“Robinson of Warsaw” (1945-1950) – the Predecessor of “The Pianist” by Roman Polański
Abstract
The article tells the history of the film entitled Robinson of Warsaw. Czesław Miłosz conceived the story inspired by conversations with pianist Władysław Szpilman who was hiding in the ruins of Warsaw during the World War II. The original idea of the film was a lonely man amidst a landscape of ruins. In the screenplay contract signed in 1945 with Andrzejewski, Miłosz features as a co-author. In 1945 the screenplay underwent a number of changes which devastated Miłosz, who in the meantime signed a contract as a Foreign Office employee. Works on Robinson were suspended until the spring of 1948. Zarzycki and Andrzejewski wrote a new screenplay including the communist party recommendations. Miłosz was not aware of any of it. Robinson of Warsaw premiered in 1949. It was hit by crushing criticism. The movie, which was in fact a propaganda film, was screened in 1950. Andrzejewski’s name was included in the film credits without mentioning the contribution by Miłosz.
Keywords:
Czesław Miłosz, Władysław Szpilman, Roman Polański, Jerzy AndrzejewskiReferences
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Authors
Anna Synoradzka-Demadrekwartalnik.filmowy@ispan.pl
Université de Lille France
Autorka książki Andrzejewski (1997) oraz wstępu i przypisów do krytycznego wydania powieści Jerzego Andrzejewskiego Miazga (2003). Obecnie przygotowuje pracę Z obszarów prywatnej biografii Jerzego Andrzejewskiego, która ma się ukazać nakładem Wydawnictwa „Czarne”. Pracuje jako adiunkt w sekcji polskiej Uniwersytetu w Lille.
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Copyright (c) 2014 Anna Synoradzka-Demadre
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