A film attempt to demythologize the legendary medieval ruler based on historical facts.
A universal story about a conflict between two strong personalities, representing contradictory ideologies and goals.
The last years of Boleslaw II the Bold’s rule and the king’s dispute with bishop Stanislaw, which proved disastrous, both for the vicar as well as for the monarch.
Krakow, the second half of the 11th century. King Boleslaw II the Bold severely punishes the warriors who deserted from Kiev. His ruthlessness triggers wreath of bishop Stanislaw beloved by the common people, which leads to a tragic conflict.
Boleslaw strives to strengthen the king’s power and make Poles independent from the Western countries by forming an alliance with the Prince of Kiev. The bishop represents the interests of the clergy controlled by the German Empire. Boleslaw gradually loses his support, which is also his own fault as his betrayed wife and belittled brother turn away from him. When the ruler orders to capture the rebels who found asylum on the church’s land, bishop Stanislaw excommunicates him in retaliation. The king deems it treason and sentences the vicar to death. The bishop dies, however his death also means the end of Boleslaw’s rule. Abandoned by his allies, surrounded by traitors and attacked by his enemies, the monarch has to flee the country.
The presented clash between the king and the bishop is an illustration of the eternal conflict between the secular rulers and clergyman and resembles an antic tragedy.
The screenplay is based on plots taken from the noel “Boleszyce” by Józef Ignacy Kraszewski and the drama “Stanisław and Bogumił” by Maria Dąbrowska, but, above all, it draws on historical sources and research carried out by professor Tadeusz Manteuffel, who – together with Józef Mitkowski – played the role of a historical consultant during the filmmaking process.
The spectacularly filmed picture is characterized by great attention to detail. The scenes in the open air were shot on the Trail of the Eagles' Nests and on the premises of ancient buildings, such as the chapel in Inowlodz, which pretends to be the Krakow Church on the Rock and whereas the castle in Lipowiec “plays” the medieval Wawel. Approximately 80 actors and students from film schools took part in the filmmaking process alongside 1,500 extras.
Excerpt from the movie
