With Fire and Sword

1999 2h 55m PL

👍

6.9

SOLID

★6.9TMDB · 113

WarRomanceDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In the mid-17th century, Poland was the largest, most democratic, and most tolerant country in Europe. However, a tragic civil war brought about the gradual decline of the once glorious republic... An epic story about the Cossack rebellion against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Izabella Scorupco
Helena Kurcewiczówna
Alexandr Domogarov
Jurko Bohun
Michał Żebrowski
Jan Skrzetuski
Krzysztof Kowalewski
Jan Onufry Zagłoba
Bohdan Stupka
Bohdan Chmielnicki
Andrzej Seweryn
Jeremi Wiśniowecki
Zbigniew Zamachowski
Michał Wołodyjowski
Wiktor Zborowski
Longinus Podbipięta

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jerzy Hoffman
Writers: Jerzy Hoffman, Andrzej Krakowski
Languages: Turkish, Polish, Tatar, Ukrainian
Countries: Poland

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Clocks in at 175 minutes — on the longer side of feature-length cinema.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

27 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 4 languages: Turkish, Polish, Tatar, Ukrainian.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Part of the "Henryk Sienkiewicz's Trilogy" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Jerzy Hoffman, shot by Grzegorz Kędzierski. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Krzesimir Dębski. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Marcin Kot Bastkowski shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Izabella Scorupco and Alexandr Domogarov and Michał Żebrowski carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jerzy Hoffman directs. Grzegorz Kędzierski behind the camera. Krzesimir Dębski scores. Marcin Kot Bastkowski cuts. A long sit — settle in. Produced in Poland. Dialogue in Turkish, Polish, Tatar, Ukrainian.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Clocks in at 175 minutes — on the longer side of feature-length cinema.
227 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Dialogue crosses 4 languages: Turkish, Polish, Tatar, Ukrainian.
4Part of the "Henryk Sienkiewicz's Trilogy" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
5Directed by Jerzy Hoffman, shot by Grzegorz Kędzierski. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Krzesimir Dębski. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Marcin Kot Bastkowski shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Izabella Scorupco and Alexandr Domogarov and Michał Żebrowski carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt0128378 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Grzegorz Kędzierski
Original score: Krzesimir Dębski
Editing: Marcin Kot Bastkowski
Production design: Andrzej Haliński
Costume design: Magdalena Biernawska-Teslawska
Makeup / hair: Mirosława Wojtczak
Runtime: 175 min · 2h 55m
Status: Released
Original language: PL
Certification (US): 16
IMDB: With Fire and Sword (1999)

Part of

Henryk Sienkiewicz's Trilogy

This trilogy explores key Polish historical events, showcasing the courage and resilience of the Polish people. The films depict duty, redemption, and struggle, set against the backdrop of 17th-century conflicts. Through epic battles and personal challenges, characters embody the spirit of defiance and hope that shaped Poland's history. These stories capture the essence of a nation determined to persevere, offering a vivid portrayal of Polish culture and emotions during this turbulent era.