7.7/10
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The Hourglass Sanatorium (1973)

Sanatorium pod Klepsydra (original title)
| Drama, Fantasy, Horror | 12 December 1973 (Poland)
The Hourglass Sanatorium Poster
Józef visits his dying father at a remote mental institution, where time itself doesn't seem to exist, and the line between dreams and memories becomes indistinguishable.

Director:

Wojciech Has (as Wojciech J. Has)

Writers:

Wojciech Has (as Wojciech J. Has), Bruno Schulz (story "Santorium pod Klepsydra")

Stars:

Jan Nowicki, Tadeusz Kondrat, Irena Orska | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
2 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

Photos

See all 45 photos »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jan Nowicki ... Józef
Tadeusz Kondrat 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 Seweryn Dalecki ... Teodor
Julian Jabczynski Julian Jabczynski ... Dignitary
Jerzy Przybylski ... Mr. de Voss
Wiktor Sadecki Wiktor Sadecki ... Dignitary
Janina Sokolowska Janina Sokolowska ... Nurse
Wojciech Standello Wojciech Standello ... Jew Interlocutor in Restaurant
See full cast »
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Storyline

The film depicts its protagonist, Joseph (Jan Nowicki), traveling through a dream-like world, taking a dilapidated train to visit his dying father in a sanatorium. When he arrives at the hospital, he finds the entire facility is going to ruin and no one seems to be in charge, or even caring for the patients. Time appears to behave in unpredictable ways, reanimating the past in an elaborate artificial caprice. Written by Mr Bongo

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

alternate reality | bed | book | soldier | time travel | See All (34) »

Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror

Certificate:

See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
Edit

Details

Official Sites:

Mr Bongo Films

Country:

Poland

Language:

Polish | Yiddish | Hebrew | Latin

Release Date:

12 December 1973 (Poland) See more »

Also Known As:

The Hourglass Sanatorium See more »

Filming Locations:

Drohiczyn, Podlaskie, Poland See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zespól Filmowy "Silesia" See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Wojciech Has worked on this project for five years. See more »

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User Reviews

 
Displaced from a modern American but still easy to appreciate
25 October 2016 | by ageorge-43975 – See all my reviews

Very fun to watch, some really thoughtful and cinematically awesome moments. I'm just a white little American kid so all the references to Polish Judaism which dominate this film aren't much I can understand or relate to. The cinematic transition where he's lost in thought and it zooms out through the flowers at around 19 minutes is one my favorite ever. I remember the first time I saw that how it had me sucked into that feeling of being lost in thought then snapping back to reality so well.

Worth watching even if you can't relate to the greater themes like me. Looking forward to seeing more from this director regardless of whether or not I can relate to it.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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