How I Unleashed World War II

It's a story about a polish rifleman - Franek Dolas.It begins on 1st October of 1939 when Nazis invade Poland.Generally the whole movie is divided into three episodes.In the first one Franek gets himself into German pow camp.He is making his best trying to escape but everything he does gets him only into more trouble.Frankly speaking Franek is a kind of guy that is always getting into some kind of trouble.When he wants to do something right the result is opposite every time. Through all three episodes we can see Franek's funniest adventures in occupied Poland,Yugoslavia,Italy,few other European countries and even Africa where he joins French Foreign Legion. I think that it should be very interesting and funny for Europeans to see what the Poles think about them and why we sometimes laugh about English or Italians for example :P

The film is one of classic Polish comedies, often aired in Polish TV, and I like it quite much. The main hero is Polish soldier Private Franek Dolas, a charming wangler, who is convinced, that he had started World War Two with his accidental shot (it is a bravura life role of Marian Kociniak). He escapes from a POW camp, and then desperately tries to join the Polish Army, being organized in Great Britain. The film is quite long three-part trilogy, but we follow adventures of Private Dolas from 1 September 1939 towards the end of the war, across Nazi occupied Europe, Middle East and North Africa. And there is also a romance plot in last part.

The whole story is inspired by fates and stories of many Polish soldiers, who escaped from occupied country and got to French or British allies to continue fighting. It was truly a difficult task during the war, because they had to travel illegally through neutral or Nazi-allied countries, avoiding imprisonment or internment. Many of them found themselves eventually in North Africa, where Polish units fought on British side in 1941-1942 against Germans and Italians. One patrol even captured Italian military bordello indeed...

Since Franek Dolas travels through different countries, a humour mainly explores national stereotypes and cultural clashes, but in rather gentle and non-derogatory way. So, the Germans are unable to write down an overcomplicated fake Polish name (Brzeczyszczykiewicz), the Yugoslavians are hospitable, while the British are stiff and care about nothing during a tea time (it also was an experience of Polish soldiers, raised in different culture). On the other hand, the Poles, personalized by the main hero, are reckless and always get into trouble. In fact, Private Dolas succeeds in many things only by accident. French captain is always drunk on wine and wants to fight for Marshall Petain - but on the other hand, his soldiers join the Free French to continue fighting. The Italians try to surrender, or they fight only for their women - but we also see brave Italian commandos. A great and remarkable thing in this film is, that all characters speak their own languages, what makes language barriers obvious, and increases reality feeling.

The film was made as black and white, but gained much thanks to a digital colorization.

As a Polish speaker and fan of WW2 films, this movie ticks all the boxes you would want from a WW2 adventure/comedy. One may describe the film as a cross between 'The Great Escape' (1964) and 'Forrest Gump' (1994). A simple mans comedic journey through a tumultuous time period in history, driven by his impassioned will to fight for his country.

Long 3 part funny story of a guy who travels all wartime Europe in almost every uniform.

Great cast of famous actors o the era. And some dialogues became classic.

This movie is one of the best polish movies there were ever made! The great story, the patriotism, the characters and most of all the irresistible humor have made this movie so special, that it entertains viewers of many generations! While most war movies show the terror of it, this movie shows it's brighter side. The side where people are brave, patriotic and they managed to do the impossible! Also shows how true is an old polish quote: "If a Pole wants to do something, he'll do it no matter how!" If you'd ask me, I'd gave you examples from my family that could prove those incredible situations! Hope you all will see it and like it as much as I do! Greycat R! Krystian Andrzej Dylewski