Polish Cinema on Disc

[Numéro 2]

Just got the set and can confirm that the Zulawski on Zulawski doc has English subtitles as well - something I was thrilled about, as I've been wanting to see this ever since I first heard about it.

[petoluk]

Here's the "review" of Diabel - I didn't have time to compile my notes, but the screenshots are there + a few examples of the more exciting print damage. (About the white speckles I mentioned before - the frames I captured are the better looking ones, but watching this in motion makes you think the snow is falling in front of your telly... )

Cheers!
Peto

[menthymenthy]

Thanks, Petoluk. Are you also doing a review for Third Part/Silver Globe also?

The transfer looks much better than that Polart transfer - it being in native PAL probably helped a great deal. Did you notice many spelling errors and the such with the subtitles?

[petoluk]

Thanks, Petoluk. Are you also doing a review for Third Part/Silver Globe also?

The transfer looks much better than that Polart transfer - it being in native PAL probably helped a great deal. Did you notice many spelling errors and the such with the subtitles?

Hi there!

I just added a few comments to the review. And yes - I plan to review the other 2 films, but it'll take a while - I'm busy as hell these days.

Anyway, Diabel's transfer sure does look better than PolArt's (but to be fair, I haven't seen the other disc - just DVDBeaver's screenshots). And the subs - well, I'm pretty certain I didn't notice any errors, but I understand Polish a bit, so I was not keeping my eyes on the subs all the time + I'm not a native English speaker, so I might have missed something...

Cheers!
Peto

[der_Artur]

Plac Zbawiciela: I had this one sitting on my shelf for over 2 years now, and finally came around to watch it. The movie tells the story of a woman suffering various kinds of psychological and economical abuse from her mother in law and her husband, while at the same time trying to succeed as a mother and built a life of her own. In the more claustrophobic scenes it reminded me of Tarr's "Family Nest", in its camera-work of the Dardenne-brothers and in general left me really depressed.
The English subtitles for the movie are good, at least in the one scene I had them on. Supplements unfortunately aren't subtitled, esp. since the featured interview is very good. Nonetheless I highly recommend.

[eltopo]

Faraon (1966)

Comparison:

DVD Best Film (Poland) 2001


2DVD E-M-S (Germany) 2005


DVD - Best Film (Poland)


2DVD E-M-S (Germany)


DVD Best Film (Poland)


2DVD E-M-S (Germany)


DVD Best Film (Poland)


2DVD E-M-S (Germany)

[L.A.]

Test pilota Pirxa (1978)

English subtitled DVD would be more than welcome!

[L.A.]

Wilcze echa (1968)

This Polish western seems to have three different DVD releases. Does any of these releases have English subtitles?

[der_Artur]

Wilcze echa (1968)

This Polish western seems to have three different DVD releases. Does any of these releases have English subtitles?

I have never seen Merlin not mentioning subtitles if there were some - and they mention only polish subs for these DVDs.

[MichaelB]

I have never seen Merlin not mentioning subtitles if there were some - and they mention only polish subs for these DVDs.

Merlin isn't reliable on the question of subtitles - they still say that Marcel Łoziński's How It's Done and Jerzy Skolimowski's Four Nights With Anna are unsubtitled, though I'm happy to confirm that each actually has unusually conscientious English subs (the Łoziński supplies contextual footnotes as well as a translation, while the Skolimowski subtitles were personally supervised by the film's co-writer).

And they've also committed the cardinal crime of claiming English subtitles on discs that don't actually have them - for instance Rysa.

So you'd be mad not to double-check.

[L.A.]

If Polish silent cinema interests, then Henryk Szaro's crime drama Mocny człowiek (1929) is a film worth checking out.

Available on DVD with English subtitles.

[MichaelB]

I haven't taken the shrinkwrapping off the individual discs yet, but I can confirm that all five titles in Vision's Krzysztof Zanussi box set (The Structure of Crystals, 1969; Illumination, 1972; Camouflage, 1977; The Silent Touch, 1993; Persona non grata, 2004) seem to have English subtitles where necessary - The Silent Touch being in English to begin with.

[L.A.]

I haven't taken the shrinkwrapping off the individual discs yet, but I can confirm that all five titles in Vision's Krzysztof Zanussi box set (The Structure of Crystals, 1969; Illumination, 1972; Camouflage, 1977; The Silent Touch, 1993; Persona non grata, 2004) seem to have English subtitles where necessary - The Silent Touch being in English to begin with.

That's good to know. Thank you for the info!

[lubitsch]

I haven't taken the shrinkwrapping off the individual discs yet, but I can confirm that all five titles in Vision's Krzysztof Zanussi box set (The Structure of Crystals, 1969; Illumination, 1972; Camouflage, 1977; The Silent Touch, 1993; Persona non grata, 2004) seem to have English subtitles where necessary - The Silent Touch being in English to begin with.

You didn't accidentally try your luck with At Full Gallop and Family Life regarding subtitles?
I'm still eagerly awaiting the publication of the 4th 50 Years box ...

[MichaelB]

You didn't accidentally try your luck with At Full Gallop and Family Life regarding subtitles?

No, I thought one gamble was enough! And I knew that some of the films in the Zanussi box were English-friendly before ordering, though it's a very pleasant surprise that they all were. I'll update my Polish DVD overview once I've actually played the discs, in line with my absolute rule that that's the only 100% reliable source.

I've checked numerous websites about the other two, but haven't found even the merest hint that they have English subtitles. But I'll be spending about half of July in Poland, so hopefully I'll get a chance to handle actual DVD packages in shops - they at least tend to be accurate about languages (I've only come across one example of a disc whose packaging promised English subtitles but failed to deliver).

[MichaelB]

OK, I got a Polish friend to do some proper research, and I can now confirm for certain that the second Zanussi box (At Full Gallop and Family Life) do not have English subtitles.

However, another Zanussi box is apparently imminent (not sure of titles yet), and apparently these will be English-friendly. More info when I get it.

I've just come back from Poznań with a suitcaseful of DVDs (the złoty is usefully weak right now), and once I get a chance to give them a spin I'll post a major update to my Polish DVD subtitles list. These include titles like Kasia Adamik's The Offsiders (Boisko bezdomnych) - I couldn't find any info online about English subtitles, but the back of the box definitely promises them.

[MichaelB]

I've finally pulled my finger out and started examining discs purchased since my roundup of Polish-label DVDs. All new titles have been added to the main list, but here's a handy roundup of all the additions. As before, these are based on first-hand examination of the DVDs themselves, so this list should be completely reliable unless the distributors reissue them with changed specs without warning.

Completely English-friendly

Action Animation (Akcja Animacja)
PWA, 4:3 (letterboxed where necessary)
This collection of 33 recent Polish animated shorts not only offers English menus, optional subtitles, biographies and essay but you can even choose English or Polish spine text.

Kalkwerk (d. Krystian Lupa, 1992)
PWA, 4:3, optional Polish, English, German, Russian or French subtitles, Polish or English menus, accompanying book with Polish and English texts.

The Tempest (Burza d. Krzysztof Warlikowski, 2008)
PWA, 16:9 anamorphic, optional Polish, English, German, Russian or French subtitles, Polish or English menus, accompanying book with Polish and English texts. NB: English subtitles are adapted from the original Shakespeare text.

English subtitles on main feature

Edi (d. Piotr Trzaskalski, 2002)
SPI, 1.85:1 anamorphic (heavily windowboxed for some reason), Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS ES soundtracks, optional English subtitles on main feature, no subtitles on (extensive) extras.

Hope (Nadzieja, d. Stanisław Mucha, 2007)
TiM Film Studio, 1.85:1 anamorphic, optional English subtitles on main feature but not extras.

The Offsiders (Boisko bedzomnych, d. Kasia Adamik, 2008)
Gutek Film, 16:9 anamorphic transfer, Dolby 2.0 and 5.1 soundtracks, English subtitles on main feature but not on basic extras. NB: Box says region 2, but disc is region-free.

Polish Debuts 2006 (Polskie debuity 2006, shorts collection)
Kino Świat, 4:3 (letterboxed where necessary), optional English subtitles on the films, but biographical info in Polish only.

33 Scenes From Life (33 sceny z życia, d. Małgorzata Szumowska, 2008)
Kino Świat, 16:9 anamorphic transfer, English subtitles on main feature but not on basic extras. NB: Box says Region 2 but disc is region-free.

The Welts (Pręgi, d. Magdalena Piekorz, 2004)
Vision, 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer, Dolby 5.1 and DTS soundtracks, English subtitles on main feature but not on extras.

Television Series

Londoners (Londyńczycy, d. Maciej Migas/Greg Zgliński, 2008)
Telewizja Polska, 16:9 anamorphic, Dolby 5.1, Polish and English dialogue with compulsory Polish subtitles on the latter, plus optional English or Polish HOH subtitles. Audio description is in Polish and unsubtitled (which would be a bit pointless under the circumstances...). A printed four-page insert in Polish only.

More than Life at Stake (Stawka więkzsa niż życie, 1968)
4:3, black and white, optional English subtitles, no extras. Almost entirely English-friendly aside from the Polish-only packaging and menus.

[MichaelB]

However, another Zanussi box is apparently imminent (not sure of titles yet), and apparently these will be English-friendly. More info when I get it.

I now have a copy in my hand (possibly an advance copy: there's a big Zanussi retrospective at the Era New Horizons festival in Wrocław, where I currently am): it's another of those Telewizja Kinopolska boxes (following on from Skolimowski, Holland and Żuławski), featuring three features and a documentary, all with English subtitles.

The features are The Balance (Bilans kwartalny, 1974), Spiral (Spirala, 1978) and Zanussi's best-known film The Year of the Quiet Sun (Rok spokojnego słońca, 1984), plus the 2004 Zanussi-themed documentary Anxiety (Niepokój), directed by Krzysztof Tchórzewski. I haven't got the shrinkwrapping off yet, but English subtitles are explicitly promised on all four titles on the back of the box.

[Fiery Angel]

Well, hurry up and get that pesky shrinkwrapping off!

[Grenasse]

Hi.

As you can see I'm fairly new here but it doesn't mean I am new to whole film stuff and so forth. Few years ago I luckily graduated film school (theoretical). As far as I remember we had a lot of problems to see many films and we had to d/l them or buy through strange and different ways on some pirate copies. Anyway. Some time ago (a nice one) I've noticed that out there are plenty of companies which do a great job. That's how my simple story ends at Criterion, Eureka etc companies. Nothing new I guess. I wanted just to tell you - since I can see probably I am one of the few Polish film fans here (I know I'm not alone) - I feel that I want to help you in any way I can comprehend.

There are many things I am not familiar with in the world cinema and that's why I am here too. Though years of educating one can only see how many things are waiting to know. There were years when I was participating few forums, mainly in my country but then I just didn't have time to get more deeply into them...and then during collecting movies from the greatest I just noticed this forum. I wish I could do so much, much earlier

I need time to introduce myself to those many interesting threads but right asap I would love to help you guys in this case (Polish cinema) or whatever I feel a little bit qualified.

MichaelB: It's a shame we don't know each other cause naturally I was at Era New Horizons in Wrocław. There is no better place to met than at the such festival Well..."What goes around comes around". You do amazing job here - not only cause of your Eastern European cinema concern but generally. Secondly your posts are mainly the first I've been reading since I got stuck here.

Regards
Michael

[MichaelB]

Well, hurry up and get that pesky shrinkwrapping off!

OK, I've finally got the pesky shrinkwrapping off this and other titles purchased in Wrocław last week, and here are my findings. As before, all titles below have been added to the main list, which I've also rejigged slightly so that box sets get their own section.

Completely English-friendly

0_1_0 (d. Piotr Łazarkiewicz, 2008)
Gutek Film, 2.35:1 anamorphic, optional English subtitles on main feature, no extras.

Angelus (d. Lech Majewski, 2000)
SPInka, 1.85:1 non-anamorphic, optional English subtitles on main feature, no extras.

Capital, or How To Make Money in Poland (Kapitał czyli jak zrobić pieniądze w Polsce..., d. Feliks Falk, 1990)
Best Film Co, 1.78:1 anamorphic (slightly windowboxed), Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 soundtracks, optional English subtitles on main feature, no extras.

Game Is Over (Koniec gry, d. Feliks Falk, 1991)
Best Film Co, 1.85:1 anamorphic, Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 soundtracks, optional English subtitles on main feature, no extras.

Twists of Fate (Korowód, d. Jerzy Stuhr, 2007)
TiM Film Studio, 2.35:1 anamorphic, optional English subtitles on main feature, no extras.

English subtitles on main feature

Demons of War (Demony wojny według Goi, d. Władysław Pasikowski, 1998)
Vision, Region 2, 1.66:1 anamorphic, optional English or German subtitles on main feature but not extensive extras.

The Master (Mistrz, d. Piotr Trzaskalski, 2005)
TiM Film Studio, 2.35:1 anamorphic, optional English subtitles on main feature but not extras.

Off Season (Po sezonie, d. Janusz Majewski, 2006)
Kino Świat, 1.78:1 anamorphic, optional English subtitles on main feature, but not extras - though the latter seem to consist exclusively of trailers for other films. Note that this is Region 2, even though I couldn't find any warning on the box.

Preserve (Rezerwat, d. Łukasz Palkowski, 2007)
TiM Film Studio, 1.78:1 anamorphic, Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 soundtracks, optional English or German subtitles on main feature, but not extensive extras.

Polish Debuts 2007 (Polskie debuity 2007, shorts collection)
Kino Świat, 4:3 (letterboxed where necessary), optional English subtitles on the films, but biographical info in Polish only.

The State Witness (Świadek koronny, d. Jarosław Sypniewski/Jacek Filipiak, 2007)
ITI Home Video, 1.85:1 non-anamorphic, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS soundtracks, optional English subtitles on main feature, but not extensive extras.

Krzysztof Zanussi (Telewizja Kinopolska box)
Inventory (Bilans Kwartalny, 1974) - 1.85:1 non-anamorphic
Spiral (Spirala, 1978) - 1.85:1 non-anamorphic
The Year of the Quiet Sun (Rok spokojnego słonca, 1984) - 1.78:1 anamorphic
Anxiety (Niepokoj, d. Krzysztof Tchórzewski, 2004) - 4:3 non-anamorphic
All films have optional English subtitles, but 42-page book is in Polish only (a shame, as it looks pretty good).

Krzysztof Zanussi (Vision box)
The Structure of Crystals (Struktura kryształu, 1969) - 1.78:1 anamorphic, English/Spanish/French/German subtitles on main feature, minimal extras in Polish only
Illumination (Iluminacja, 1972) - 1.78:1 anamorphic, Polish/English/Spanish/French/German subtitles, supporting documentary A Trace (Słąd, 1996) has optional English/Polish subtitles, other extras in Polish only.
Camouflage (Barwy ochronne, 1976) - 1.78:1 anamorphic, English/Spanish/French/German subtitles on main feature, no extras
The Silent Touch (Dotknięcie ręki, 1993) - 1.78:1 anamorphic, English dialogue, burned-in Polish subtitles (on original film print), optional Polish voiceover, no extras.
Persona Non Grata (2005)- see individual release above; this appears to be identical.

NB: Unlike the foldout Digipak of the Telewizja Kinopolska box, Vision's discs are presented in separate Amaray cases with their own barcodes, suggesting that they're available separately - artwork aside, the disc of Persona Non Grata appears to be the same as the better standalone version. Aside from the wraparound box, there are no printed supplements.

[L.A.]

Piotr Szulkin box

Includes the following films:

Golem
Wojna światów - Następne stulecie
O-bi, o-ba: Koniec cywilizacji
Ga, ga: Chwała bohaterom

Release date is August 27th. I'll definitely get this one!

[MichaelB]

Piotr Szulkin box

I imagine it's a racing certainty that it'll recycle the existing single-disc releases, but they're fine - decent transfers, English subtitles on the main feature. And I'm not sure Golem was ever out separately, so that's a bonus.

[L.A.]

50-lecie Polskiej Szkoły Filmowej 4

Release date September 10th.

[MichaelB]

50-lecie Polskiej Szkoły Filmowej 4

Thanks for that - to save people clicking and then looking up English titles, it contains:

Mother Joan of the Angels (Matka Joanna od Aniołów, d. Jerzy Kawalerowicz, 1961)
Spring (Kwiecień, d. Witold Lesiewicz, 1961)
How To Be Loved (Jak być kochaną, d. Wojciech Jerzy Has, 1963)
The Noose (Pętla, d. Wojciech Jerzy Has, 1958)
The Depot of the Dead (Baza ludzi umarłych, d. Czesław Petelski, 1959)

I've already got Mother Joan and The Noose, though it'll be interesting to see if the former is an improvement on the Second Run release. Sadly, if other boxes are any guide, there's every possibility that it might not be - but I'm never one to reject a pleasant surprise.