“Red poppies” is the first Polish feature film about the famous and victorious Battle of Monte Cassino. The photos were taken in Croatia (Zadar, Nekić, Marasović, Tulove Grede), Bulgaria (Sofia, Varvara), Italy (Monte Cassino) and Poland. Once again Krzysztof Łukaszewicz (“Eagles: Grodno ’39”, “Karbala”, “General Nil”) refers to the most important and dramatic pages of our history.
In the film, fiction intertwines with facts, creating a magnetic and engaging story for viewers. The race against time, the tense process of planning the attack and the huge weight of irreversible decisions made by the commanders of the II Corps make “Red Poppies” a film that leaves unforgettable emotions.
The dynamic and modern production of “Red Poppies” is inspired by the best productions of battle cinema, such as “The Longest Day” (1962), “A Bridge Too Far” (1977), “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), “Dunkirk” (2017). Similarly to the works of world directors, historical events are shown here through the prism of the fate of individual heroes.
We see the history of the battle through the eyes of Jędrek – a young boy who went through hell and left Russia with Anders’ Army as one of thousands of orphans. The time of captivity changed him from a boy from a good family into a schemer and a petty thief who will do anything to survive. However, contact with the soldiers of the II Corps and the awakening love for the nurse Pola will cause Jędrek to undergo a profound transformation. Soon, there will be a decisive attack on the front against the monastery defended by German troops, located on the Monte Cassino hills – this spectacular battle will decide the lives of many soldiers and the further attack of the Allied army in Italy, and will change Jędrek’s life forever.
Apart from Jędrek (Nicolas Adventure) and Pola (Magdalena Zak) the heroes of the film are also a war correspondent (Leszek Lichota), who becomes a mentor to the rebellious teenager, and Jędrek’s brother Stanisław (Szymon Piotr Warszawski). We will also see historical figures on the screen – he played the role of the legendary General Anders Michał Żurawski, and British General Oliver Leese was played by Mark Kitto. The film also stars: Bartłomiej Topa, Łukasz Garlicki, Andrzej Mastalerz, Mateusz Banasiuk and Radosław Pazura.
Even though the Battle of Monte Cassino was one of the key events of the Italian campaign and opened the way to Rome for the Allies, it is practically unknown outside Poland. Thanks to “Red Poppies”, the heroism of Polish soldiers who captured Monte Cassino is finally properly commemorated.