One of the best and most popular Polish comedies ever made presenting the story of two conflicted peasant families, the Pawlaks and the Karguls, who after the end of World War II were resettled from the Bug River area in the East to the Recovered Territories in the new west of Poland. Dating back to when one of the Karguls plowed a few inches into the Pawlaks’ land, the conflict has spread to the postwar years, becoming a driving force behind the ongoing fights between the two families which even when forced to relocate still decided to settle next to each other. Distinctive characters and colorful dialogues and phrases, many of which are nowadays in everyday use, are undoubtedly just a few strong qualities of the film.
First years after World War II. People are resettled on a mass scale from the East to the Regained Territories, the western lands now located within the new borders of Poland. The Pawlak and Kargul families from the Bug River area are also forced to relocate. The both families have been conflicted ever since the Karguls’ cow entered the Pawlaks’ field and since one of the Karguls plowed at the width of three fingers into the Pawlaks’ land. A series of vengeful acts took place, in result of which Jasiek Pawlak had to emigrate to America to escape prison. After many years Jasiek decides to visit his brother and comes to Poland. He is shocked to discover that the two families live in peace and harmony, and that their children are now married. Dreading his brother’s reaction, Kazimierz tells him the whole story of their resettlement to the new lands. It is a tale of constant fights, envy of the neighbors, unhealthy competition and mutual cursing. Finally, it turns out that the hatred between the two families had to subside in the face of the secret love between their children, Jadźka and Witia.
