Vabank (1981)

Sorry, this movie sucks

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

In my opinion Vabank is definitely the best Polish crime comedy of all times. Great casting, acting, dialogues and overall atmosphere. And the plot is so cool you are impressed every time you watch it. I don't how the jokes sound translated into English, but in Polish they are top notch. And you will appreciate it even more after watching tons of expensive Hollywood unfunny crime comedies.Also the attention to detail when it comes to cars, interiors, costumes is really impressive. This movie really has everything. If you got a chance definitely check it out!

Polish cinema is not famous for its "entertainment" movies. At least, outside Poland. It is "artistic" and "dramatic" movies by early Polanski, Wajda and Kieslowski that were noticed and awarded throughout the world. And yet, there were few comedies that could be world hits or, at least, the European ones. They were in Poland and in east-Eueropean countries, especially in the Soviet Union. These are famous three by Juliusz Machulski: "Vabank", "Vabank 2" and "Seksmisja". "Vabank" - Machulski's debut is a precise and funny little masterpiece. The plot is twisted in "The Sting" style and is executed witch charm and wit. Acting, dialogs, music is superb; it's one of those unique films when every little detail falls into a right place. If You have any chance to rent it or catch it on TV, don't miss it. You won't be disappointed and surely You'll be interested in the sequel which (quite rare thing) is equally good.

October 1934. Poland. Famous bank robber Kwinto (Jan Machulski, popular actor and father of director Juliusz Machulski) decided to quit his dangerous criminal job, but after his friend's death, he changed his mind and organized a burglary of the famous and well protected bank which belonged to his former partner in crime, backstabbing and double-crossing Kramer (Leonard Peetraszak). Kwinto designs a deliciously clever plan not to only rob the Kramer's bank but to make it look like Kramer himself did it. Juliusz Machulski's directing debut reminds the celebrated Oscar winner "The Sting" with its retro-style, elegant brilliance, and wonderful use of music - and I am not sure which movie I like better, American or Polish.

I must say that I'm little dissatisfied reading these "plot summaries" where authors say "Kwinto has only revenge in his mind". That is misconception quite common. In fact the film director shows it clearly enough to learn that Kwinto has no revenge in mind. It is likely he will accept the money from Kramer if only Kramer haven't killed his best friend. This murder is the only reason why he decide to take revenge on Kramer and we can see it clearly.The film itself is a real masterpiece. One can feel as if it was really made in the thirties not fifty years later. Also the language used in the film would be found archaic today but it is how they were talking in the 30's. The plot is dynamic and interesting without any "blackholes of boredom" which are common in many polish films.