Introduction

With Fire and Sword (Polish: Ogniem i Mieczem; Ukrainian: Вогнем і Мечем, Vohnem i Mechem) is a 1999 Polish historical drama film directed by Jerzy Hoffman.

The film is based on the novel With Fire and Sword, the first part in The Trilogy of Henryk Sienkiewicz.

At the time of its filming it was the most expensive Polish film ever made.

Another version, Invasion 1700, was released in 1962.

Outline

The story is set in Ukrainian lands of the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland during the Khmelnytsky Uprising of 1648-51.

A Polish knight, Skrzetuski, and a Cossack otaman Bohun, both fall in love with the same woman, Helena.

Their rivalry unfolds against the backdrop of a Cossack uprising led by Bohdan Khmelnytsky, aimed at reclaiming control of the land from the hands of the Polish nobles.

Historic events form a framework for an action and character driven plot, and fictional characters mingle with historic ones.

The movie, as the book, culminates with the savage siege of Zbarazh.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s): Jerzy Hoffman.
• Producer(s): Jerzy Frykowski, Jerzy Hoffman, and Jerzy R. Michaluk.
• Writer(s): Jerzy Hoffman and Andrej Krakowski.
• Music: Krzesimir Debski.
• Cinematography: Grzegorz Kedzierski.
• Editor(s): Marcin Bastkowski and Cezary Grzesiuk.
• Distributor(s): Syrena EG.
• Release Date: 12 February 1999.
• Running Time: 175 minutes.
• Country: Poland.
• Language: Polish, Tatar, Ukrainian, and Turkish.