'The Shadow Line' ('Smuga cienia' in the original Polish) is director Andrzej Wajda's follow-up to his far more acclaimed 'The Promised Land'. Like that previous film it has lush cinematography and glorious wide angle lens compositions. Both also benefit from gorgeous theme music from Wojciech Kilar, whose work is about on par as the great classical composers. Like 'The Promised Land' it's also a literary adaption- -from Joseph Conrad this time, leading to what is to my knowledge the only English language film in the great director's entire filmography, unless I'm overlooking something.

The language isn't the only difference this film has from Wajda's previous film. It's not as opulent and crazy, moving at a stately pace and tackling a more intimate story. The director's usual political themes are absent, and the runtime is more concise than some of his other films. (Compare this film's 100 minutes to 'Man of Marble's 165, 'The Promised Land's 180, or the whopping 234 (!) for 'The Ashes').

The story follows a fictional version of Conrad himself, recently made captain somewhere in the Orient, and the problems he encounters on his first voyage as such. The ship gets becalmed, fever breaks out among the crew, and the somewhat deranged first mate blames it all on the previous dead captain's 'old tricks'. This vague supernatural underpinning is excellent at creating an atmosphere of uncertainty, especially as the ship, and maybe even Conrad himself, slowly sink in a mire of sickness and possible madness. It's remarkable how engrossing the film manages to be when there isn't much in the way of action or drama- -other than a few intense moments the film is very realistic and almost sedate. But it's still an excellent adaption, certainly worth a watch.

Currently this film is available for free on YouTube. The main character does narrate in Polish during some scenes, and this is not subtitled; however, it is fairly infrequent.

It's a shame that this English-speaking film is totally unknown in the US due to its unavailability. It's one of the great adaptations of Conrad to film. The first part, on land before the sea voyage, was filmed on location in Burma with some really fine British actors, particularly the actor who plays the older captain who gets him the job (I'd like to know who that is). The photography, especially the use of color and light, is extraordinary and Wajda captures the sense of a real place and time. (It really should be seen on the big screen.) This is about one of those Conrad voyages where nothing goes right. It's a young man's first experience as captain: his ship becalmed, an ailing crew, and a half-mad first mate who claims the ship is jinxed by the former captain. While the essence of the story--a dead calm and nothing happening--is a difficult subject to film, Wajda is up to the task and the film is engrossing throughout. And the dialogue isn't plagued by the tin-ear that than can occur when English is not the director's first language. Just a terrific job all around.