The Birch Wood

The Birch Wood (1970)

Genres - Drama, Family & Personal Relationships  |   Sub-Genres - Psychological Drama, Period Film  |   Release Date - Feb 18, 1981 (USA - Unknown)  |   Run Time - 99 min.  |   Countries - Poland  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Clarke Fountain

In this Polish family drama, set in the pre-World War II era, a young man dying of tuberculosis returns to his older brother's farm in the countryside. His presence there heightens and then heals conflicts of long standing. The younger brother is too full of life to die before his time; he makes love to a farm girl, plays the piano, and generally lifts his and everyone else's spirits. He becomes involved in a family conflict after learning that his deceased sister-in-law may (or may not) have had an affair with a hired man. The hired man is slated to marry the farm girl the younger brother has had a fling with. Frustration and anger reign until tragedy puts it all into perspective once more.

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Keywords

brother, death, extramarital-affair, terminal-illness, tuberculosis, farmhand, engagement