Polish History (Cinema) on Youtube

Aging baby-boomers like myself (born in 1950), of Polish and/or mixed Polish background (I am Scottish, English and Norwegian through my mother but all Polish through my father), have had limited historical cinema about Poland to relate to our spouses and children.

The power of Youtube, and related media, allow my generation a medium of communication to introduce to our less-understanding friends, siblings and offspring, the rich, but complicated history of Poland,  hitherto unavailable. Consider the movie Taras Bulba (1962) and the links below on Youtube. Historical inaccuracy aside, it was just nice to watch a major film depicting Polish heritage, albeit from a Ukrainian/Cossack perspective. Some former links on Youtube have changed recently and I have had to update to the best that I can find at this time:

• Taras Bulba Opening - French language version
• Romantic Scene Andrzej and Natalia (Great Music- The Wishing Star)
• Yul Brynner Clip

Then I just discovered this link to a new Ukrainian cinematic version (2008) Taras Bulba - Teaser (2008).  The movie was delayed to April 2009 for release, see Taras Bulba - IMDb. And here is a another trailer.

The Nobel award winning historical trilogy of Henryk Sienkiewicz was made into film, most recently in reverse order of the novels:

• Pan Wolodyjowski (1969)
• Potop [The Deluge] (1974)
• Ogniem i Mieczem [With Fire and Sword] (1999)

• With Fire and Sword Excerpt
• But watch out for this Johnny Comes Marching Home interpretation. One could argue it is appropriate music by the person who created it because the events depicted could be interpreted as Civil War. Yet, the creator called this Ukraine and Poland War 1648 which is not accurate. It was a rebellion of Cossacks, aided by Tatars, against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. 
• Having just said this check this bardzo primo contemporary Polish Youtube entry
• Here is a version without the lyrics of above. Sometimes things get lost in translation: contemporary Polish Youtube entry (without lyrics)

Now, new historical productions: 

• Polish/Russian History ca 1612. The Time of Troubles describes Russian history, 1610-13. During this time Polish forces intervened in Russian affairs and even occupied Moscow very briefly. I suspect from this movie excerpt that is the historical context??

Lindy Kasperski
April 2009