Wiedzmin

Methinks the vicious slams against this film, made by hardcore fans of source author Andrzej Sapkowski, are a bit out of line. Sapkowski's books, very popular in Poland, are not available in English yet (a UK edition comes out in 2007), and I have not read them, so I watched the film with no expectations. There is some excellent film-making here, an unusual atmosphere (helped by a fine music score and great scenery), and, most memorable, the magnetic performance of Michal Zebrowski in the lead. In WITH FIRE AND SWORD, Zebrowski seemed merely ornamental (he is very good-looking); here, he truly claims the role of the lonely warrior moving through a broken world determined to find a higher moral code.

Comparison with Tolkien is largely misplaced, although this fantasy also clearly grows out of the catastrophes of the 20th century. In HEXER, we enter a world of vicious power struggles and atrocities. When a ruthless band resembling Teutonic Knights wipes out a sacred retreat of women, you can't help but think of the Nazi atrocities in Poland. The content also draws on older Polish history, such as the 17th century practice of impaling captives; you won't find that in Tolkien! The resonance of this exotic background and the seriousness of these themes give the film a welcome sense of gravitas that results in some haunting images and moments.

Regarding special effects, I grew up in the 1960s on Ray Harryhausen claymation, and while I appreciate the tremendous advances in FX, they don't make or break a film for me. The special effects here are certainly not Hollywood state of the art, but nor are they cheesy; they are respectable.

The film's biggest weakness seems to stem from the fact that a longer version appeared as a TV series in Poland, and this feature release was edited from that. Indeed, some developments seem too rushed and some characters pop up very abruptly; the story is not unintelligible, but does require a bit of concentration from the viewer. I would love to see the longer, more fleshed-out version on DVD someday.

Wiedzmin books (the first two volumes are stories on which this fatal movie is based) and five further volumes i.e. Wiedzmin Saga are perfectly written piece of fantasy literature. I can agree that their author borrowed a lot from Tolkien but he added so much his own spice that at least in my opinion

they are much more exciting that Tolkien's Middleearth Saga.

If only we(Poles) had someone like Peter Jackson to direct the movie based on Wiedzmin Saga (and enough money, but not so much as for LOTR) that potential movie would shake Hollywood.

But for now we can only cry in despair that someone spoilt such piece of great fantasy.

Kind regards, Paul Wiedzmin's(book version) fan

This is actually a compilation of TV-series. A lot was left out, and maybe that's why it feels so inconsistent in places. Geralt was good, as was the little heiress. I'd say the TV-series was okay, the movie - not so good. Go for the books instead.

Ridiculous. Only Poles find this film bad. It seems to be funny, but I'm proud, when I see, that our Film is compared to LOTOR by Peter Jackson. That was off production, made not by Hollywood. And in "Hexer" we can find no political mumble.

Of course FX is poor, should be better, but it was first film since Poland is sovereign country. Future will be marvelous. Sorry for my mistakes, and be more tolerant for form. Contents are much more important...

Yap

I think 5 is note, which should be good.

first of all I'm sick of all the people who compare the book and everything regarding this material to Tolkien, which is absolute nonsense, is The Lotr trilogy the only fantasy you people know? it is VERY different, the books are much more realistic and modern. The characters are very real and they evolve with the story in a way which is not at all similar to The Lotr. When it comes to the film i must say it was a huge disappointment, I'm a huge Sapkowski fan, have read almost everything he has written to this day including his essays on modern literature and fantasy. That i guess is the main reason i didn't like the film, although there are some nice moments, like the man-on-man fights which look much more realistic than in most of Hollywood A movies( fights which do not involve the monsters because i consider them to be a joke). And of course Michal Zebrowski who has an incredible voice, imposing stature and has a palpable aura of presence whenever he is on the screen, which thank the authors is most of the time. Also there are a few funny moments and the scenery and music are also quite enjoyable. It is the dividing of the story, the timing and the complete change of story in certain parts that made me angry. A few episodes which are connected very weakly( in the movie, in the book the line of Ciri is much stronger and is given a lot of attention, it is after all the main topic of the saga) and i just didn't get the right feeling from it, thats all