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Cast
Marian Kociniak
as Franciszek Dolas
Janina Borońska
as Elżbieta
Adam Cyprian
as Gulke's Brother
Wirgiliusz Gryń
as Józek Kryska
Zdzisław Kuźniar
as Dimo Stojadinovic
Józef Łodyński
as Stoker
Jarosław Skulski
as Colonel
Tomasz Zaliwski
as Yugoslavian Officer
Elżbieta Starostecka
as Singer
Emil Karewicz
as Gestapo Officer in Austria
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1970
Runtime1h 26m
LanguageSerbo-Croatian
CertificationNR
GenresComedy, War, Adventure
Votes66
DirectorTadeusz Chmielewski
WritersTadeusz Chmielewski
TypeFeature Film
Rating7.6 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsHow I Unleashed World War II, Part I: The Escape
About How I Unleashed World War II, Part I: The Escape
On the night of August 31, 1939, Dolas, from a platoon reinforcing a train station on the German border, falls asleep in a train car and unknowingly crosses into Germany. The moment he shoots a German, who he thinks is a saboteur, the German invasion of Poland begins, and Dolas is convinced it was his fault. He is taken to Stalag POW camp, the first destination in his odyssey around Europe.
Directed by Tadeusz Chmielewski, How I Unleashed World War II, Part I: The Escape leans on a strong ensemble — Marian Kociniak, Janina Borońska, Adam Cyprian — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1970.
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