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Reviews
Zelazna reka (1989)
A real close look at a dark, and gritty, King Stefan Batory-era Poland full of intrigue...
I'd like to take the time to open some discussions on the film ZELAZNA REKA (With an) IRON HAND...I just watched this film again for about the 20th time, and couldn't help but notice things like the production's attention to the period-correct details of the costuming, which, IMO, appears to me even more accurate (if possible), than, say, the Sienkiewicz Trilogy films, like Fire & Sword, and Wolodyjowski. I also noticed, in the films' credits another familiar name as a technical adviser to the film, as was in 'With Fire & Sword': Tomasz Biernaski (sp?)... Clearly, well-before his work on 'Fire & Sword' he was at work on the 'militaria' aspects of this film too. I really wish there was someone we could contact who worked in detail on this film to help us know more about it. Unfortunately, also, this film most likely appeals to a very small interest crowd outside of Poland itself, such as re-enactors of this period, seeking more information about life in Central Europe at this era, like myself. Sadly, not much showing on the Husaria Cavalry until near the end, and, for under 30 seconds of non-action. There's a great soundtrack which, I wish was available, as well as wishing this obscure film was also available on DVD, with more information on it. I believe it sits up there, right alongside the Award-winning Sienkiewicz Trilogy films.
IRON HAND, like many other Polish subtitled films, really starts to make more sense to the viewer, after repeated viewings, because the sub-plots really start to become a lot more clearer. Much of the intrigue is really well-played by the actors because of their 'implied-meaning' of their looks in their eyes, even when not delivering a spoken line. Clearly, especially the relationship between the two leading characters Captain Szymon Mroczek and Cossack leader Samuel Zborowski has a long, and deep back-story not displayed in the film.
Their expressions really tell a lot of the story. In essence, the sub-plots are really good in the film, and like all deep films only reveal themselves upon those repeated viewings.
Is there anyone on the list here, who has the film (either thru me or on their own) who feels the same about this great, but dark, gritty look at 16th Century Batory-era Poland? If you don't own a copy of this film, I advocate procuring a copy and watching it. Repeatedly.
-Rik-
Musa (2001)
About the film MUSA-The Warrior
I recently had occasion to rent this film "MUSA (The Warrior)", from my local library. I think I vaguely remember a small blurb about it in the local paper some time ago, but never got around to seeing it. Boy, was it my mistake to miss THIS film on the big screen... (I'm going to rent it again).
Click on the link below, and you can read the various synopsis' of the film and all the essential elements of it. http://www.uk.imdb.com/title/tt0275083/#comment
Essentially it takes place in 1375 and involves the Koreans and the Chinese and the the fighting they do against the ancestors of the TARTARS, the early Mongols. Story: Excellent. FX: AWESOME. Characters ensemble: Very Good. It appears that they spared NO expense in the effects dept, nor, in the costuming & weaponry dept. How is it related to this list? It really helps one understand the developments and influence the early Mongols (and the East in general), had on the TATARS, and other Eastern influences that ultimately crept into Polish culture. Since I am the first person in U.S. History to re-enact the Polish Winged Hussars, I found this back information very relevant to my research. There was a similarity between this film and say 'With Fire & Sword', for instance. I saw some parallels, in the characters and themes, although in *entire scope*, this film blows away Fire & Sword.
Although there is gratuitous war carnage and decapitations and severed limbs in battle, blood by the gallons, arrows shot gratuitously into necks, eyes, heads, throats, etc.... I believe it is not gratuitous for the sake of itself, rather a necessary element for the storyline. War, especially back then was a gruesome deal, and to see it truly within it's context is very much an eye-opening thing. Although I highly advocate that the members here interested in early research SEE THIS FILM!, do NOT, let your kids see it. It's too intense for them. You'll really love the battle costuming, weaponry, bows, even down to the accurate stirrups used and pointed-toed boots used by the later generations of Eastern foes of Poland.
Subtitles are in Chinese, Korean and English. English being the best for us. If you can FIND a copy of this DVD to own, DO IT! It BELONGS in your home research library's. In either case, SEE THIS FILM! Feedback anyone? Cheers, Rik