The Deluge Redivivus

After the film there will be a meeting with Daniel Olbrychski and editor Marcin Kot Bastkowski.

No other film in Polish cinema history has generated as much anticipation and controversy as The Deluge. With over 500 shooting days, tens of thousands of costumes and props, a massive budget, and a five-hour runtime, it was an unprecedented cinematic undertaking. The story of adventurer Andrzej Kmicic (Daniel Olbrychski), his love for Oleńka (Małgorzata Braunek), and the battle between loyalty and betrayal quickly became a cornerstone of Polish cultural heritage. At the time, the casting of a young Olbrychski sparked national debate—yet today, it is impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. Given its iconic status, the decision to create a re-edited version was met with skepticism, even seen by some as an assault on sanctity. However, at its premiere in Gdynia, the response mirrored that of the original 1974 release—thunderous applause. With a tighter, more dynamic three-hour cut, stereo sound, and meticulously restored visuals, the film’s original creators left no doubt: The Deluge was always meant to look like this.

Igor Kierkosz

Jerzy Hoffman (born 1932) is a master of historical cinema, best known for his adaptations of Henryk Sienkiewicz’s novels. His The Deluge (1974) earned an Academy Award nomination, while With Fire and Sword (1999) revived the grandeur of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Hoffman blends spectacle with psychological depth, crafting epic portrayals of Polish history. Earlier, he made his mark as a documentarian, co-directing films like Pamiątka z Kalwarii (1958) and Gaudeamus (1959) with Edward Skórzewski. His body of work pays tribute to grand narratives, securing his place in the canon of Polish cinema.

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