The horror of Widziadlo is that of being caught in between. Between past and present, between passion and reason, Christian and Pagan tradition, life and death. To be caught between opposites, pulled in different directions and steadily realising they may be irreconcilable, this is the core of the film. Well off landowner Piotr is the chief object of these opposing forces, making a life for himself, his son Pavel and second wife Ola in a large manor house in whose grounds his first wife Angelika endures. Son, wife and all around are drawn in, Piotr's deceptions and evasions of others and himself bringing grave consequences. Though to be fair one could be forgiven for wondering where exactly the film is heading, as it's very much a slow burning piece, layering place and atmosphere, weaving threads of character and relationship, the plot not so much some bright path but a coalescence of impressions from gradually building incidents. It definitely helps to have a natural yen for this sort of thing as traditional jolts are fairly few, though effective when they come. Mostly the film thrives on ace cinematography, olden romantic grandeur darkened by drear wet pall of autumn spiked with moments of beautiful eerie fantasy, and quality performances across the board thickening even quietest moments with unease. Roman Wilhelmi carries the film well as sad Piotr, sanity ebbing as he stoically does his best to stay on top of things, backed by Marzena Trybala as the yearning, hurt and frustrated Ola. Mariusz Benoit brings a dash of rational outsider force quite well too, though I'm sure to many the highlight will be the stunning Dorota Kwiatkowska as Angelika, mostly either naked or clad in flimsy veil, her sinister allure recalls somewhat the women of Jean Rollin films. Nudity from several others too, including lovely Monika Braun as a seductive deaf peasant girl with a certain perversity to her sexuality. Altogether its a fine slice of sensual Gothic cinema, classy yet well versed in the power of carefully applied kink. Certainly not for everyone, but to me a definite little winner, and a film that makes me eager to seek out more Polish horror. Strong 7/10 from me.
5 Reviews
Average as a horror, good as a movie
majdo00728 October 2008
Piotr Strumieński (played by excellent Roman Wilhelmi) is an owner of a manor at the beginning of the 20th century. He lives with his second wife Ola (Marzena Trybała) but he is haunted by memories about his first spouse Angelika (Dorota Kwiatkowska). Angelika in visions foretells that Piotr won't be happy with any other woman. Piotr cannot forget Angelika's perfect body, this causes his second wife to have an affair with her cousin Mariusz (Mariusz Benoit). Meanwhile his son Paweł has first sexual experiences with Kseńka (Monika Braun), local deaf peasant girl.
Like a typical Polish horror this flick is full of gloomy colours and a bit of depressing, decadent atmosphere however not as much as in "Wilczyca". Instead of greyness, the dominating colour is brown characteristic for Polish autumn. It also contains of plenty of nudity (full frontal). Unfortunately it is pretty boring, but still enjoyable in general. In the end, it should definitely be watched by fans of Polish horror movies. The cast is also very good. Simply as a horror movie I can hardly rate it higher, especially in comparison to "Medium" or even "Wilczyca".
Like a typical Polish horror this flick is full of gloomy colours and a bit of depressing, decadent atmosphere however not as much as in "Wilczyca". Instead of greyness, the dominating colour is brown characteristic for Polish autumn. It also contains of plenty of nudity (full frontal). Unfortunately it is pretty boring, but still enjoyable in general. In the end, it should definitely be watched by fans of Polish horror movies. The cast is also very good. Simply as a horror movie I can hardly rate it higher, especially in comparison to "Medium" or even "Wilczyca".
A photo-book come to life
Groverdox9 November 2018
"The Phantom", or "Widziadlo", is one of those movies that feels like a photo book come to life. As is usually the case with such movies, things like plot and characterisation get short shrift to the pretty pictures, and an hour and a half of looking at photos can get a tad boring.
The film does have a plot buried in there somewhere amongst all the dazzling imagery. Set in the early twentieth century, a Polish guy has remarried but is still haunted by the image of his first wife. His new bride has taken a lover. Meanwhile, his son is dilly dallying with a beautiful young servant girl who apparently can't speak, and nor can she do up her bodice.
The film has a lot of nudity, but I disagree with the reviewer who says it's sleazy. It's the arty nudity crap that you get from, yes, photo books. It suits the film's look entirely.
The movie has many decent moments, but nothing to really string them together. I was occasionally interested in it, but mostly I was just waiting for it to end.
The film does have a plot buried in there somewhere amongst all the dazzling imagery. Set in the early twentieth century, a Polish guy has remarried but is still haunted by the image of his first wife. His new bride has taken a lover. Meanwhile, his son is dilly dallying with a beautiful young servant girl who apparently can't speak, and nor can she do up her bodice.
The film has a lot of nudity, but I disagree with the reviewer who says it's sleazy. It's the arty nudity crap that you get from, yes, photo books. It suits the film's look entirely.
The movie has many decent moments, but nothing to really string them together. I was occasionally interested in it, but mostly I was just waiting for it to end.
Polish erotic fantasy horror.
HumanoidOfFlesh30 November 2009
"Widziadlo" by Marek Nowicki is pretty notable for Polish fantasy/horror genre as it features plenty of sleaze and full-frontal nudity.The film is very loosely based on Karol Irzykowski's novel.The beginning of XX century.Piotr Strumienski lives with his wife Ola in a small villa.He is constantly haunted by memories of his tragically deceased wife Angelica.Ola has enough of his obsessions and she has a romance with her cousin.Piotr has one son with Ola named Pawelek with whom he shares his haunting memories.A young deaf village girl tries to seduce Pawelek...This lurid Polish horror melodrama is well-shot and quite atmospheric.Dorota Kwiatkowska who plays the naked spirit of Angelica has to be one of the sexiest Polish actresses ever.The sight of her riding naked on horse is a joy to behold.Anna Chodakowska,Hanna Mikuc,Marzena Trybala and Monika Braun also provide some nudity.8 out of 10.
A wildly atmospheric (horror) fairytale.
punishmentpark22 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The third and final old-fashioned* horror tale I saw from the 'horrory' DVD-box (Merlin.pl - in Polish, but paypal accepted!). All (three) films deal with modern life versus folklore. Here, it seems, folklore 'wins'...
In another review here on IMDb I read that the film was boring, but I disagree - the story unfolds slowly most of the time, but there is plenty going on. Just like the other two in the box, this film is very atmospheric, even if it may look somewhat dated (the acting plays a part in that as well).
The countryside (fairytale-like) environment is a prominent element here, with lots of matching (again, fairytale-like) characters. Only in the end there is a little gore (in a terrific climax), but throughout there is plenty of sensual nudity - an important element storywise as well...
A good 8 out of 10, and (with 'Lokis' and 'Wilczyca') deserving a of another viewing real soon!
* Not intended as a negative connotation.
In another review here on IMDb I read that the film was boring, but I disagree - the story unfolds slowly most of the time, but there is plenty going on. Just like the other two in the box, this film is very atmospheric, even if it may look somewhat dated (the acting plays a part in that as well).
The countryside (fairytale-like) environment is a prominent element here, with lots of matching (again, fairytale-like) characters. Only in the end there is a little gore (in a terrific climax), but throughout there is plenty of sensual nudity - an important element storywise as well...
A good 8 out of 10, and (with 'Lokis' and 'Wilczyca') deserving a of another viewing real soon!
* Not intended as a negative connotation.
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