Jerzy Kawalerowicz's Quo Vadis is a great adaptation, based on the novel by the Nobel Prize winner, Henryk Sienkiewicz. This is one of those films which make you wonder: What are our priorities in life? You cannot just leave the cinema and go back to reality and forget what you've seen. Wonderful acting is an unquestionable virtue of this Quo Vadis. Saint Peter played by Franciszek Pieczka, is not the esteemed, serious Saint Peter we can see on paintings or sculptures in churches, he's not this stern guardian at heaven's gate, the one who keeps the key to heaven. Ke is an eye witness of Christ's life and death, and he is a sage you may ask for advice in difficult moments of your life. He is one of us - the man who understands the love of young people - Marek and Ligia, and doesn't find anything wrong in it.
Jerzy Trela, in my opinion, in the role of his lifetime as Chilon, starts off as a comic character, as a cheater, plotter, unscrupulous liar, who isn't afraid to bertray people causing their death. For such a role, so comic and tragic, a great actor is needed. Jerzy Trela is undoubtedly a wonderful artist, the right actor for this role. I was crying with laughter at the beginning, and of emotion at the end of the film, watching his Chilon Chilonides.
A good idea, I think, was giving the role of Neron to a singing actor, Micha³ Bajor. This red-haired artist created a wonderful character, despite the role being so difficult. His musical and singing talents were spot on this film.
The best female performance was Ma³gorzata Pieczyñska's role of Acte, the only woman who really loved Neron - a love expressed so convincingly.
A breathtaking scene is the fight between Ursus (Rafa³ Kubacki) and the bull, especially, considering there were no computer or other special effects. Although Rafa³ Kubacki clearly isn't a professional actor, his fighting skills and sheer on screen power are worthy of respect.
Quo Vadis isn't a Hollywood style film. This film is not like Cleopatra or Gladiator. Comparing Quo Vadis to these films is a pointless exercise. The only thing these films have in common is the place of action: ancient Rome. The rest is quite different. The last scene of the film (I hope you will watch this film, and see this scene) begs the question: "Quo Vadis XXIst century world?"
