Time of Honor (2008– ) User Reviews

The most ambitious WW2 series ever!!!

[chrissso · 9/10 · 22 May 2017]

Kudos to the Pols! Clocking in over seven seasons … 90 episodes in total … Czas Honour (Time of Honor) is the most ambitious WW2 series ever produced! Beyond ambition, it's also expansive … illustrating a fascinating and chaotic moment in Polish and world history (1940 to 1946).

Czas Honour is an exceptionally well produced series; featuring compelling writing … historical accuracy … great casting … great music … great camera work … and superb CGI. Mostly, it tells a story that needs to be told, the story of Poland's WW2 experience.

History is told by the winners and Poland was not a winner in WW2. As a matter of fact Poland was perhaps the biggest loser … thrown under the bus by the Allies despite making a greater contribution than France ... economy & country left in ruins … population decimated (25% dead) … one occupier replaced by another … and 45 years of communism!

Alas the Iron Curtain put a squelch on the heroic and tragic stories of WW2 Poland but that curtain fell in 1989 and once again an independent Poland is able to speak for herself. This TV series is one of the greatest examples of this new found freedom and that is indeed interesting and stirring.

Be forewarned … initially Telewizja Polska (TVP) intended this to be a six season series that jumps over the tragic Warsaw Uprising (Powstanie) of August 1944. That's hard to understand as this is Poland's greatest WW2 story. Then the decision was made to add a seventh season that would go back in time and address the uprising in detail. That said when watching the series I recommend viewing the following sequence: S1 - S2 - S3 - S4 - S7 (Powstanie) - S5 - S6.

Finally a shout out to Telewizja Polska … why hasn't this series been released outside of Europe? There are over 10 million Pols in N American and 3 million in Brazil. Say it loud and say it proud!

I highly recommend this series for those so interested. It is very entertaining and provides great insight into the Polish WW2 experience!

9 of 10 stars!!!

POST: The second most ambitious WW2 series is Un Village Francais (A French Village) from 2010-2016. The series 6 seasons and 66 episodes … and IMHO was even better the Czas Honour

An Epic WW2 masterpiece

[wiltvid · 10/10 · 19 November 2011]

I own season 1, 2 and 3, all have English subtitles. Very easy on the eyes, and in big letters. The Story (based on the historical events) A group of Polish soldiers manages to escape German occupied Poland, after the capitulation of their army in September 1939. They are being trained in Britain as commando strike force specialists. After many month of training, they are being parachuted back to Poland to build resistance and sabotage cells. The movie does not only tell their story, but also that of their friends associates and families. Doing resistance work in Poland is extremely dangerous. The SS and Gestapo acts mercilessly and ruthlessly to any of their attempts of defiance. This miniseries is in no way a propaganda product, but a closely authentic portrait of a dreadful period. The German side is portrait fairly, they are not demonised nor dehumanized, but portrait as victims of their time. Off course there is now way to excuse the brutality and the atrocities, that some of them committed. The three whole seasons allow for some very interesting character developments,that don't fall into a formulas, some turns and twists are refreshingly unanticipated. The story has a nail biting suspenseful flow. If you have planned to watch one episode per evening, you will catch yourself watching 3 or 4. If you want to compare this miniseries to American or British productions, this miniseries scores on exceptional good acting, scriptwriting and historical authenticity. It does lack the huge budget and special effects of BAND OF BROTHERS, but does not have to hide behind the British series like FOYLES WAR, A PIECE OF CAKE, WINGS OF WAR and ISLAND OF WAR, just to name a few. For Polish TV, the computer CGI effects are quite awesome and inventive. There is some excellent work being done, by blending original black and white scenes in remade color scenes, with our main protagonists acting in it. I hope the seasons will continue, and go right up to the end of the war. I'm currently watching the end of season 2, and the German Wehrmacht has just started to invade the Sovietunion. I also noted that this Polish production is still using Stars from the time of the cold war, together with the younger generation. It works great ! As a German Canadian viewer, I noted that the polish actors portraying the Germans, doing an excellent job. You can take note of Austrian, Bavarian, Saxon and lower German accents, and follies. There are many films made about the Warsaw Ghetto, this movie goes into great detail to describe the tragedy. I would go so far and say, like no other. The viewer will also experience an ambiance of fear and desperation, as they will identifying themselves with the protagonists. At this stage, the Germans are still winning on all fronts, the German defeat at the gates of Moscow and Stalingrad has not happened yet..... Yet a believe in humanity and a final victory, keeps our protagonists not to despair.

Stunning narrative drama of WW2 anti-Nazi insurgency in Poland

[poland-estates · 10/10 · 15 September 2010]

This is one of the best TV drama series about WW2 I have ever seen. The DVD set with the English subtitles works fine for anglophone audiences. The depiction of how Poland's anti-Nazi resistance was organized and run is absolutely riveting. Interesting connection with the British Special Operations Executive (many characters are parachuted in from England) which rather knocks the socks off the relatively pantomime experience of Foyle's War. Strong female characters. Nice sub-plot about a romance between a Jewish girl and a Polish insurgent. Great shoot-outs with the Gestapo. There are good guys and bad guys of every nationality. This series is a vital addition to anyone with a WW2 collection that includes Band of Brothers and Foyle's War.

Minor complaints: some of the special effects are implausible (hand grenades do not cause flaming explosions, but a shower of shrapnel). The costumes all look too new and too cared-for to be plausible; the characters look too groomed and healthy for WW2 Poland. I would prefer the German characters to speak to each other in German rather than in Polish.

But as I say, these are minor issues that do not detract from the really excellent acting, directing and screenplay. Really engaging complexity, surprise and emotional engagement with the characters. The story lines are gripping and full of massive suspense, which compelled me to watch all 600 minutes (13 episodes) across a single weekend!

Series should especially be aired in every country with a Polish community e.g. USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia. It is a must buy for any 2nd or 3rd generation Poles wanting to get close to their roots, or anyone getting married to a Pole, or anyone about to do business in Poland, to learn about the country.

Grab a Polish beer, sit back, and enjoy!

Addictive atmospheric WWII series - German occupation of Poland in all its aspects

[arembows · 10/10 · 22 November 2013]

As a second generation Anglo-Pole I find this series (currently 6 series of 13 episodes) intense, informative and personally an eye opener. It explains a lot about Polish 'Emigracja' upbringing in the UK in the 50s and 60s. It is a must see for all of my generation and all who want to get to know and understand more about life in Poland during WWII.

You may have heard about what life was like under occupation, but this series shows it, with documentary footage incorporated into the episodes. It follows the work of a group of UK trained saboteurs (and their loved ones) parachuted back into Poland to help with the resistance, throughout the war years, and in the 6th (latest) series in the little known Polish resistance to communism that followed. It should be shown in England, the US and Australia and NZ - dubbed into English preferably, (with the dubbing correcting the minor criticism of Germans talking to each other in Polish perhaps).

It truly makes you feel the terror of occupation, enabling you to understand so much that went on then, and is going on now in some places in the world. I wish the BBC or maybe Channel 4 would take it up. A 7th series is I understand now being proposed, which will go back to the Warsaw uprising (not included in the original 5 wartime series.)

I have not seen anything like it in English TV or film. (The series on the Channel Islands occupation pales by comparison) Please adopt it someone!! All it needs is dubbing.

Great Series, definitely educational for young people from the former Iron block

[zyskgame · 10/10 · 13 October 2012]

My father (38y) watches these series religiously, I started watching them now and I really like it. There is something amazing about this series that pulls you in, and I am not even a big fan of the war movies, but I recommend this one for everyone who is interested in better understanding of Warsaw residents and Polish people during the crisis of war. It is not a fairy-tale like most of Hollywood productions but it's rather realistic movie based on a true story. The action of some episodes give the audience a remarkable joy of feeling the atmosphere of occupied Poland and the adrenaline goes up when you see those young, brave and heroic teenagers fighting for their freedom. Enjoy watching it.

David Zysk New York City

I love this series and I think everybody can like it.

[guniusiek · 3 October 2011]

Czas honor is one of the best series what I see. The only disadvantage is that if someone don't understand polish,has problem with find this series with English subtitles. This series and the vampire diaries, Doctor House are my favorite.

Czas honor is full of tension and acting is a very good level. Series very good shows the reality of those days. And like i said the only disadvantage is difficult availability. I'm sorry for my English, i'm still learning. What else can i say? You don't lost your time watching this TV series. Really worth. You have to looking this in internet if you really want watch this.

By far the best serial ever

[domfil · 10/10 · 23 September 2013]

I have never seen anything like that... so touching, moving and didactive serial, just obligatory to watch! Great acting, great action, you just can't resist watching another and another.. But it's not a typical serial - you don't waste your time on it! You learn about WWII and polish resistance.. What a shame that nobody knows how brave this nation was... I've heard that there are some serious plans to release this serial in England but even if it's not true, don't hesitate to buy "Time of Honor". Exepcts for all the adventages I mentioned, you can get an idea of what life was about 70 years ago, without Internet, facebook, mobiles and all this stuff which deprives our times from romanticism and feelings.

Superb WWII series

[marikasadkowska · 10/10 · 20 September 2016]

*Please continue to film "CZAS HONORU". I do not want this series to come to an end. This show hooks you in and I cannot stop watching so I beg you, please produce more seasons. Ideally up to season 10, or more.* =)

I am hooked! This show really illustrated the struggles of Poland's anti Nazi resistance. The action and suspense will make your heart pound. The meticulously thought out scenes are all interconnected. Nothing is black and white, each nationality has good and evil. The Nazis are portrayed accurately. The Warsaw ghetto is depicted in great detail.

I want the entire DVD set now! I enjoy shows that are unpredictable, that keep you guessing. With the budget that was available for this show, They did a superb job. You will not see grand explosions or expensive special effects, but you will definitely be absorbed with every emotion portrayed in this show. I wish this show was aired in the US.

*TIP* For English subtitles, if you are using Google Chrome, download the SUBBER app. Click "Extensions" in the menu. Search for Subber subtitle viewer. There you can search for subtitles for any show, in almost any language. If you are watching the first episode in season 1, search "Czas Honoru S01E01"

Strange ending

[Alex2082 · 10/10 · 30 September 2018]

Does anyone get the impression that there was going to be another season? Because I think that they really left if at medias res. A lot of unresolved issues.

Totallly engrossing

[gregdayton · 10/10 · 18 April 2020]

Not sure why this series is si unknown Tremendous and captivating Full of action with a dash of soap opera The story line is tremendous Worth seeing