- “The Quack”, with Jerzy Bińczycki in the main role, is a cult film based on the novel by Tadeusz Dołęga-Mostowicz.
- Although Rafał Wilczur’s story is not literally true, the author drew inspiration from real figures of medicine men from the 1930s.
- The film has been adapted into several films, including the latest Netflix production, and its popularity extends beyond the borders of Poland.
- Find out where iconic scenes were filmed and when you can watch “The Quack” on TV!
is a classic of Polish cinematography, which for most Poles has the face of Jerzy Bińczycki. He played the role of the main character in Jerzy Hoffman’s film – the famous surgeon Rafał Wliczur, who loses his memory and later leads the life of a village medicine man, Antoni Kosiba. Despite the lack of formal documents, his medical knowledge proves invaluable.
Is “The Quack” based on facts?
“Quack” is an adaptation of the novel by Tadeusz Dołęga-Mostowicz from 1937. It is not based on facts, if we would like to look for a person like Rafał Wilczur. However, the author of the novel was inspired by true stories of quacks operating in Poland in the 1930s – including: a herbalist and healer named Różycki from the village of Radotki, who gained great recognition among the village inhabitants. Radotki became the inspiration for the novel Radoliszki. But
“Quack” a book that was supposed to be a screenplay
The novel “Quack” was originally written as a film script, which was rejected – so Dołęga-Mostowicz turned it into a book. Published in 1937, it quickly gained popularity and had a sequel titled “Professor Wilczur.” In the second part, after regaining his memory, Rafał Wilczur returns to his former job. However, the intrigues of his current deputy, Stefan Dobraniecki, make Wilczur leave the capital and go to the countryside to work where he feels needed.
“Quack” on TV. When?
“The Quack” directed by Jerzy Hofman is one of those films that Poles can’t get enough of, which is why many TV stations decide to include it in their schedules. You can usually watch the movie during the holidays. On November 1, you could see it, among others: on TVP. The next opportunity will be on November 11, 2025. On National Independence Day, “Quack” will be broadcast at 12:20 on TV Polonia 1.
“Quack” – interesting facts
Interestingly, “Quack Man” gained huge popularity in Vietnam. The film was perceived there as a symbol of goodness, wisdom and sacrifice. Polish conservator Kazimierz Kwiatkowski, who worked for years in Vietnam (conducted the reconstruction and conservation of the Forbidden City in Huế, the old part of the city of Hội An), was nicknamed “Witch Doctor” – due to his similarity to the movie Wilczur and his activities for the local community.
Netflix’s “The Quack” is the third film adaptation of the novel
The most famous film adaptation of Tadeusz Dołęga-Mostowicz’s novel is Jerzy Hoffman’s film from 1982. However, this is the second film adaptation. The first “Quack” was filmed in 1937 by Michał Waszyński with Kazimierz Junosław-Stępowski in the main role. In 2023, the Netflix streaming platform produced its version of “Quack”. Leszek Lichota played the role of Professor Wilczur.
“Quack” where was the film shot?
Jerzy Hofmann shot “The Quack”, among others. in the palace in Radziejowice, Skolimów, Łódź, Piekary and Bielsk Podlaski. Now the 2023 version has its outdoor locations, among others: in the open-air museum in Lublin. However, the tenement house where prof. Rafał Wilczur (Leszek Lichota) is beaten, he is in Zgierz, at 25 Dąbrowskiego Street. One of the restaurants in Lublin also took part in the production. It’s about the scene in which Count Leszek Czyński takes out a plate of seafood and tries to feed the sick friend of his beloved Marysia. This plate was prepared by the chef of Insomnia Home & Restaurant. They were served on a silver platter borrowed from the palace. The new “Quack” also includes appropriate musical setting, emphasizing the atmosphere of Mazovia. In the background you can hear the SVAHY band – Patrycja Cywińska-Gacka (rim drum, vocals), Ewa Pater (Biłgoraj bitch, mandolin, guitar, vocals) and Małgorzata Żurańska-Wilkowska (hurdy-gurdy, vocals).
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