movies, economy. And from a very realistic approach, surrounded by intrigues and superstition. That was, probably, the world in Ancient Egypt.

The cinematography goes flawless, with powerful visuals, and slow pace. Performance conveys audience to states of anguish, uncertainty, fear, rage, and often sensuality, with a perfect theatrical top class acting, and economy of means.

Only the music from Adam Walacinski lags a bit behind, and would benefit from some more ambition.

A classic from 1966 which track no other movie has followed.

It is a tale about power and politics and it is close to the Greek tragedy where there is no right choice. It is about Religion and about State - but there are no references to the history of Poland and the particular relation of Catholic Church and the Polish State. Please do not force it into a shape that it does not fit at all.

And by the way the characterization of the priests as corrupt is a misunderstanding - this is only how the immature and rather shortsighted main character sees them.

I have seen that film many times, since it is replayed quite often by the public TV here, I loved it's style since the first time - but I regarded it as a rather boring. It's only recently that I've found interest in it's main subject and that changed my attitude.