The Devil (1972)
"Diabel" (original title)

During the Prussian army's invasion to Poland in 1793, a young Polish nobleman Jakub is saved from the imprisonment by a stranger who wants in return to obtain a list of Jakub's fellow ... See full summary »

Director:

Andrzej Zulawski

Writer:

Andrzej Zulawski

Stars:

Malgorzata Braunek, Michal Grudzinski, Iga Mayr

Cast

Credited cast:
Malgorzata Braunek	...	Bride
Michal Grudzinski	...	Ezechiel
Iga Mayr	...	Mother of Jakub
Bozena Miefiodow	...	Turks
Monika Niemczyk
Anna Parzonka	...	Sister of Jakub
Wojciech Pszoniak
Wiktor Sadecki
Leszek Teleszynski	...	Jakub

Storyline

During the Prussian army's invasion to Poland in 1793, a young Polish nobleman Jakub is saved from the imprisonment by a stranger who wants in return to obtain a list of Jakub's fellow conspirators. Following his mysterious saviour across the country, Jakub sees the overall chaos and moral corruption including his father's death and his girlfriend's betrayal. Being apparently demented by what he has seen, he commits a number of seemingly motiveless and gory killings.

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Plot Keywords:

poland | stranger | death | mother son incest | wolf | 

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Genres:

Drama | Horror

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Details

Country:

Poland

Language:

Polish

Release Date:

1972 (Poland)

Also Known As:

The Devil

Filming Locations:

Ksiaz, Walbrzych, Dolnoslaskie, Poland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zespól Filmowy "X"

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Brows Held High: Häxan (2012)

User Reviews

Surreal and demented.

The action of "Diabel" takes place in January 1793 during the year Prussian troops entered Poland.The Devil(brilliant Wojciech Pszoniak clad entirely in black) goes the prison of the monastery and takes a young nobleman Jakub(Leszek Teleszyński)along with a nun.Would-be regicide,clearly stunned by torture Jakub comes back in the company of a nun to see his family,but a meeting with parents,siblings,a friend and his girlfriend only intensifies obsession and bloodlust.The stranger gives him the razor to and tells "cleanse." James decides to settle accounts with their loved ones who have plunged into debauchery and moral betrayal and is losing the feeling of reality."Diabel" was banned by Polish communist regime during 1972-1988.It features some wonderfully surreal scenes and there is plenty of sleaze and bloody violence to enjoy.The castration with a rusty razor blade will certainly upset some male viewers.8 out of 10.