The life of Kazimierz Pulaski began when the nation of Poland was known as the Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania. Pulaski was born in 1745 in Warsaw. The mansion where he lived was destroyed in World War II, however part of his family's estate in Winiary, near Warsaw, (now the town of Warka), still stands. Opening there, the film will recall 18th Century life on a Polish noble's estate in an idyllic natural setting.
The Narrator will point out that refined life of Polish families such as the Pulaskis in the 1700's is evident from heirlooms that - against all odds - have been preserved in Warka: medallions, paintings, and engravings depicting life in Poland then - as well as furniture, fine china and books. As these treasures are being shown, the Narrator will describe the cultured Pulaski home environment during the formative years of young Kazimierz, his brothers (Franciszek and Antoni) and his sisters. The family's strong religious background will be emphasized.
A historian will comment on the patriotism of the Pulaski family long before Casimir - or his father Josef - was born. Irony will be found in noting that, although Christian Poland had helped stop the Turks in the crucial Battle of Vienna in 1683, now Austria was an adversary in an alliance with Russia and Prussia.
After old newspaper clippings from 1768 headline the formation of the Confederation of Bar (one of the three principal founding patriots being Josef Pulaski, Kazimierz's father), an 18th Century map will be shown, with the town of Bar encircled boldly.
Historians will explain that the foremost aim of the Confederation was to defend time-honored borders of the Polish nation. Another aim was to maintain the 1,000 year-old Roman Catholic identity of Poland and to control the Orthodox Church -- which was especially strong in the part of Poland that is now Ukraine.
The Narrator will comment that, within months, Jozef Pulaski's key role in the Confederation had drawn the three Pulaski brothers into the fighting against the invading forces. The Narrator will recall the complex situation in which the Polish King Stanislaw August Poniatowski found himself.
Utter disdain for Polish sovereignty was manifested by the Russian army and by the Ambassador of Tsarina Catherine of Russia (Catherine the Great) - a militant adherent of the Orthodox faith. A map of Poland at that time - highlighting the Ukraine - will be seen as the Narrator remarks that Tsarina Catherine insisted that Russia was coming to the rescue of the faithful Ukrainian Orthodox.
By maps, plans, drawings, and portraits from that time, viewers will be led through the classic interiors of the Royal Poniatowski Lazienki Palace in Warsaw, the building on Miodowa street, then serving as the Russian Embassy, then the palaces of Polish aristocracy, magnificent churches and other significant places in Warsaw - as well as the surrounding areas.
Historians will explain that, within Poland, the King also had grave problems. Simultaneously he faced antagonism from both the Polish nobility and the Roman Catholic clergy.
This period will be illustrated by exhibits from museums and archives. Official reports from St. Petersburg will be quoted showing the deteriorating political situation, when Russians treated Poland as a subject state of the Russian Tsarina.
To understand the Poland of Pulaski's time, a map of all Europe in the mid-1700's is important. The enormous size of the Polish countryside - with its vast expanses of arable land and forests - will place in context the recurring invasions by Russian Army.
A historian will outline the agenda of the Confederation of Bar, the activities of its leaders (including Father Marek), and the difficult political and military circumstances in which the Confederates struggled (they had Russian armies and King armies against them). Their overoptimistic hopes to benefit from Russia's conflict with Ottoman Turkey will be recounted while old maps, drawing and portraits - as well as contemporary landscapes - are viewed.
Despite his young age (his early 20s), Pulaski's changeable fortunes in the Polish army from 1768 to 1772 were years of exceptional courage, perseverance and military brilliance. Interrupted by occasional muted cannon fire and other battle sounds; names and places known for the young commander's battles will be pronounced and flashed on screen over engravings and paintings of the cities of Berdyczow, Zamosc, Jasna Gora monastery and fortress ( together with contemporary panoramas and details), and other places.
Documents, flags, uniforms, weapons, field equipment, and other battle gear used by the Confederates, the Polish Royal Forces and the Russians will be seen in comprehensive footage from the Polish War Museum. Description of army life found in Memoirs, of the time will be quoted. Accounts of battles will be read from journal articles, Russian Memoirs and Pulaski's own letters to his friends. The songs of the Bar Confederation, some of them with Pulaski as their main hero will be introduced in the film soundtrack.
Some Confederation commanders' criticism of Pulaski because of his daring in the battle and his apparent disregard for the Confederation's military commanders and General Staff will be acknowledged. The Narrator will also quote from reports of Pulaski's battles as printed - and eagerly read - in the Polish, French,Russian and other European press of the time and Memoirs of his contemporaries.
The meeting between Pulaski and the Austrain Emperor at Preszow in Slovakia (where the General Staff and the leaders of the Confederation were headquartered at the time), will be shown in a contemporary sketch while the Narrator comments that the powerful emperor Joseph II himself took an interest in the military knowledge and skills of the young commander and asked to meet Pulaski.
An intriguing figure in Pulaski's young life, Franciszka Krasinska, will be presented in drawings and engravings, as a historian tells the story of their relationship: after Franciszka's friendship - of disputed nature - with Pulaski began, she became the wife of Prince Karol of Kurlandia. Even so, Pulaski was known to have visited her several times on her estates. His letters to her will suggest that Franciszka was an intelligent and influential aristocrat who cultivated contacts with many members of the Confederation and attempted to influence its future. Pulaski listened to her advice and she admired his military abilities.
This segment of the film will be embellished by letters and mementos. A typical 18th Century salon will be the background as the Narrator reads from their letters. The last shot will be a view of a rider on horseback, hurrying away from a manor - suggesting Pulaski leaving his lady after a visit.
Conflicts arising within the Confederation will be discussed by prominent historians. One casualty of the disunity was Kazimierz's father, Jozef Pulaski, who died in Turkish captivity caused by his Polish political opponent, Joachim Potocki, although they were being overwhelmed by Russian forces at the time.
Journal excerpts and official records will illustrate the political quagmire in which Colonel Kazimierz Pulaski found himself - especially after his gallant father's death.
In the film the unclear part Pulaski played in an unsuccessful plot to abduct King Stanislaw August Poniatowski ( with a plan to win him over to the Confederation side) will be the last demonstration of his free spirit in Poland. A historian will comment that this attempt to reverse the fate of Bar Confederation resulted in a trial where Pulaski was falsely charged with attempted regicide.
The Narrator will point out that Pulaski's trial was conducted under the supervision of Tsarist authorities and, therefore, that his sentence in absentia - death - leaves us wondering who actually organized the King's abduction and who issued the verdict. Here the court building, a portrait of Repnin - Russian ambassador, his letters, documents, and pictures of the Tsarina will be viewed. In 1772, (the year Pulaski left Poland), the Narrator will note, Polish territory was being annexed with by Russia and Prussia - with the aid of Austria. The old map will be seen with Poland stripped to one-third its size. As this segment of the documentary ends, a historian will summarize Pulaski's next three years of exile, including his attempt to organize a Polish military unit in Ottoman Turkey.
Throughout the Narration, Polish museum exhibits will be viewed - especially the booty King Sobieski took from Turks in Vienna Battle: arms, uniforms, rugs, tents and other pieces.
An artistic rendering of the meeting of Kazimierz Pulaski and Benjamin Franklin at Passy, France will be the last image of his life in Europe.
The next period in Pulaski's life will be introduced by introspective thoughts from his letters on the ocean voyage to America. Footage of the sea and on board an old sailing ship will be shown as the excerpts are read.
Scenes of colonial Philadelphia will be the background for the Narrator's remarks about Pulaski's arrival and his first contacts with George Washington and other leaders of the American revolution at the Moland House. Paintings , engravings, with the contemporary view of the Old Philadelphia and Independence Hall interiors will recall the Continental Congress in session directing the conduct of the War for Independence.
In 1777, for distinguished service at the Battle of Brandywine, the Polish patriot was appointed Brigadier General of the American Light Mounted Dragoons. The Narrator will explain that there had not yet been a formal cavalry in the Continental Army, whose irregular mounted units were used as auxiliaries. One of the historians will comment that Pulaski began to be known as the "Father of the United States Cavalry". When his high commission by the Continental Congress caused tension with some of the American officers who were passed over for advancement, and with some soldiers unfamiliar with aristocratic bearing and comportment, he attracted German and British soldiers who had deserted the British army. These men together with his Polish and French officers became "Pulaski's Legion".
Letters, Congress documents and local press will be read to describe the extreme hardship that Washington's poorly clothed, poorly equipped, and poorly fed soldiers suffered -the battlefield conditions confronting the young general from Poland. In his journal he also writes of his commission to develop on American soil the best possible cavalry and to convince Washington and the American officers that his cavalrymen were affective. The problems he overcame will be discussed by the Narrator while maps , uniforms, and battle gear are shown, along with documents and newspapers.
Alternating with pictoral views of the American countryside will illustrate the advance made by the cavalry led by Pulaski and the engagements with the British - Philadelphia (Kensington, Germantown), Haddonfield (where his horse was killed in battle), Little Egg Harbor, Charleston. Excerpts from newspaper articles of the time, documents, Gen. Washington's letters will illustrate that the Pulaski legend began to grow in America.
A historian will relate anecdotes about Pulaski's acquaintances of the time, notably Washington and General Lafayette, and General Tadeusz Kosciuszko. Paintings and archival items from the museum at Valley Forge, Savannah, Philadelphia, and Mount Vernon , George Washington's home, will be shown.
Pulaski's last battle at Savannah, Georgia will be the climax of the film. If funding permits, the battle site could be recreated in a simplified computer representation - to be shown as a map on which a specialist would present, in turn, the English defenses, the battle plan decided upon by the American and French commanders, the position of Pulaski Legion, the array of forces, the phases of the battle as it developed and finally Pulaski final attack when he was wounded. The Narrator will recall the succesful efforts of French surgeon to withdrow the bullet from his leg still on the battlefield.
This segment of the film would present the strategic and military realities of the time. Shots of the actual places as they are today in Savannah would be juxtaposed with historical images in sketches, engravings, paintings and maps.
Near the end of the film, its attention will turn to Pulaski's death aboard the brig "Wasp". The Narrator will mention his young age-32 years-and his life of dedication to the cause of freedom, equally cherished by the United States and Poland. From a letter, written by the ship's master, Captain Bullfinch the Narrator will quote the passages about Pulaski's death. The passages of French officer notebook will be read describing the reactions after Pulaski's death, especially in Charleston, where the honorary ceremonies were organised after his last battle. A view of the city will be juxtaposed with the old drawings.
Historian Edward Pinkowski will relate his recent discoveries about Pulaski's death and burial. The place of Pulaski's grave will be shown - dismissing the long prevailing belief that he was buried at sea.
Passages from the Continental Congress declaration after his death will be read with the view of empty desks of the members of Congress as they are preserved till today in Philadelphia's Independence Hall.
A succession of chronological sketches , paintings, engravins, stamps related to the high points of his life will be accompanied by a reprise of passages from the two national anthems.
The final scenes of the film will be dramatic views of monuments built - in Washington, Philadelphia, end elsewhere - to honor Casimir Pulaski, a Polish hero who lost his life in the cause of American Independence.
(c) Jolanta Kessler-Chojecka
(c) Media Kontakt