Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #98124 in DVD
• Released on: 2000-04-17
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: Polish
• Dubbed in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 133 minutes

Special Features
2.35 Wide Screen
English
Polish
Region 2
Dolby Digital English Polish
Dolby Digital
Interactive Menus

Synopsis
In the Polish epic PHARAOH, the end of the 20th Egyptian dynasty sees the empire showing signs of deterioration. In the east, the Assyrians are rapidly expanding their empire, which threatens both Phoenicia and Israel. Meanwhile, the power behind the throne of Pharoah Rameses XII lies with the select body of the priests. These worshippers of the gods Amon and Osiris jealously fight to guard their positions of influence as rulers of Egypt. However, the young, rash prince Rameses (Jerzy Zelnik), heir to the throne and commander of the armies, sees the solution to Egypt's problems in open confrontation with Assyria, and sets himself against the priests in order to begin a war.

Customer Reviews

Excellent historical trip to ancient Egypt
The film was made in both Egypt and Poland (there is a desert there!) during the time of the official "friendship" period between the then Poland People's Republic and the Republic of Egypt. Although, it depicts the story of the non-existent pharaoh and his struggle against the priesthood, it is, to my mind, one of the best non-Holywood films about the ancient Egypt. The costumes and other details were re-constructed with the help of the Polish School of Archeology famous for many discoveries and work in Egypt over many years. The acting is
sometimes too "stiff" and old-fashioned but the film offers a glimpse into the ancient Egypt with the "true aura" about it.

A typical Oscar movie, yet intelligent
This movie is nearly 35 years old but still thrilling. Adaptation of a book by Polish end-XIX century author, B.Prus, deals with Ramses XIII, a real person yet somewhat obscured. A grandiose tale of politics, intrigue, lust, luxury and treason. Very good Jerzy Zelnik in the title role (very young at that, I think it was his debute). A somewhat of "Hamlet a rebous" plot with Egyptian priests trying to regain control over the administration of a state in spite of efforts of few young Ramses supporters. Yet not that simple and without immediate and clear-cut moral answers. The movie was an Oscar-runner I believe in 1967. If you have GBP 18.99 to spare, you could easily do a worse choice than buying this DVD.

Interesting
I first came across this film in the mid-sixties when I read an article in a Polish magazine about its production. I am very familiar with the novel by Boleslaw Prus but was always curious about the film. To my knowledge it has never been on any general release in the UK (though it may well have been shown in some of the more exotic parts of the country). It turns out to be quite a good film. At times it comes across as slightly over-acted but ultimately it is interesting and quite engrossing. The clash between the young, forward-looking and idealistic Rameses and the establishment of the Priesthood is well portrayed. The tale of his doomed opposition grips the viewer. I was most impressed by the use of location and the very realistic costume etc. It's good, worth watching and, in the end, worth seeing again. Good dubbing also.