Poland Before and After Wwii Gdnask Warsaw Krakow (1946)

Synopsis

Made in the immediate post-WWII era by famed filmmaker Julien Bryan, POLAND THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE shows the nation of Poland as it emerged from the war, with the nation digging itself out of the ruins of conflict and trying to re-establish itself. The film can in some ways be seen as an appeal to the American people and the West for assistance in assuring that the nation would be permitted to be free, after six long years of terrible struggle. Unfortunately the hopeful sentiments echoed in the narration would soon by crushed by the Communist party and Soviets. The film is notable for showing many scenes of agriculture and commerce from before and after WWII, including shots of the Polish peasantry and their handicrafts, religious ceremonies, dancing, and more. Poland at this time was a life of many different cultures, including mountain people and groups with rich tradition, some of whom were eradicated during the German occupation. At the 8 minute mark, a group of Ukranians who lived in Poland -- one of many minorities in the nation -- are shown. The Jews, who were decimated by the persecutions of the German forces, are discussed at the 8:40 mark and following. As the narrator solemnly remarks at the 9:40 mark, few of the Jewish people seen in the film remained alive at the end of the war. Gydnia, Gdansk, Warsaw, Krakow, Danzig and other cities are seen in the film. Julien Hequembourg Bryan (1899-1974) was an American photographer, filmmaker, and documentarian. He is…

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Details

Running time

20 minutes

Collection

Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

• Stock Footage