EN
The article deals with film portrayals of Tadeusz Kosciuszko. In 1913, in Lviv, a film 'Kosciuszko at Raclawice' was made. This work, although not made by professionals, fulfilled important patriotic aims, by showing, in the days before the First World War, fight against Russia. The film was found in 2009, and is currently being renovated. Another propaganda film 'Under the Yoke of the Tyrants' (1916) encouraged Poles to struggle alongside the Prussian and Austro-Hungarian armies against Russians. This film was made in Kraków by a German director Franz Porten. 'Kosciuszko's First Love' (1929) failed to present the hero's private life. Another version of 'Kosciuszko at Raclawice' was made in 1938 by Józef Lejtes. In this version the most important scene in the film is the title battle sequence. Because of the Polish socio-political situation of the time, the role of peasants was minimized in the portrayal of the history of the battle, however the warning against Russia remained pertinent. After the Second World War Kosciuszko, given the history of his struggles in the USA and then against Russia, became too controversial figure to be easily portrayed in film. This was brilliantly shown by Antoni Bohdziewicz in the satirical 'Wellies of Happiness' (1958).