You might wonder, what makes Krakow so irresistible to filmmakers? What movies were filmed in Kraków? Well, it’s the historic allure, the romance that the city exhales. Movies like „Katyń” by Andrzej Wajda, „11 Settembre 1683„ by Renzo Martinelli, the adaptation of Sienkiewicz’s Trilogy directed by Jerzy Hoffman, and even the series „Noce i Dnie„, have embraced this city as their backdrop. And in Krakow’s Kazimierz, the fire of storytelling was kindled.
One fine example where the city steals the spotlight is in Juliusz Machulski’s „Vinci„. I think the story here brilliantly revolves around the theft of the famed painting „Lady with an Ermine” from the Czartoryski Museum in Krakow.
- You should definitely learn more about this painting by reading this article: The Hidden Stories Behind Da Vinci’s „Lady with an Ermine”
This museum, home to one of the most valuable collections in Poland, is set in a palace with a yellow façade, positioned perfectly at the corner of Pijarska and św. Jana Streets.
Movies and The Cinematic Splendour of Krakow
But what’s truly amazing about this film, and indeed about Krakow, are the shots that capture the city in all its splendour. Take, for instance, the scenes where Borys Szyc talks to Robert Więckiewicz on an apartment terrace.
↳ Make sure to read my guide to the most amazing places to stay in Kraków:
How to Find Best Place to Stay in Krakow Old Town – Your Guide
Now, I am convinced you’d be curious where this scene was shot. Well, it was none other than the observation deck of the Academy of Music at Św. Tomasza Street!
The movie also showcases the city’s beautiful riverside scenes along the Czerwieński Boulevard. You might be interested to know that it’s a place where you can find chess tables. It is worth to say that this kind of detailed portrayal of the city adds to its charm and, dare I say, brings Krakow alive on the silver screen!
Following the Footsteps of Films
But the influence of these films goes beyond just showcasing the beauty of Krakow. I believe these films can inspire us to explore and understand the culture of the city. If you’re the kind of person who loves to soak up the local vibes, let these films guide you.
Remember how after the premiere of the last James Bond film, tourists flocked to the Italian Matera? And who can forget the interest the film „Schindler’s List” stirred, still bringing visitors to Krakow?
Schindler’s List – A Tale that Touched the World
In the city of Krakow, a movie that stands out for generating a wave of interest is „Schindler’s List”. Now, this isn’t just a film—it tells the real-life tale of a German industrialist who saved around 1,200 Polish Jews during World War II. Shot in the actual locations of Krakow’s Kazimierz and Podgórze, this Steven Spielberg film brought Krakow global recognition.
- You should definitely read more about Krakow ghetto: Krakow Ghetto – A Journey Through the Shadows of World War II
The legacy of this film is such that to this day, „Schindler’s Factory”, once the „Emalia” plant managed by Schindler himself, remains a world-renowned spot. Currently housing an exhibt on World War II in the Museum of Krakow, it even has Schindler’s office recreated for visitors!
It is worth to say that Spielberg didn’t just limit himself to Schindler’s story. He gave a nod to the equally brave Austrian industrialist Julius Madritsch, who helped even more Jews in Krakow during the war. Though less famous, Madritsch is memorialized in the film as a cameo character.
Jim Carrey’s „Dark Crimes”
But it’s not just Spielberg who found inspiration in Krakow’s streets. Jim Carrey did too, in what’s probably the largest international production ever filmed in Poland—”True Crimes”. Carrey, known for his roles in „Ace Ventura: Pet Detective”, „The Mask”, „Dumb and Dumber”, „The Truman Show”, and „Man on the Moon”, dived into a serious dramatic role in this one. The cast also included Charlotte Gainsbourg, Agata Kulesza, Zbigniew Zamachowski, and Robert Więckiewicz.
A Dark Tale from Poland’s History
I believe „True Crimes” is fascinating not just because of its star-studded cast, but also because it’s based on a shocking event from Poland’s history. It revolves around Krystian Bala, a writer from Wrocław, who published a chilling novel about a writer’s murder of his wife’s lover. In an eerie twist, Bala himself was later sentenced to 25 years for…you guessed it, killing his wife’s lover.
What’s more, the film lets you explore Krakow’s enchanting streets under a cloak of mystery, something that might appeal to those with a taste for the darker side. And if you’re into that sort of thing, Marcin Koszałka’s „Czerwony Pająk” is worth checking out too. It brings to life the chilling tale of Krakow’s serial killer Karol Kot.
- You must read more about this murderer in this article I wrote: Bloodthirsty Mystery of Karol Kot – The Vampire of Krakow
Krakow’s Dark Allure in Cinema
And these are not isolated examples. Krakow has been a recurrent backdrop for darker narratives in cinema. In Juliusz Machulski’s „Vinci”, we are treated to brilliant scenes in and around Krakow, including the police station at Szeroka Street, a place that becomes famous as the department dealing with art thefts, and the Corpus Christi Basilica with its bomb-planted scenes.
If you’re looking for a crime story set in Krakow, Jacek Bromski’s „Entanglement” won’t disappoint. Based on Zygmunt Miłoszewski’s novel, the film grapples with the brutal theme of unsettled accounts from the communist-security service past. From the castle in Przegorzały to the somber edifice of the former Hotel Forum, the film takes you through the crime scenes of Krakow, not unlike what Krzysztof Krauze’s „Gry Uliczne” did 15 years earlier.
Papal Inspiration and a Journey through Time
Krakow’s rich history and picturesque locations have made it a preferred backdrop for diverse film productions. Its ties with Karol Wojtyła, better known as Pope John Paul II, are a particular highlight. Since his ascendancy, there has been a deluge of films focusing on his life and impact, like „In front of the jeweler’s shop,” starring Burt Lancaster, and biographical films like „From a distant country” and „Karol. The Man Who Became Pope.”
Throughout Krakow and the Lesser Poland region, you’ll find landmarks indelibly marked by the Pope’s influence. Intriguingly, it’s not just native Polish narratives that have found a home here. Would you believe that scenes from Ukraine were filmed in Krakow? At Zakrzówek, a flooded quarry, scenes for Jerzy Hoffman’s „Ogniem i Mieszczem” were shot, featuring Skrzetuski’s voyage down the Dniester River to Chmielnicki.
A Timeless City for Timeless Narratives
Krakow’s versatility doesn’t stop there. In the novel-based film „Noce i Dnie” (which garnered an Oscar nomination in 1975), Jerzy Antczak transformed Krakow’s Nowy Square into a 19th-century town. It’s a testament to the city’s timeless charm that even in the ’70s, the square could pass for a wartime location.
Then, of course, there are narratives that could only take place in Krakow itself. Films like „Pogoda na Jutro” and „Anioł w Krakowie” showcase not just the people, but the city’s distinctive atmosphere. The iconic Nowa Huta, for example, served as the backdrop for Andrzej Wajda’s „Człowiek z Marmuru” inspired by the biography of bricklayer Piotr Orzański.
Kraków – The Director’s Muse
Beyond Krakow, Lesser Poland’s outdoors, rich with historical sites and diverse landscapes, have been a steady source of inspiration for filmmakers. Take the castle in Pieskowa Skała, which has appeared in everything from „Stakes greater than life” to „With Fire and Sword”. Or the Białka gorge near Krempachy, a filming location for „Janosik” and „Karol. The man who became pope„, but also for an actual German western!
Even the Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska region has played a role in Polish westerns. It is probably best known for appearing in the internationally renowned „The Saragossa Manuscript”, a film lauded by notable directors such as Martin Scorsese, Luis Buñuel, David Lynch, and Lars von Trier.
The Dunajec Castle in Niedzica, located by Lake Czorsztyn, deserves a mention as well. Every holiday season, events inspired by Stanisław Jędryka’s cult series „Wakacje z Duchami” are held here, with most of the series filmed within the castle grounds.
Yet another cinematic star is the former station of the Galician Transversal Railway in Kasina Wielka. Its vintage charm and picturesque landscapes have drawn filmmakers for diverse productions, including Andrzej Wajda’s „Katyń„. And let’s not forget the Rolling Stock Heritage Park in Chabówka nearby—another cherished spot in the cinematic heart of Poland.
- You can watch this movie on Youtube: Here
The Adventures of Bollywood and Bond in Krakow
If there’s one thing I can tell you, it’s that our beloved secret agent, James Bond, is quite fond of his high-speed drives. Just like his filmmakers, who have craftd thrilling scenes in numerous exotic locations, with Prague being the closest to us.
And let me say, he certainly enjoys causing a little chaos here and there. Much like the Bollywood moguls who were in the Polish city of Krakow, shooting an Indian blockbuster named "Aazaan".
Now, this isn’t just any movie, it’s akin to a Bond-style extravaganza featuring the most dazzling stars of Indian cinema.
Imagine being there, watching scenes come to life in the heart of Krakow – Szczepański Square, Krakus Mound, the vibrant Pijarska and Floriańska Streets, Nowy Square, Ludwinów, and even at Balice. And let’s not forget, they had plans to stage an explosion in the Main Square too!
- Read more about main Square in this article: A Guide to Krakow’s UNESCO Old Town Sites And Many More
Bollywood in Poland – A Blend of Cultures
I am convinced that even though Indian cinema is one of the largest industries in the world, it has not tapped its full promotional potential yet. And it’s worth noting that the „Aazaan” crew weren’t the first Bollywood visitors.
They have made quite a few films in Poland, for instance, amid the majestic Tatra Mountains. Speaking of which, the Tatra Mountains were the site of a major film scandal in 1987. During the production of „The Bermuda Triangle„, a shelter in Polana Pisana in the Kościeliska Valley was destroyed!
The Tatras aren’t only beloved by Bollywood, though. Several Polish films, like Agnieszka Holland’s „Prowokator” and Krzysztof Zanussi’s „Illumination”, also found a home in these enchanting mountains.
Reliving Krakow’s Past
Now, if you’re a fan of local history, I believe films serve as a fantastic record of places that have either vanished or been transformed entirely. This is particularly true for movies from the ’60s and ’70s. Consider „Podróż za jeden uśmiech” (first episode), „Jowita”, „Jak być kochanym”, or „The Treasure of Three Rogues”. I personally recommend the last one – it’s like a time machine transporting you back to early ’70s Krakow and the iconic, albeit currently closed, Hotel Cracovia.
A Salute to Krakow’s Cinematic Legacy
In the spirit of celebrating Krakow’s film history, here’s a list of some other films shot in this charming city:
- 33 Sceny z Życia (dir. Małgorzata Szumowska, 2008)
- Anioł w Krakowie (dir. Artur Więcek, 2002)
- Vinci (dir. Juliusz Machulski, 2004)
- Zezowate Szczęście (dir. Andrzej Munk, 1960)
- Wodzirej (dir. Feliks Falk, 1978)
- Uwikłanie (dir. Jacek Bromski, 2011)
- Katyń (dir. Andrzej Wajda, 2007)
- Karol. The Man Who Became Pope (dir. Giacomo Battiato, 2005)
- Nie Kłam kochanie (dir. Piotr Wereśniak, 2008)
- Schindler’s List (dir. Steven Spielberg, 1993)
References:
- https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kategoria:Filmy_kr%C4%99cone_w_Krakowie
