“How Much Life Is” is an adaptation of the novel “Fates” by Roman Bratnya respected writer who served as a screenwriter on the project. Zbigniew Kuźmiński was responsible for directing. The production featured many stars, including Andrzej Zaorski, Marian Opania, Józef Duriasz, Zygmunt Malanowicz, Ryszard Filipski, Anna Seniuk, Anna Nehrebecka and Ewa Szykulska.
The series was produced in 1974 and was first broadcast two years later. Although officially the title has 12 episodes, only 10 of them were shown in 1976. The fifth and ninth episodes were not presented to viewers; the reason was supposed to be presenting in the plot the events that took place during Stalinism. It was only at the turn of 2003 and 2004 that the full version of the production was broadcast on television.
At first, “How Much Is Life” was titled “Fates”, just like the literary original. Ultimately, it was decided to change it, and the new name referred to the words of Jerzy Janas, the character played by Zaorski: “And how much of this life is there? As much as our desire for something to happen.”
The action spans twenty years and begins in the spring of 1945, shortly after the end of the war. The series presents the fate of a group of friends who fought together in the Warsaw Uprising. Among them is Jerzy Janas (Andrzej Zaorski), who decides to finish his studies and get married. His future comes into question again when a high UB officer is shot during a hunt he was participating in. Although the incident was an unfortunate accident, it is considered an attack. Due to Janas’s past, he is sent to prison for 6 years. During this time, he loses his wife, and after returning to freedom, he has to face further hardships in life.
The series “How Much Is Life” is not available in its entirety on any streaming platform. However, interested viewers can find several episodes on YouTube.
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