Pharaon

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.

FARAON, aka PHARAOH, is about a power struggle between Rameses XIII, heir to the throne of an impoverished Egypt, and the temple priests, who are hoarding a vast treasury of gold (tribute to their gods). The film lacks the grand spectacle of Cecil B. DeMille, which is to say that it's probably a much more accurate depiction of ancient Egypt than the Hollywood versions you're used to seeing. Lots of political intrigue, several good battle scenes, and some really wild wigs! The liner notes to the DVD say that this was the most important film in the career of director Jerzy Kawalerowicz.

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 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.

This movie is about the fight between a Pharaoh (Ramses XIII) and the spiritual power. Almost all the historical details were revised by egyptologist. Show the little power of the Pharaohs in the New Empire.