Alright fellow tapeheads, let’s rewind to a corner of the video store maybe less travelled, but oh-so-rewarding when you stumbled upon it. Remember pulling out those slightly unfamiliar boxes, maybe with dubbed titles stickered over the original Polish? That's where you might have found a genuine gem like Vabank II, czyli riposta (1985), the whip-smart sequel to the much-loved Polish heist caper Vabank. Forget the bombast of Stallone or Schwarzenegger for a moment; this is a different kind of 80s cool – smooth, stylish, and utterly charming.
The Sting is Back On
The film kicks off right where the original left us hanging, more or less. Kramer (Leonard Pietraszak, reprising his role with delicious villainy), the slimy banker foiled by our gentleman thief hero Kwinto in the first film, has busted out of prison. And he’s not looking for reconciliation; he wants payback, served ice cold against Kwinto (Jan Machulski, the director's own father, embodying effortless suave). What follows isn't just a revenge plot, though. It’s a beautifully constructed game of cat and mouse, set against the impeccably recreated backdrop of 1936 Warsaw. Director Juliusz Machulski, who also penned the sharp script, proved lightning could strike twice. Fresh off directing the absolute cult classic sci-fi satire Seksmisja (1984) – known as Sexmission to many of us who found that particular tape! – Machulski returned to his beloved characters with confidence and flair.
Pre-War Polish Panache
One of the absolute joys of Vabank II, much like its predecessor, is the atmosphere. This isn't just setting a story in the 1930s; it feels like breathing 1930s Warsaw. Forget green screens and digital backlots; the magic here is wonderfully practical. Machulski and his team achieved this incredible period detail largely by utilizing existing pre-war architecture found in Polish cities like Łódź and Piotrków Trybunalski. Combined with meticulous set dressing, vintage cars that look genuinely driven (and maybe occasionally temperamental!), and costumes that nail the era, the effect is transportive. Watching it on VHS, maybe with the tracking slightly off, only added to that feeling of peering into a bygone world. This tangible sense of place, built with real bricks, mortar, and period props, is something often missing in today's slicker productions. It feels real in a way CGI rarely achieves.
More Than Just a Heist
While Kramer plots his revenge, involving framing Kwinto for theft and collaborating with the Nazis (a darker edge reflecting the approaching storm over Europe), Kwinto isn't idle. He reassembles his loyal, quirky crew – the ever-reliable Duńczyk (Witold Pyrkosz) and the rest of the gang – not just to clear his name, but to turn the tables with an elaborate counter-sting. This is where Machulski's script truly shines. The intricate planning, the near misses, the clever gadgets (like that miniature camera!) feel ingenious, relying on wit rather than brute force.
It’s a distinctly European style of caper – less frantic than Hollywood might make it, allowing moments for character interplay, dry humour, and that fantastic, instantly recognizable jazz score by Henryk Kuźniak that just screams cool. Remember how that theme tune burrowed into your brain? The chemistry between Jan Machulski's coolly analytical Kwinto and Pietraszak's increasingly desperate Kramer is the engine driving the plot, perfectly balanced by the warmth and comedic timing of the supporting players.
A Sequel Worth Seeking Out
Vabank II was a smash hit in Poland, a worthy follow-up to a film that had become a national favorite. Internationally, it might have been more of a cult discovery, the kind of tape you'd excitedly tell your friends about after finding it tucked away. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, sticking closely to the formula that made the first film work, but it does so with such charm, intelligence, and visual style that it feels entirely satisfying.
Sure, viewed today, the pacing might feel a tad more relaxed than modern audiences are used to, and some of the plot mechanics rely on fortunate coincidences. But that’s part of the appeal. It’s a film confident in its characters and its cleverly constructed plot, allowing the audience to savour the unfolding scheme. It’s a reminder of a time when sequels often felt like organic continuations, made by the same creative teams who genuinely loved the world they'd built. I distinctly remember the satisfaction of finding this tape, likely rented from a specialist European section, and feeling like I'd uncovered a secret slice of cinematic history.
Rating: 8/10
Justification: Vabank II earns its high marks for being a supremely stylish, witty, and engaging sequel that beautifully recaptures the magic of the original. The pitch-perfect performances, the incredibly realised 1930s atmosphere achieved through practical means, the clever script, and that unforgettable score make it a standout. It loses a couple of points perhaps for playing it slightly safer than the groundbreaking original, but it executes its familiar tune with exceptional skill and charm.
Final Thought: This is pure old-school European cool served neat – a delightful reminder that sometimes the most satisfying cinematic 'action' is a perfectly executed plan, delivered with a wink and impeccable vintage style. A must-watch if you appreciate clever capers beyond the Hollywood mainstream.