Lotna - uhrimielen sankaruus

Original title: Lotna

19591959
K-16K-16
1h 30m

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

441

YOUR RATING

Drama War

Poland, during the World War. Lotna is a magnificent specimen of Arabian horse, the pride of her owner, too old to actually ride her but to whom she remains faithful nevertheless. The Polish... Read allPoland, during the World War. Lotna is a magnificent specimen of Arabian horse, the pride of her owner, too old to actually ride her but to whom she remains faithful nevertheless. The Polish cavalry army is also proud of their land, and loyal to rules, and custom. The German army... Read allPoland, during the World War. Lotna is a magnificent specimen of Arabian horse, the pride of her owner, too old to actually ride her but to whom she remains faithful nevertheless. The Polish cavalry army is also proud of their land, and loyal to rules, and custom. The German army is leading an overwhelming speed attack with tanks, an almost unheard of weapon, and brin... Read all

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

441

YOUR RATING

Director
- Andrzej Wajda
Writers
- Andrzej Wajda
- Wojciech Zukrowski(screenplay)
Stars

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Photos15

Jerzy Pichelski in Lotna - uhrimielen sankaruus (1959)

Adam Pawlikowski in Lotna - uhrimielen sankaruus (1959)

Mieczyslaw Loza and Adam Pawlikowski in Lotna - uhrimielen sankaruus (1959)

Marian Lacz and Adam Pawlikowski in Lotna - uhrimielen sankaruus (1959)

Jerzy Moes in Lotna - uhrimielen sankaruus (1959)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The film is criticized by many historians for strengthening a propaganda myth of the Polish cavalry charging German tanks. In fact, the Polish cavalry never charged tanks, leave alone absurd slashing them with sabres. The main tactics of the cavalry was fighting on feet, and there were only several charges against infantry in 1939. On only one occasion, at Krojanty, the cavalry group was surprised by a fire of German armored cars, but did not try to charge them, and got away with moderate losses.

Connections
Featured in Lawa. Opowiesc o 'Dziadach' Adama Mickiewicza (1989)

User reviews6

Review

Featured review

10/10

Magnificent Allegory

I am really surprised at the score here. I will, in my scale give it somewhere in the range 8 to 8.5 (the extra marks are to balance for nay-sayers)

The story revolves around the heroine - a mare Lotna - in this case, and its various owners. All of them from the Cavalry - fighting their last stand against invading German Army during the WW2. Each of her owner is dogged by misfortune - getting killed in the war within days of having her under his control.

On first glance it looks as if she was the harbinger of bad-luck. But was she really ? Her original owner - had her from foal, in fact was the offspring of his own prize horse. And he didn't had any bad luck, if he died, which wasn't shown, must have been of old age. But once, with the Germans Army approaching, he gave the reins to the cavalry men (lest she became enemies property), the death started stalking - but along with the death there were also fortune/ luck. Each of the owners had it, before finally letting fate take over.

As an Allegory - it reminded me of Au Hasard Balthazar - another masterpiece - from another stable - and of course another animal, a donkey instead of the huge Arabian Mare.

In this case what did Lotna symbolise ?

As i see it - she symbolises the freedom, the pride, the spirit of a nation. It isn't limited to Poland, it is of any nation, any civilisation. One doesn't own or try to control it to his/her commands. If one attempts - the history would tell - from Alexander the Great to Napoleon to Hitler - with a great fortune in the beginning, untold misfortune (and death) will follow. The end also is apt on this angle - when the people get jealous and bicker over it, the result would be naturally what was depicted.

Probably it is necessary to watch it a few times and imbibe in, to get the message. Like Au Hasard, this too is told more like a story - which though well paced - or may be because of that - the message would be missed.

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