Reviews

It was my first impression after watching this movie. If someone decides to spend serious amount of money on costumes, special effects, on employing the best Russian actors... well, one would assume the producer got also at least semi-decent scenario. It was definitely not the case here.

Without giving out too many details, the main plot of "1612" is a little similar to that of "Patriot". Just move the action to the early 17th century in Russia, and replace British troops with those from Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The problem is that "Patriot" was somewhat realistic (even if one might have some doubts if all Brits are really brutal sadists), and "1612" is not. Frankly, I have not seen such BS story since I quit watching American B-grade action movies and it was so bad even the best actors could not help it.

Do you know who would be able to build a cannon from leather and then use it with marksman accuracy? Maybe MacGyver? Well, no, but if you want to know the answer for this (and many other, but equally absurd) question, just watch "1612". Otherwise, do something else. I still give it 4 of 10 - mainly for decent historical costumes, great cavalry charges, and other secondary details.

One of the things I like is that this movie is very realistic (unlike most of action/crime movies). The plot is not about the crime of the century, there are no superheroes present, and the dialogues are not overdone (sometimes they even sound quite "crude" - I'm not sure everybody would like it, but I did). Also, you don't need to know much about Polish reality to follow what's going on.

There is another interesting thing about actor playing Militia Officer - Jerzy Kulej. Actually, he was not actor at all, but boxer (twice golden medalist). And since it was not allowed to be pro boxer at this time in Poland, officially he had another job... Yes, you guessed right, he was an officer of militia! Maybe this is why I liked his performance. Jan Szczepanski and Jan Himmilsbach were neither pro actors.. but it's another story.