Illumination (1973): Cast & Plot
Illumination is a 1973 drama directed by Krzysztof Zanussi, starring Stanisław Latałło as Franciszek Retman, Agnieszka Holland and Michał Tarkowski. It runs 1 hour 27 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 27m (87 min)
- Director
- Krzysztof Zanussi
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Polish - Studio
- Zespół Filmowy Tor
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Illumination About?
The premise of Illumination without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Film chronicles a decade in the life of a young physics student whose absolute faith in the primacy of rationality and science is shaken by tragedy and affairs of the heart.
Illumination Cast & Characters
Stanisław Latałło leads the cast as Franciszek Retman, with Agnieszka Holland as Commission Member (uncredited) and Michał Tarkowski as Fascist. Directed by Krzysztof Zanussi; 30 actors are credited in all.
- Director Krzysztof Zanussi
- Stanisław Latałło as Franciszek Retman
-
Agnieszka Holland as Commission Member (uncredited) - Michał Tarkowski as Fascist
- Małgorzata Pritulak as Małgorzata
Also Starring in Illumination
· 26 more- Joanna Żółkowska Woman In Window
- Jadwiga Colonna-Walewska Franciszek's Mother
- Edward Żebrowski Physician
- Jan Skotnicki Patient
- Ryszard Wachowski Man With Axe
- Jacek Petrycki Man In Shelter
- Andrzej Mellin Worker
- Monika Dzienisiewicz-Olbrychska Agnieszka
- Irena Horecka Patient's Mother
- Wlodzimierz Zonn University Dean
- Bogdan Mielnik Bogdan Mielnik
- Wladyslaw Turski Władysław Turski
- Wlodzimierz Zawadzki Assistant
- Lukasz Turski Łukasz Turski
- Martin Latallo Franciszek's Son
- K. Ernst
Show all 30 cast members Show fewer cast members
More from Krzysztof Zanussi
More films directed by Krzysztof Zanussi: The Perfect Number, Ether, Revisited and And a Warm Heart.
Illumination Plot Summary
What happens in Illumination from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film follows the life of Franciszek Retman, known to friends as Franek, as he is accepted into a physics program and begins shaping his path in academia. He forms a relationship with a fellow student, and they become a couple; however, after a party where Franek experiments with a joint of cannabis, he returns to her apartment to find her being assaulted by another man. He intervenes, is beaten, and his girlfriend suddenly rebuffs him, breaking up and casting him out onto the street. The heartbreak marks the start of a ferried course through ambition and consequence, and the narrative follows his quiet, relentless pursuit of knowledge against a backdrop of personal upheaval.
Full summary
The whole story of Illumination, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Illumination?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the full name of the film’s main character?
Illumination Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “The Illumination” and “Illuminazione”.
- Also known as
-
- The Illumination
- Illuminazione
- 灵性之光
- Iluminación
- Просветление
- Iluminação
- Иллюминация
- 계몽
- Illumináció
Seen Illumination?
Illumination FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Illumination, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Illumination?
Illumination runs 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes).
When was Illumination released?
Illumination was released on September 29, 1973.
Who directed Illumination?
Illumination was directed by Krzysztof Zanussi.
More films by Krzysztof Zanussi Who is in the cast of Illumination?
Illumination stars Stanisław Latałło as Franciszek Retman, Agnieszka Holland as Commission Member (uncredited) and Michał Tarkowski as Fascist, among 30 credited actors.
Does Illumination have a post-credit scene?
No. Illumination has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Illumination in?
The original language of Illumination is Polish.
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