A historical satire set in the Golden Age of the „szlachta” noblemens’ republic. An intelligent, ironic take on the absurdities of that age paired with a cunning plot. A great voice-over narrative performance by Jeremi Przybora, full of hints and metaphors related to modern-day times.
A fantastic performance by Irena Kwiatkowska, a legend of Polish comedy.
The film is an adaptation of the novel “Siedem zacnych grzechów głównych” by Tadeusz Kwiatkowski.
It’s the 17th century. Father Makary, who says he’s questing for the order of Carmelites, wanders the country and collects charity, at times resorting to petty cons. On the road he meets an aristocrat Krasnopolski who promises a generous contribution under the condition that the priest gets him a meeting with his distant relative, Miss Firlej. Greedy Jesuits took control of the wealthy widow’s estate and her life convincing her she’d be able to contact angels. Makary uses trickery to get into the dame’s castle, where he finds himself in the middle of an intrigue devised by the prior Ignacy. The lead character soon discovers the unscrupulous Jesuit will go to any lengths to achieve his goal. He won’t even stop at taking Makary’s life.
