Stanley Kubrick, without a doubt, is one of the greatest filmmakers in cinema history. His works, much like gold nuggets, shone brilliantly wherever they were touched. Renowned for expanding the boundaries of narrative, Kubrick stands among a select few directors whose bodies of work are almost impeccable. Ranging from the trailblazing and initially contentious anti-war film Paths of Glory (1957) to his chilling 1980 adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining, Kubrick’s films are frequently held in high regard, often being praised as close to cinematic storytelling perfection.
In other words, if Kublick commended something for its brilliance, we can be certain that he had a keen eye for quality. Notably, Kubrick was meticulous, often pushing boundaries to achieve the ideal shot. Remarkably, even the 1989 Polish TV miniseries managed to impress him so much that he referred to it as a masterpiece.
Kubrick was Deeply Moved By Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Dekalog
A 10-Episode Miniseries Based On the Ten Commandments
Stanley Kubrick, a filmmaker, was not one to casually call everything ‘amazing,’ ‘masterpiece’ or even ‘quality content.’ Instead, he set and upheld exceptionally high standards for himself and his craft, filmmaking. One rare instance where he admired the work of others was with the Polish miniseries titled Dekalog (1989-1990), also known as Dekalog: The Ten Commandments or The Decalogue. This series, co-written by Krzysztof Kieślowski and Krzysztof Piesiewicz, was directed by Kieślowski. Consisting of 10 hour-long episodes, each episode drew inspiration from one of the Ten Commandments.
In discussing the screenplays by Krzysztof Kieslowski and his collaborator, Krzysztof Piesiewicz, it’s important to note their exceptional talent for turning concepts into compelling narratives, rather than simply expounding on them. This method allows the audience to uncover the essence of the story themselves, instead of having it explicitly explained. Their mastery of this technique is so subtle that you often don’t recognize the depth of impact until long after their ideas have resonated deeply within your heart.
– Stanley Kubrick’s 1991 foreword to Kieslowski & Piesiewicz, Decalogue: The Ten Commandments
In his own words, Kubrick considered Kieslowski and Piesiewicz as masters of their craft. Kubrick believed that these two filmmakers knew the essence of storytelling: showing instead of telling. The fundamental principle of narration is to let the audience perceive and feel the events rather than being told about them. This approach makes the narrative more genuine and facilitates empathy, as viewers can experience things firsthand. Kubrick admired that Kieslowski and Piesiewicz’s work enabled their audience to uncover the truth for themselves, making them active participants in an engaging storyline.
Kubrick underscores that the narratives crafted by Kieslowski and Piesiewicz are not just entertaining but leave a lasting impression on viewers. He asserts these stories resonate deeply, which is an exceptional praise any storyteller could receive. It’s one thing to appreciate a film or series in the moment; it’s another to find yourself pondering over it days, weeks, and even years later. Intriguingly, according to Kubrick’s executive producer, Jan Harlan, the scripts for Dekalog were the only introductions Kubrick ever penned.
Dekalog Used the Ten Commandments to Tell Powerful Stories About Morality
Each Episode Covers a Different Commandment
In every episode of Dekalog, a narrative unfolds that draws from a specific theme, and each movie bears a number as its title, which symbolically represents the commandment it aims to illustrate. Remarkably, Kieślowski never explicitly referred to the series as “The Ten Commandments,” but the connection between the films and the Biblical commandments is quite apparent.
| Episode | Commandment | Theme of the Episode |
| Dekalog: One | I am the Lord thy God… thou shalt not have other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image… Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them. | The advancement of science and how it becomes the focal point of many people’s admiration and worship. |
| Dekalog: Two | Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. | Names are an important and necessary part of one’s identity. One’s name holds one to their word, which is how they interact with the rest of the world. |
| Dekalog: Three | Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. | The meaning of specific days/times of the day. |
| Dekalog: Four | Honor thy father and thy mother. | Relationships are fundamental to one’s identity, especially where family is concerned. |
| Dekalog: Five | Thou shalt not kill. | Murder and the consequences of serious crime. |
| Dekalog: Six | Thou shalt not commit adultery. | How love and passion correlate. |
| Dekalog: Seven | Thou shalt not steal. | Temptation and how ownership is a fundamental part of being human. |
| Dekalog: Eight | Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. | Truth and how it can be smothered by evil. |
| Dekalog: Nine | Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife. | Sex, envy, and being faithful to a chosen person. |
| Dekalog: Ten | Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods. | Personal relationships and the greed that can sometimes bloom between people. |
Although each story can be enjoyed individually, they share common elements such as being set in 1980s Warsaw and featuring characters who reside within a large housing project. As a result, while the stories are self-contained, they all take place in roughly the same geographical area. Each tale explores ethical quandaries related to themes like ownership, sex, relationships, and more heavy subjects such as murder.
Each Commandment underscores the importance or sacredness of something. For instance, the commandment “thou shalt not kill” essentially emphasizes the sanctity of life. Similarly, “Thou shalt not misuse the name of your God” is about respecting speech and recognizing the potency of words. It’s not just about using God’s name frivolously, but rather, it stresses the significance of our words in general. Kieślowski incorporated these concepts to strengthen his own themes in each episode.
In summary, enthusiasts of the acclaimed work by Stanley Kubrick might find it beneficial to explore “Dekalog” as a means to gain deeper insights into the creative thinking and inspirations behind this influential filmmaker.
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2025-05-25 06:09