User reviews

This is actually sad that ukrainian people started forgetting their own history. We have to remember our own history, no matter if it's good history or bad.

...but not really known in the rest of Europe and world. Important film, nobody every told this story in the film world. Very graphic though - as usual with the director Smarzowski. Most of his films are made with this idea of starting with light themes, here it's a wedding and then with time becoming more and more dark and gloomy. This one will leave you speechless. I strongly recommend this one, but viewer discretion is strongly advised.

I have seen my fair share of horror and gore movies but the most harrowing of horror films are those based on real events and the worst horrors are the ones being depicted not by imaginary monsters but by human beings.

Fair warning this one is a tough watch even if you're used to such films, it does not shy away from the violence that was committed during this time so be prepared to see men, woman and small children (even babies) being brutally murdered in some of the worst ways possible.

Overall this was a well made movie and I enjoyed it as a film but was completely shook up by it's content, not being a European myself (though familiar with these events) I still found it difficult at times to tell who was who as it involves Poles, Ukrainians, Jews, Germans and Russians including all the partisan groups and even mixtures of the above so one must pay close attention to follow along.

If you're looking for a good anti-war film this is it, after watching you will be utterly disgusted with what took place and if you're not then you're not human.

It is true that too much violence can soften the effect. But this is not the case here. It was a shocking and fascinating cinematic experience. I love the work of Wojciech Smarzowski. Nobody else does this kind of filming around here. And the MOST shocking thing for me personally, coming from an academic household that is specifically proud of his high education: I did NOT know anything about this at all..! None of my friends knew anything about this before I told them! Poles are still looked down on in this class, and not talked about. As were the Ukrainians by the Poles back then. Please watch and spread it whereever you can.

I must say that I'm shocked by this movie. Massacre usually happens during invasion, for example Japan did several massacres to China including the Nanjing Massacre （which Japan still doesn't admit）. But this one happened in Wolyn is even worse, because it happened between neighborhoods, they were living together, harvesting together, marrying to each other, then someday UPA came, everything changed. I saw the very worst of human nature inspired by the nationalism. All good thing slaughtered.

Well, where to begin. Films about genocide, especially such touchy subject as Polish-Ukranian relations in 1939-1943 in the region of Wolyn, are not an easy treat. The very theme of mass murder and brotherly hate is never easy, so this epic film about mass atrocities of Poles in Wolyn leaves a very heavy heart. If you are afraid of ferocious scenes, blood, dismembered bodies, mutilated kids or burned villages, then don't. Don't try to watch this film. It is awesome, it is executed with a n utmost precision and the tempo is impeccable, but it is way too difficult to see all those horrible scenes and what is even more horrid is the fact that it's never going to be easier, but only heavier and gloomier and worse for main hero and her suffering family. I will not retell the events of this film, just want to say - be warned and watch this at your discretion, as this is a very very severe and naked fear film. It demands all your patience and certain amount of guts, yes, guts, since the bloody scenes are really frightening. Need I say more? This is a masterpiece, truly so.

When I went to see this movie I thought I know everything about the events this picture is based on. I have heard that the movie will show them without any censorship. However, I was not prepared for the real horror of those events. The movie is graphic, but it does not go overboard. It does, however touch your soul. If you ever asked yourself what the real terror looks like, this is it. What makes it tough is that the terror is brought to you by the people you know well, your next door neighbors, your spouse or even your brother.

Do not expect anybody laughing or even talking after the movie is over.

It is a great movie. Don't miss it.

The eastern limits of Poland were set after WWI along the Curzon line, roughly today's boundary. After Poland's victory over the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War, the boundary was shifted East. Some regions of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire such as Volhyn (the original title of this movie) and Eastern Galicia became de facto Polish, although Poles were a minority; for Volhyn the percentages were 70%, 16% and 10% for Ukrainians, Poles and Jews.

The film begins with a village wedding in Volyn shortly before the outbreak of WWII. The various ethnic groups are seen living in wary mistrust of each other. From conversations we learn that Ukrainians resent their heavy handed treatment by Polish authorities. Use of the Ukrainian language is forbidden or discouraged. Ukrainian schools are being closed. So are Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches, some demolished, others converted to Catholic churches.

In September 1939 the Soviets occupy Volhyn and Eastern Galicia in answer to Hitler's invasion of Poland. In June 1941 the region is overrun and occupied by Nazi troops on their way to invade the Soviet Union. Initially, some Ukrainians welcome the Germans in the belief they would support a free, independent Ukraine, but this hope is soon dashed. Some extreme right wing diehards such as the OUN = Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and its paramilitary branch the UPA = Ukrainian Insurgent Army ally themselves with the occupiers and carry out a bloody campaign of ethnic cleansing against Polish and other minorities. This is the backdrop for the story, which centers on the the vicissitudes of bride Hela and sister Zosia during the war.

This film does everything well, including an even handed treatment of controversial history. It is spoken in Polish, Ukrainian and Russian and the subtitles do a good job of identifying each language. It is available in the streaming services under the title Hatred, the name of the novel on which it is based.

I grew up hearing stories from my grandparents that were from Lwow. Lwow is now part of Ukraine and near the Wolyn area where this movie takes place. Hearing my grandfather saying how he would patrol his village with pitchforks was one thing. Hearing about atrocities committed made you wonder if people are capable of such acts. This movie brought his stories to life in shocking truth and reality. One item that was also true was that Poles would find more safety with the Nazi oppressors, rather than surrounding Ukrainian neighbors. In fact, one story that was not presented, that may be good to share, is that Germans provided rifles to some polish villages so residents could protect themselves. Incredible movie that shows history that is not at all known in most circles.

A Polish drama; A story set during World War II about a young woman and her attempt to survive while mayhem surrounds her in the region of eastern Poland bordering Ukraine called Volhynia. The film's central theme is Polish-Ukrainian inter-ethnic hatred, culminating in massacres of Poles. It is based on true events and true accounts from witnesses, though there were some crimes carried out by Poles on Ukrainians, which has proved divisive. There are some scenes that will simply take the viewers' breath away with the graphic nature of the killings depicted. The film is gripping, well-acted, and probably one of the most controversial films for a generation.

Movie will be probably marked as 1 on IMDb rating by Ukrainian users of IMDb (same like Promise by Turks?). Ukrainian actors whose played in this movie, lost their's jobs after premiere. Those actors had jobs in Ukrainians theaters. Despite the fact that movie is bloody and brutal it shows only small part of cruelties which Ukrainians done during Wolyn genocide to Poles, Jewish, Czechs and other nations. What is important it shows also good Ukrainians. Why important it is estimated that on five Poles killed there were one Ukrainian who were killed becose he didn't want to kill those Poles. This hero Ukrainians there were at least 20 000. Today loots of Ukrainians are proud to carry half black half red flags and they thinks that Bandera and UPA were heroes. Well they weren't. They were just monsters and butchers whose main passion were killing innocent civilians with forks hammers and saws.

I found this film the best war film I have ever seen. A must see film !!!

Dire, thick atmosphere of waiting for massacre you knew that will happen. Pure terror unleashed at night, when neighbors come to kill you in one hundred different ways preceded by showing how this community was like at time of peace. You would not think that it is really possible. Marriages, working together, social space and to some degree language is common. But there are some differences on both sides...

Dmytro Klyachkivsky citation: "We should make a large action of the liquidation of the Polish element."

To understand this film properly you need some historic and psychological (Lucifer effect) background. I am certain that when reversed things would have gone south anyway.

Wolyn (Volhynia) is historic region where poles and Ruthenians lived peacefully for centuries (by that I mean peasants).

Around XVII century Poland gained more territory in what today is called Ukraine. Polish noble class assimilated Ruthenian (today Ukrainian) noble class. One of Ruthenians even become elected king of the Commonwealth of Polish and Lithuania.

Wolyn alone was in polish rule from XIV century.

This whole territory east of Wolyn and including Wolyn was a place where polish peasant run away from polish noble class (szlachta) rule and mixed with local Ruthenian population.

Commonwealth wanted to suppress those people. Thousands of them remained on king payroll as soldiers - so they knew how to fight. Those people responded accordingly with Chmielnicki uprisings, killing Poles and assimilated Ruthenian nobles. Century of bloodshed ended by Russian subjugating most of these lands. This is why eastern Ukraine (Russian rule) is different from western Ukraine (Polish rule).

Era of nationalism resulted in Ukrainian National Revival when Ukrainian people gained new identity and were distancing from Polish and Russian cultures.

In interbellum period in Poland unfortunately won the idea of unity - Ukrainians and Belorussians was to be assimilated into Polish culture (there was project of creating Polish, Belorussian and Ukrainian separated states in confederation) Ukrainians responded with violence.

And film starts when this period is about to end. Firstly Russians witch to this date see Ukraine as "little Russia" in a derogatory way) and next Germans which promised own state to Ukrainians.

Ukraine had seen Hitler as they savior in a way. Organisation born from this feelings decided that Wolyn must be ethnically cleansed to ensure Ukrainian nature of this region in future.

That's when Lucifer Effect starts to sink in. Same was in Tutsi - Hutu case.

...or perhaps better spelled Szal Krwi. Quite literally, blood frenzy. I don't think this movie is horrifying to the extent that it becomes gratuitous. There's a REASON war survivors and Veterans literally can NOT talk about what they've seen. Acts of war--particularly among neighbors--are typically the worst. That is a long time brooding personal slights; ever hear the phrase Familiarity Breeds Contempt...? For the religious folks: Do you think it's an accident that neighbors actually made it into the Ten Commandments...? I always found that hilarious, because in my lifetime of merely half a century, neighbors have ALWAYS been the bane of my existence. Since childhood, really.

SO. Now I know what they were talking about, my grandparents. Once that piranha type blood frenzy starts...it gets brutal. I don't think this movie has ANY over the top gore, because that is the very NATURE of war.

In fact, I wish the movie was seen more in the USA because if there is a Civil War again on USA soil: THAT is what it's going to look like, esp if they take your guns away. First thing the Germans asked, "Where are your guns?" Before promptly putting them on a train to concentration camps. Or just delivery of corpses, which is cheaper for them in the long run.

This movie shows you that this isn't about the blues, the reds, the yellows, the greens: This is PEOPLE ON PEOPLE crimes that are mind boggling. What we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat.

This movie also broke me...another Moral of the Story is DO NOT LOOK IN THE BUCKETS. I had paused the second bucket scene because I could not make out what it was. WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS.

Humor at about 1:07, where she shouts and the baby jumps. I did get a giggle out of that.

Again, I cannot stress enough how difficult this movie can be to watch, and if we do not pay attention to what is happening around us (anywhere: Because if you think this was the first time civilian war has happened, or you think this was the last time it could happen: You are deluding yourself)...WE ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT.

10/10 for content, acting, pace, FX, even the captions are amazing, because you're listening to four or five different languages throughout.

A very powerful movie. The acting and cinematography were excellent. Michalina Labacz especially shines in her lead role. Although the movie is two and a half hours long the pacing keeps your attention throughout.

As many have noted, this film has a great deal of graphic violence. Not only quick killings, but also gruesome torture. It is a testament to the director that for the most part he does not linger on such scenes. For me, it was not always the case, and there were several times that I had to look away.

The characters are numerous and of many nationalities and religions, but the movie rarely casts anyone as black and white caricatures. No side comes out as pure and innocent, or completely evil. Along with the massacres by Ukrainians, we also see the arrogance of Polish upper class village residents, and even protection by some German soldiers.

The swirl of death on all sides and by all sides leaves one numb by the end, but it important story. In addition to telling the story of an often overlooked part of East European history, it also is a more general warning of how easily the dark side of humanity can come forward in times of adversity.

Wow , I don't think I've felt as sad after a film . Immediately it made me want to learn more about the history surrounding this period of the war .

First of all i'd warn you this film is graphic if you think about Rwanda you'll be prepared . Poland in the 20th century stood on the political and aspirational fault line between Germany and Russia and became the battlefield of those two opposing forces . It's history is intertwined with the rise and fall of the central and Eastern European empires namely Poland-Lithuania, Russia , Ukraine , Habsberg , Austria-Hungary , Nazi Germany , Naploeonic French Republic just to name a few and as a result the ethnic mix within its borders contains a volatile religious fault line between Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity . It's this fault line that provides the plot of the film .

The script , costume , acting and cinematography all deserve praise . We start with the happiness of inter marriage weddings and the national songs that go along with that and end with destruction hatred and death , it's not a happy film but it's not a triumphant slice of history , it's a period of time that man should be ashamed of how sick he can become when encouraged to by those who wear the cloth of god and should know better .

But it is an important film and I'm glad I've seen it but it really made me sad .

It's definitely worth seeing but be prepared to lose your smile .

Motion pictures set within time and place of a great historical value seems to be the current trend for Polish film makers. Every "patriotic" movie receives a tremendous promotion before it even hits the box office. It was pretty much the same case with "Wołyń". The director seems to be working with the same choice of actors which is a good thing as they can definitely deliver. The performance of the cast makes this sad historical drama gripping. The story which was based on the real (extremely controversial) events is also the key factor of a very positive reception among the viewers. Being aware of the fact that the subject of the story requires careful handling, Smarzowski included several scenes which absolutely don't fit the whole movie causing a bit of a confusion. However, the scenes save the movie from potential political accusations.

A story from views usually unknown and too easy forgotten. Portrait with a real story and how easy "dog eats dog". The factions how shallow they are is depicted properly. As it was everywhere during the WW2. The eels survived.. The grit and do and helplessness is also well described. Well worth the view.

I must say that I really love that film. I have heard almost nothing prior to watching this film, about movie itself. However I am very familiar with those events at south-east of Poland. I love how Smarzowski managed to replicate climate of these ages, the bond between polish and ukrainian community and its slow corruption within the time. Suddenly the the slavic peace full of tradition is brutally interrupted by Germans aggression followed by russians one. obviously polish people were victims slaughtered by ukrainian peasants, but there is much more in this movie. all bad things what happens durring wwII are shown here, sometimes very graphic - but the truth was even worse. I enjoy the storyline, miracle survivors and the fact the human life price was close to nothing. The only flaw I must say, its bit small attention given to so called AK - polish underground army. they were haunted mercilessly by both sides Germans and russians and they were stuck between their commit to national cause and defending its citizens - however I understand this might be good theme for the separate movie.

This never achieves its full potential because of poor editing. The scenes don't follow on one another in such a way to permit coherent storytelling. Had a better job been done with the script and editing, the film could have been a winner!

Just go see this film, very real, very powerful, vey emotional and somehow entertianing. Love the actress Michalina, playing a vey tough and challenging role, from an innocent teenage girl to a grown woman of three kids but still very covincing, which reminds me Leonado Decarprio from Catch me if you can, it's a 5 stars performance! By the way, seriously have no idea how people rated this film with one star.

This film was excellent.. Even wife made herself set through all the really graphic scenes involved..(possibly some of the most realistic graphics Ive seen on film) because the story is just SOOOO fascinating...I admit.. without knowing the actual history behind it.. I got easily lost on who was who and which were the guys to root for... But it works it way out ... really enjoyable film just be careful about WHEN you chose to watch this..its not for ALL eyes.... not the young kids anyways.

This film is every bit as good, if not better than, " Come and See" which has been praised for over 30 yrs. Fantastic actors and writing, although the wedding at beginning of film lasted far too long. Unbelievable inhumanity which makes me fear for today, with nationalism making such an unwelcome return to world events.