Review of Vabank

Vabank (1981)
10/10
Absolutely Brilliant!
20 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This film is not only one of the best ever made in Poland, this is the work that was and is extremely popular in my country, Russia. Elegant humor, brilliant script, impeccable play of all actors made this film a classic which it fairly remains to be now. It's hard to believe that it was filmed in 1982, in the middle of the political and social turmoil which besotted Poland that time, the country was on the brink of a civil war, but one will never even guess it while watching the movie. It's all thanks to the genius of Juliusz Machulski, the director, script writer and the brother of Jan Machulski who played the main hero, Kwinto. The film takes place in the 1930's, before the war and when Poland was still rich and booming. Kwinto is a famous bank robber, as well as a prominent jazz trumpeter (the soundtrack to the film is another winner; main theme is a sheer elegant Dixie tune). He comes back from the prison and learns that one of his friends is killed, that his wife had gone to another man, and that the greedy and mean bank director Gustav Kramer is in fact the very man who had helped Kwinto to go to jail and who had helped his friend to be killed. Thus, the revenge starts. Kwinto is helped by his old pal Dunczyk, extremely funny and smart crook, two slightly silly but workaholic bandits and a beautiful lady Natasza, played by then young and now very famous Elzbieta Zajacowna. The whole gang starts a devilishly clever plan and finally Kwinto achieves his main aim – money is returned to all victims of Kramer's black deeds, Kramer himself is in prison, and the happy gang is merrily celebrating the event. This is a pale and colorless description; you really have to see it to feel the brisk Polish humor, comic gags, and unbelievable twists of plot. Watch it; this is the brilliant classic of Soviet era Polish cinema – breezy, fresh and utterly smart
31 out of 31 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed