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IMDb > Sanatorium pod klepsydra (1973)

Sanatorium pod klepsydra (1973) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   328 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 45% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Wojciech Has (writer)
Bruno Schulz (stories)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Hour-Glass Sanatorium on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 December 1973 (Poland) more
Genre:
Plot:
Set in pre- World War II era. A young man is on a strange train to see his dying father in a sanatorium... more | add synopsis
Awards:
2 wins & 1 nomination more
User Reviews:
A beautiful puzzle that's complex and highly thought provoking! more (8 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Jan Nowicki ... Józef
Tadeusz Kondrat ... Jakub - Józef's father
Irena Orska ... Józef's mother
Halina Kowalska ... Adela
Gustaw Holoubek ... Dr. Gotard
Mieczyslaw Voit ... Blind Conductor
Bozena Adamek ... Bianka
Ludwik Benoit ... Szloma
Henryk Boukolowski ... Fireman
Seweryn Dalecki ... Teodor
Julian Jabczynski ... Dignitary
Jerzy Przybylski ... Mr. de Voss
Wiktor Sadecki ... Dignitary
Janina Sokolowska ... Nurse
Wojciech Standello ... Jew Interlocutor in Restaurant
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Hour-Glass Sanatorium (USA)
The Sandglass (International: English title) (informal title)
more
Runtime:
124 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Wojciech Has worked on this project for five years. more

FAQ

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19 out of 20 people found the following review useful.
A beautiful puzzle that's complex and highly thought provoking!, 25 May 2006
10/10
Author: NateManD from Bloomsburg PA

Did I watch this film or did I dream it. This may be your initial response after watching "the Hourglass Sanatorium". Those who are fans of Fellini, Jodorowsky, Peter Greenaway and Andrej Zulawski will feel right at home. Originally the film was based on a novel, and the story deals with a man who takes a train to see his sick father at a sanatorium. The sanatorium feels Gothic and abandoned. Time seems to be non existent there. Since time has slowed down the father goes on living and the son gets lost in the many rooms of the sanatorium. His journey is as comical as it is frightening. Memories and history become reality and the main character walks throughout many strange scenarios from the past and from his childhood. A simple action like crawling under a bed, can transfer him to a different time and place. Among the strange images in the film which are the most breathtaking are, the Jewish Rabbis breaking out into a song number, people who are part human and part wax figures, dead zombie like soldiers, people in strange bird masks, elephants, and odd philosophical discussions. This is one movie that is so complex and confusing that if you miss 1 minute (or even if you don't miss anything) you'll feel lost. After the film was over, I was left scratching my head; it was like I had just woken up from a bizarre dream. This is one of the most breathtakingly surreal film experiences I have ever had. Film is a visual art, so words can't come close to describing "the Hourglass Sanitorium". You have to see it for yourself!

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Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
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