Il faraone

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.

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

The first time I have seen the movie Pharaon directed by Kawalerovicz I was just a teenager. The movie have punched me like only a few things during my teenage years (some other movies,rock'n'roll songs,girls...). I really didn't remember why I was so fascinated with the movie but I have memory that movie have "something". Therefore it was the movie I have always wanted to see again. Some 30 years later finally I have a chance to see it again. Restored version. Still impressive after all this years. Excellent camera. True colours. Ancient Egypt as I have always imagined. Fine balanced rythm. Easy moving plot, enough mysterious to keep our attention. Everlasting story. Pure masterpiece, giving everyone different experience. Message? Like every piece of art, 1000 people will see it from 1000 different points of view. One have to keep in mind that movie have been made by polish filmmaker in the middle 60's, not necessary oponent of the polish establishment at the time, author who maybe have a certain standpoint to non-secular matters. Specially keeping in mind his previous movie Joanne mother of angels. The movie is simply nice. Must see.

a subtle, bitter, cruel, cold story about the power. admirable adaptation of one of the important Polish novels of XIX century. and support of reflection about force of decisions and the value of good intentions. short, a great fascinating work. who impress not only for acting or costumes, fights and tension but for the realistic rebuild of an Egypt who becomes more than historical lesson. its grace, its terrible force of image and dialog, the new sense of a language who is perfect cloth for the story are virtues of a film who remains, almost half century, fascinating. and useful for understand history as a strange vehicle.

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.