Faraon (aka Pharaoh) (1966)

Set in Ancient Egypt, the young Pharaoh Ramses XIII (Jerzy Zelnik) intends to reform Egypt but his high priest (Piotr Pawlowski) vehemently opposes him. Thus a struggle for power between the young Pharaoh and the temple's priests sets the stage for intrigue, betrayal and the future of the Egyptian throne. Based on the novel by Boleslaw Prus and directed by Jerzy Kawalerowicz (MOTHER JOAN OF THE ANGELS). When one thinks of movie epics set in Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece or biblical films, one thinks of Hollywood or Italian peplum, not Poland. This epic film is not concerned with spectacle and pageantry or DeMille like debauchery. It is an intelligent analysis of power, corruption and the undue influence and interference of religion on government. Stunningly shot in wide screen (Dyaliscope) by Jerzy Wojcik with interiors shot in a Poland studio and exteriors shot in Egypt and Uzbekistan. Nominated in 1967 for a best Foreign Language film Oscar, the film is greatly admired by many including Martin Scorsese. Definitely a film worth seeking out. With Leszek Herdegen, Krystyna Mikolajewska, Wieslawa Mazurkiewicz and Barbara Brylska.