Wytwórnia Filmów Dokumentalnych i Fabularnych - WFDiF (Documentary and Feature Film Studios)
Early days of the First World War. Barbara Niechcic leaves the burning city surrounded by crowds of refugees mad with fear and despair, trying to save what is left of their possessions. Barbara travels on the horse- drawn cart of Shimshel the Jew. Her voyage takes her to her daughter’s manor but also back in time. The voyage in time is a summary of her life, spent with a man she married but did not love. Her memories rush back – her great love for a handsome young gentleman who married another, the first encounter with her future husband and 40 years of a common, toilsome life, marked with births and deaths – presented against the changing background of the life of Polish landed gentry at the turn of the 20th century. A lavish adaptation of the eponymous novel by Maria Dąbrowska. Great acting – the best parts in the respective careers of Jadwiga Barańska and Jerzy Bińczycki – and beautiful, moving score by Waldemar Kazanecki. Justly deserved awards – the Golden Lions of Gdańsk and a nomination to the Academy Awards. One of the most often viewed Polish movies.
