Through and Through: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Poland, 1973
Director: Grzegorz Królikiewicz
Writer: Grzegorz Królikiewicz
Cast: Franciszek Trzeciak, Anna Nieborowska, Irena Ladosiówna, Lucyna Winnicka, Ewa Zdzieszynska, Halina Szram-Kijowska, Jerzy Block, Aleksander Czajczynski, Marcel Novek, Edward Radulski, Janusz Sykutera, Jerzy Stuhr, Jerzy Zalewski, Boguslaw Sochnacki

Release Date: August 18th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 70 Minutes 37 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Polish
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK)

"Jan (Franciszek Trzeciak) and Maria (Anna Nieborowska) become a couple in 1930s Kraków. Jan tries to get a job as an architect but fails. They struggle with poverty and extreme humiliation. Their attempt to survive leads to a desperate crime." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Through and Through was restored in 2K by Wytwórnia Filmów Dokumentalnych i Fabularnych (WFDiF) under the supervision of cinematographer Bogdan Dziworski at reKINO and DI Factory. The restoration was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, and the Polish Film Institute. The film was supplied to Radiance Films as a digital file and is presented in the original aspect ratio."

Through and Through comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 36.9 GB

Feature: 20.6 GB

The source looks excellent; image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image always looks organic.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Polish with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clear and balanced, and ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an interview with film critic Michał Oleszczyk (37 minutes 49 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), three short films directed by Grzegorz Królikiewicz: Everyone Gets What They Don’t Need (11 minutes 38 seconds, 1.37:1 aspect ratio, LPCM mono Polish with removable English subtitles), Brothers (6 minutes 53 seconds, 1.37:1 aspect ratio, LPCM mono Polish with removable English subtitles) and Don’t Cry (9 minutes 51 seconds, 1.37:1 aspect ratio, LPCM mono with text in Polish and removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 20-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, an essay titled Altered States: The Cinema of Grzegorz Królikiewicz written by Ela Bittencourt, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

A married couple who are struggling financially since the husband lost his job become desperate, and an attempted robbery leads to the murder of an elderly couple and their disabled child.

Though the opening setup provides enough details about the husband and wife who drive the narrative, things are not as fleshed out as they would be in a more conventional film. The narrative effectively propels the story forward, culminating in a powerful courtroom finale. In a final act of defiance, the husband and wife attempt to persuade the court of each other's innocence.

Through and Through is not a film that relies more on images than exposition. The narrative and visuals in Through and Through do not adhere to conventional storytelling techniques, yet the unfolding events remain easy to follow. Additionally, the film consistently fills the frame with striking imagery, and the camera movement significantly enhances the overall mood.

When discussing the performances, there are only two of note: Franciszek Trzeciak and Anna Nieborowska, who portray the husband and wife. Both of their performances are flawless. While none of the performances are poor, the other cast members play minor roles that are overshadowed by the two leads.

Besides visuals, sound plays a significant role in Through and Through; the combination of these two elements counterbalances the sparse dialog and minimal character backstory. Another asset is Janusz Hajdun and Henryk Kuzniak’s exemplary score, which does a phenomenal job reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, Through and Through is an innovative film that's overflowing with experimentation.

Through and Through gets an excellent release from Radiance Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation, three short films, and a pair of insightful extras; highly recommended.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer