I’ve long been drawn to the Wild East of the 17th Century Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth frontier. For the frontiersmen of that time and place, the far-famed Polish saber was the national weapon, much the way the long rifle came to symbolize the American frontiersman.
The algorithmic sorcerers conjured up a new docudrama and sent it across my horizon this morning. Born For The Saber is right in the wheelhouse, and I sure hope it finds its way to the U.S.
Set during the first half of XVII century, the epic documentary-drama “Born for the Saber” tells the story of a young noble growing up in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Documentary part of the movie is a cinematic journey through history and art of the mystique of high-end crafting of the Polish saber, which to date is considered to be one of the best melee weapons on the globe. Word class experts demonstrate the art of saber fighting and forging this extraordinary weapon.
Until Born For The Saber finds its way here, I shall have to content myself with another viewing of the epic With Fire And Sword, which is, in fact, the perfect way to while away three hours in the twilight of a winter’s day…
Frontier knights of touchy honor. The undying love of a beautiful woman, sparked at first sight. Wild steppe and forest, dotted with log forts and lodges. Cossacks. Excellent fur hats and mustaches. What’s not to love?
Matthew says
I believe I read somewhere that our Founding Fathers were influence by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in writing our Constitution.
Poland has a fascinating history that I need to read more about.
JimC says
I haven’t heard that, but it’s certainly possible. It was a rare example of a semi-republic in Europe in an age of monarchy.
Nicolas Olszowski says
Well it was a republic, but more in line with the Greek tradition and with an elected king (like a us president) as head of state…
JimC says
Welcome to the campfire Nicolas.
RLT says
Today has been full of war. First reading (and reviewing) Alice Oswald’s book-length poem, Memorial, and now this Poles and their sabres! I dated a Polish girl in high school once. They’re a breed unto themselves.
You should check out Memorial, by the way. Oswald took the Iliad and removed the plot, leaving us with the names of the dead and Homeric descriptions of their final moments. It’s a relentless litany of slaughter and lament, and the cumulative effect is quite powerful.
JimC says
Will check it out.
Black Tyrone says
Nobel Prize winner for Literature, Henryk Sienkiewicz no need to say more.
John Roberts says
Also author of the much-filmed QUO VADIS.
Black Tyrone says
Right on! John a man of historical culture no doubt.
Mariusz Wesołowski says
With Fire and Sword is the first part of the so-called “trilogy”, the patriotic bible of the Poles. Its two other parts – The Deluge (Potop) and Pan Wolodyjowski – have also been filmed, and are available on YouTube. Ironically, they had been made in reverse order – Pan Wolodyjowski in 1969, The Deluge in 1974, and With Fire and Sword had to wait till 1999, for political reasons. The director of all three is Jerzy Hoffman; interestingly, the famous Polish actor Daniel Olbrychski plays in them, in the chronological order, Tuhay-Bey’s son Asya, then the Polish nobleman Kmicic, and finally Tuhay-Bey himself, which may lead to some confusion among the viewers.
I would also recommend the Russian historical film “1612” (2007). It created a huge controversy in Poland, but the fencing in it is excellent, especially in the final encounter between the Polish style saber and the Spanish destreza school of the rapier.
JimC says
Thank you Mariusz. I did not know that Daniel Olbrychski was in all three. I’ve seen The Deluge but not Pan Wolodyjowsk.
I enjoyed 1612.
Chas S Clifton says
You know, right that the landscape of “With Fire and Sword” owes more to Southern California in the 1870s than to present-day Ukraine, where Henryk Sienkiewicz never set foot, for poiltical reasons. Like there are these canyons. But he did spend part of a year in California, about 1876-77.
JimC says
Oh, that’s wonderful. Did not know that. SoCal standing in for another landscape long before HWOOD. I grew up thinking that Kentucky look d like the San Bernardino Mountains cuz of Daniel Boone.
lane batot says
Well, if yer interested in the Wild East, then a must see IN THEATERS NOW!, is “Kraven The Hunter”, of which much takes place in the Wild East! Despite no buffalo actually being native there(Critter Geek fact checker, here), it IS a Comic Book movie, so one has to lower one’s sense of accuracy a BIT to enjoy it. I am appalled at the cynical, snide, dumb-arse critiques I’ve seen by all the Youtube Super Hero Comicon geeks out there–I LOVED this movie!!!! I’m wondering if the hero’s often politically incorrect behavior and comments are influencing some of that?(which, by-the-by I loved, meeself!). A great STORY, I thought, very well developed despite what the whiners are saying, and a good many critters–all CGI, alas, except for a Rottweiler! Although I’m left worrying–what exactly happened to that Rottie? The Critter CGI was purty good, though. INCREDIBLE physical performance by Aaron Taylor-Johnson! Excellent acting and characters all around, in my opinion! I really just don’t care HOW it fits in with the super-hero genera and history, it’s a fantastic stand-alone action/adventure pic! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!(the least I could blurb to counteract some of the stooooopid whiney commentary I’ve heard from the “Critics”!) It IS violent to the core(NOT for the kiddies…), but the baddies getting it in the neck(sometimes literally!) certainly deserve their fates! Too bad this movie is just a fantasy–I WISH there was such a confident, cocky, anti-hero out there that cold pull such off! We could get Kraven to put Pootin’ on his list!
JimC says
I give more weight to the views of the folks around this campfire than to any critic or the general public.
lane batot says
Yeah, again and again, I find myself loving movies the “critics” hate! Most of these critics are urban, overly domesticated creatures, that I think just cannot relate or get into anything involving the Frontier, wilderness, animals, or characters associated with these subjects. Ditto for me regarding concrete urban dramas! Thing is, I understand that certain movies I just cain’t relate to, and am uninterested in the subjects and characters, and it doesn’t mean it’s a BAD movie, just that I’m not interested! And therefore I feel I’m totally NOT competent to critique such! Apparently NOT the case for most folks out there……