Pharaoh

^director Jerzy Kawalerowicz
^screenplay (based on the novel of the same title by Bolesław Prus) Tadeusz Konwicki, Jerzy Kawalerowicz
^{director of photography} Adam Walaciński
^with Jerzy Zelnik, Wiesława Mazurkiewicz, Barbara Brylska, Krystyna Mikołajewska, Ewa Krzyżewska, Piotr Pawłowski, Leszek Herdegen, Stanisław Milski, Kazimierz Opaliński, Mieczysław Voit
^awards
 Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, 1967
 1st Class State Award for team achievement, 1966
 ’Film’ magazine Readers Award, Golden Duck (Złota Kaczka), 1966

BOLESŁAW PRUS, PHAROAH [FARAON]

First of all – said the prince – is it possible to think of building canals and shrines when the treasury is empty? – About this, Prince, you will learn only in the shrines, at the foot of altars – spoke the priest. Ramzes retorted impatiently: – Before the eyes of your majesty the shrines obstruct the view of the whole country. You are blaspheming, Prince, for you do not know the high rites of the religion. If you got to know them, you would be able to answer many questions tormenting you.

JERZY ELJASIAK, A REFINED SUPER-GIANT [SUPERGIGANT SZLACHETNY], ‘SZTANDAR MŁODYCH’, 1966, NO. 60

‘Pharaoh’ is a film which is more contemplative than spectacular, although the latter qualities are by means in short supply. The main motif is the story of a young, inexperienced, but quite ambitious pharaoh putting up a fight against a powerful clan of priests usurping rule over the country. The clash between these two powers results in a dramatic conflict of high intensity, truly moving (…). The film is extremely pure in its formula (…) with an astounding palette of colours almost exclusively limited to shades of gold and copper, with a specific rhythm of narration, melody of dialogue, hieratic tone, stateliness of gesture, with a sparing use of the means of expression.