I just spent a couple of days watching everything by Kieslowski, and after all the gloom of "a short film about killing" and "Dekalog One", it was such a relief to see this beautifully shot comedy about two brothers who inherit their father's precious stamp collection. I won't say anything about the plot, as it is a well-constructed little gem. See it and enjoy it. Stuhr is brilliant as the 'smart one'...
18 Reviews
Based on a chain of events due to a singular inheritance.
Aquilant23 April 2005
The end of one of the greatest series of all time. A tragicomic and paradoxical story about the desire for possession in-itself, involving the quiet existence of two brothers moved to behave in a foolish way against the will of their father by the hidden springs of human actions.
Based on a chain of events due to a singular inheritance, "Dekalog 10" (Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods) is quite different from the other episodes of the series, but its high level of quality is a warranty as to the accuracy of the story. From a cinematic point of view the style is both ironic and grotesque and introduces a rich vein of frisky sense of humor. Kieslowski makes us perceive the necessity of a sigh of relief at the end of his human saga. He likes probably to say good-bye to us with a slight smile hovered on his lips, figuratively speaking. And even if at first sight, judging by appearances, he may seem eager to take a few moments to pause maybe in order to rid himself of all the stress stored in his body after nine destabilizing episodes, (look for instance at the impersonal photographic quality of his sequences, resulting in a less troubled atmosphere) the structure of the story is more complex than one might think. After a more careful probing of the key elements in "Dekalog 10", we can find some emblematic metaphors about the desire for possession merely for the purpose of possession itself. A mystifying anchorage during these difficult times. In the long run such eagerness can spread over the life of the soul like a catching disease, in such a way as to compel the human being to withdraw into himself. But Kieslowski doesn't like playing the moralist: he wants to be a witness, he tries so hard to do a careful investigation about unpredictable human events but doesn't claim to act the Supreme Judge as a substitute for the divine authority.
What's left at the end of the whole Dekalog series? The consciousness of one of the higher goals of human talent together with the sensation of an epochal masterpiece of vast proportions. A journey through the complex structure of the human psyche in order to check its reaction mechanisms and reveal every malfunctions in a strict impersonal way. Once again we may be able to draw moral conclusions from what is depicted here: the littleness of man's mind in comparison with the unpredictability of future events.
Based on a chain of events due to a singular inheritance, "Dekalog 10" (Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods) is quite different from the other episodes of the series, but its high level of quality is a warranty as to the accuracy of the story. From a cinematic point of view the style is both ironic and grotesque and introduces a rich vein of frisky sense of humor. Kieslowski makes us perceive the necessity of a sigh of relief at the end of his human saga. He likes probably to say good-bye to us with a slight smile hovered on his lips, figuratively speaking. And even if at first sight, judging by appearances, he may seem eager to take a few moments to pause maybe in order to rid himself of all the stress stored in his body after nine destabilizing episodes, (look for instance at the impersonal photographic quality of his sequences, resulting in a less troubled atmosphere) the structure of the story is more complex than one might think. After a more careful probing of the key elements in "Dekalog 10", we can find some emblematic metaphors about the desire for possession merely for the purpose of possession itself. A mystifying anchorage during these difficult times. In the long run such eagerness can spread over the life of the soul like a catching disease, in such a way as to compel the human being to withdraw into himself. But Kieslowski doesn't like playing the moralist: he wants to be a witness, he tries so hard to do a careful investigation about unpredictable human events but doesn't claim to act the Supreme Judge as a substitute for the divine authority.
What's left at the end of the whole Dekalog series? The consciousness of one of the higher goals of human talent together with the sensation of an epochal masterpiece of vast proportions. A journey through the complex structure of the human psyche in order to check its reaction mechanisms and reveal every malfunctions in a strict impersonal way. Once again we may be able to draw moral conclusions from what is depicted here: the littleness of man's mind in comparison with the unpredictability of future events.
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods"
Behdinderakhshan15 July 2023
The episode 'ten' of Kieslowski "ten commandments" is the right definition of a dark comedy sample, this episode is the only one in whole series with a little taste of funny moments.
A story about two brothers and their newly passed father's inheritance.
What kesholovski dose excellently in this episode is that he forces us to make some judgements without giving us the final answer.
With giving a practical meaning to the concept of the black comedy, by devoting every gestures of the actors to this comic perception, we can say that kesholovski really does a nice job in making of this episode.
Building up a kind of distant relationship between two brothers and mix it up with Lies, suspicions , covet and stealing are some those issues that have been addressed to, in this episode the director does his best to give us a sufficient comprehension of the source of their greed and envy which I consider it the strongest point of the episode.
A story about two brothers and their newly passed father's inheritance.
What kesholovski dose excellently in this episode is that he forces us to make some judgements without giving us the final answer.
With giving a practical meaning to the concept of the black comedy, by devoting every gestures of the actors to this comic perception, we can say that kesholovski really does a nice job in making of this episode.
Building up a kind of distant relationship between two brothers and mix it up with Lies, suspicions , covet and stealing are some those issues that have been addressed to, in this episode the director does his best to give us a sufficient comprehension of the source of their greed and envy which I consider it the strongest point of the episode.
human all too human
dan-2929 November 2001
Do not covet thy neighbours oxen (or whatever the material good specified in the commandment happens to be), in Kielowski's hands becomes a master work of human observation. The petty jealousies of two brothers are perfectly captured, in this wry Satirical film. Less unremitingly bleak than Three Colours White (the director's other attack on greed), Dekalog dziesiec gently exposes the folloy of human desires. The satire is more Jane Austin than Jonathan Swift, but remains laugh out loud funny.
It goes with out saying that the acting, photography, script, score, editing etc. are all stunning. The only question is why don't we get stuff like this on T.V. in the west?
It goes with out saying that the acting, photography, script, score, editing etc. are all stunning. The only question is why don't we get stuff like this on T.V. in the west?
great finale for the masterpiece of all film
jimi9916 June 2002
Having gotten the videos of the Decalogue one volume at a time over the last 6 months from the Denver Public Library, I have enjoyed an extended appreciation of this towering masterpiece. Kiewslowski created so many moods, characters, settings, and above all, stories that engaged me completely, challenging me to pay attention, to care, and not to assume I knew where the story was going. So many wonderful endings and denouements, some painful, some twisted decidedly upward. #10 is decidedly a comedy. The two brothers, as we get to know them, are led into a sort of avarice and then a love for their late father's stamp collection, which is vastly more valuable than they imagined. Their greatest sin seems to be not growing paranoid over their inheritance, but that they were distant from the father, as well as from each other. I believe that the sin of coveting was committed by the unscrupulous dealer, whom we have reason to sympathize with in the strange (and beautifully conceived) barter that is at the core of this great story. I agree that to end this great decalogue with laughter is brilliant and makes the whole work even more memorable. I just saw this final show yesterday, and now I'm thinking about getting Episodes 1 and 2 again. (A new multi-screen art cinema opened in Denver this spring, and one of their initial bookings was The Decalogue, a week for each pair of films. I should have gone and seen them on the big screen, but they were after all created for television...)
Excellent final chapter - the only black comedy in the series,
Galina_movie_fan16 November 2005
Decalogue 10 - "Though shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods" - is about two brothers, Jerzy (Jerzy Stuhr) and Artur (Zbigniew Zamachowski)who have not seen each other for over two years and meet for a sad occasion - on their estranged father's funeral. Well, it was not too sad because their father never had been too close to them - his obsession and the love of his life was his stamp collection - one of the best and most valuable in Poland. Along with the collection, the brothers inherited their father obsession for stamps and even though they desperately need money, they try to expand the collection, delving in the underworld of devoted philatelists and shadowy dealers (sometimes, there is not much difference between both types) who have known very well about the priceless stamps. Will the brothers be able to expand the collection or to sell it with great profit and live happily ever after? How much and what are they willing to pay for a small piece of paper? You have to see Decalogue 10 to find out. I just will tell you that Kieslowski is always in control here and for such a small amount of time, only 50 minutes, there is so much action, characters development, so many unexpected and original plot turns, such excellent exploring of human emotions and drives that it would (it should, it did for me) keep you riveted to the screen. 10/10
A stunning conclusion
Polaris_DiB31 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This is my favorite episode of the Decalogue because I have dealt with a lot of death in the family and can really relate to two brothers and their relationship with the materials left behind by someone they loved. This is a very touching and personal story that follows the death of the neighbor from Decalogue 8, the stamp collector. His two sons, one a metal rocker and the other a family man, are left with a collection of stamps so valuable they don't know what to do with it, nor even really what it's worth. As they begin to find out, it becomes worth more to them personally than it does valuably, and they find themselves obsessing over the past of a man they didn't much respect before.
In terms of the thematic connotations of the Decalogue, it's one of the few stories that fit so easily into the rule: "Thou shalt not covet they neighbors goods." Once thrown into an almost underground world of something seemingly innocuous as stamp collecting, the brothers learn just how jealously they can guard something so small and fragmentary, and to what lengths they will go to for completion.
But at the heart of the story is two brothers trying subconsciously to hold on to the last vestiges of a father they never really knew, and it's only with the heart-rending tragedy of the ending that they look past what he had to what it all means to them. True to most of Kieslowski's Decalogue, the fifty seemingly slow minutes are packed with levels of narration and symbolic intention that creates a fantastically effective parable on loss and redemption.
--PolarisDiB
In terms of the thematic connotations of the Decalogue, it's one of the few stories that fit so easily into the rule: "Thou shalt not covet they neighbors goods." Once thrown into an almost underground world of something seemingly innocuous as stamp collecting, the brothers learn just how jealously they can guard something so small and fragmentary, and to what lengths they will go to for completion.
But at the heart of the story is two brothers trying subconsciously to hold on to the last vestiges of a father they never really knew, and it's only with the heart-rending tragedy of the ending that they look past what he had to what it all means to them. True to most of Kieslowski's Decalogue, the fifty seemingly slow minutes are packed with levels of narration and symbolic intention that creates a fantastically effective parable on loss and redemption.
--PolarisDiB
Perfect Episode Perfect Ending
Marwan-Bob15 January 2020
'Dekalog'- Part 10: Greed and relationships and the sanctity of contentment
TheLittleSongbird13 February 2017
'Dekalog' is a towering achievement and a televisual masterpiece that puts many feature films to shame, also pulling off a concept of great ambition brilliantly. Although a big admirer of Krzysztof Kieślowski (a gifted director taken from us too early), and who has yet to be disappointed by him, to me 'Dekalog' and 'Three Colours: Red' sees him at his best.
All of 'Dekalog's' episodes have so many great things, and it is an example of none of the lesser episodes (the weakest being the still very good Episode 8) being bad. This is testament to the high quality of 'Dekalog' as an overall whole and how brilliant the best episodes are. Episode 10 is a magnificent conclusion, it's very different in tone and somewhat of the odd one out in that sense but executes it brilliantly, the slight lack of finality being its only draw-back (but that is so minor it's a non-issue).
Every single one of 'Dekalog's' episodes are exceptionally well made. The production values in Episode 10 are as ever atmosphere-enhancing, beautiful and haunting to look at and fascinating. Many of the images are impossible to forget. The direction is quietly unobtrusive, intelligently paced and never too heavy, and the music is suitably intricate.
The themes and ideals are used to full potential, and the characters and their relationships and conflicts feel so real and emotionally resonant without being heavy-handed. Despite being based around one of the ten commandments, don't let that put you off, resemblance to religion is relatively scant.
Story-wise, Episode 10 is the most comedic (in the dark and sharply satirical sense) and light-hearted, perhaps for some the most accessible. This is something that may feel too different to some, to me the different tone was appreciated because even if the previous nine episodes were thematically richer somewhat and more emotionally powerful Episode 10 is brilliantly entertaining and actually if anybody considers it their favourite it's easy to see why. Even for comedy, the acting still manages to be complex and nuanced while also clearly having fun.
Overall, magnificent conclusion. 10/10 Bethany Cox
All of 'Dekalog's' episodes have so many great things, and it is an example of none of the lesser episodes (the weakest being the still very good Episode 8) being bad. This is testament to the high quality of 'Dekalog' as an overall whole and how brilliant the best episodes are. Episode 10 is a magnificent conclusion, it's very different in tone and somewhat of the odd one out in that sense but executes it brilliantly, the slight lack of finality being its only draw-back (but that is so minor it's a non-issue).
Every single one of 'Dekalog's' episodes are exceptionally well made. The production values in Episode 10 are as ever atmosphere-enhancing, beautiful and haunting to look at and fascinating. Many of the images are impossible to forget. The direction is quietly unobtrusive, intelligently paced and never too heavy, and the music is suitably intricate.
The themes and ideals are used to full potential, and the characters and their relationships and conflicts feel so real and emotionally resonant without being heavy-handed. Despite being based around one of the ten commandments, don't let that put you off, resemblance to religion is relatively scant.
Story-wise, Episode 10 is the most comedic (in the dark and sharply satirical sense) and light-hearted, perhaps for some the most accessible. This is something that may feel too different to some, to me the different tone was appreciated because even if the previous nine episodes were thematically richer somewhat and more emotionally powerful Episode 10 is brilliantly entertaining and actually if anybody considers it their favourite it's easy to see why. Even for comedy, the acting still manages to be complex and nuanced while also clearly having fun.
Overall, magnificent conclusion. 10/10 Bethany Cox
I have seen all the Decalog many years ago but I r...
Lanaudi22 August 1998
Polish sense of humor consists of a rock singer, a kidney transplant and some valuable stamps.
FilmCriticLalitRao18 August 2008
Watching this short film, I am sure that many would remark that Polish director Kieslowski has chosen a facetious manner of ending "Dekalog" series. Those who feel that Polish films are a serious affair will be happy to learn that in this film there are no signs of usual Polish /East European gloominess which is very much prevalent in other films by Krzysztof Kieslowski. It is one of the most humorous of all his 10 short films as viewers get to see a simple story of how two brothers learn through a series of bittersweet experiences that there is no point in coveting other people's goods."Dekalog 10:Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbour's Goods" is a perfect example of a comedy film which is different from other comedy films à la Hollywood. It is a comedy film made in Poland and bears no resemblance with other slapstick comedies made by masters like Buster Keaton and Charles Chaplin. Dekalog 10 is unique in many ways as we see things from a new perspective. One of the characters is a lead singer for a Polish Rock band called "City Death". Watching him perform a spirited song with sprightly moves, it can be surmised that it is not an individual musician who is crazy about personal liberty but an entire nation is displaying restless energy for freedom. It is not so often that we come across a film in which villains do not look like villains. Dekalog 10 features a minor plot involving villains and shady deals but all credit goes to remarkable Kieslowski who has scripted his film in such a manner that it is difficult to ascertain who is cheating whom ? Two great actors of Polish cinema Jerzy Stuhr and Zbigniew Zamachowski teach us the greatest lesson of humanity :It is wise not to deal in a thing about which one is not sure.
about trust
Kirpianuscus1 December 2018
A stamp collection. A death. And the desire to have a significant piece. A kidney as price. And the doubts about your brother. The last episode of the serie propose one of simple story about trust. And about the image of the near other. The result is , like each show of serie, invitation to reflect about reality and yourself. Without any verdict. Only as fascinating trip across the vision of an unique director.
Great episode!
Bondelev17 July 2000
Too Stupid to Find a Trusted Ally
Hitchcoc25 June 2021
Two brothers who have not seen each other in a long time convene at their father's funeral. When they go to his apartment, they realize his a first drawer philatelist. They have stamps that are worth a fortune but they aren't bight enough to figure out what to do. They are careless with three stamps, giving them to a kid who literally throw them away. They don't seem to realize that many people in this profession are dishonest. Ultimately it gets down to the brothers and what they have become.
Dekalog 10
chaos-rampant12 March 2016
I can't deny that going up and down the Dekalog has been a slog. But they were designed to air over a period of months, not days, and who ever has breezed through them? Anyway by this point I have garnered all there is to from this project so I watched this last one out of obligation more than actual interest.
Thankfully it's the most breezy of the ten. Wisely putting a final sardonic smile to the crushing turns of fate that populate the Dekalogs.
It's satire about greed essentially. Two brothers inherit a fortune from a father they hadn't bothered with while alive, lose more than they bargained for, but in the end leave this with certainty about their bond. A liver may have been lost, but such are the ironic machinations of the Dekalog universe, here rendered for amusement.
Thankfully it's the most breezy of the ten. Wisely putting a final sardonic smile to the crushing turns of fate that populate the Dekalogs.
It's satire about greed essentially. Two brothers inherit a fortune from a father they hadn't bothered with while alive, lose more than they bargained for, but in the end leave this with certainty about their bond. A liver may have been lost, but such are the ironic machinations of the Dekalog universe, here rendered for amusement.
Finish with a Whimper
tedg13 August 2006
Set together, these ten experiments and the two extensions, are must viewing. There's a scope and variety, a rhythm that is almost transcendental. If you like Tarkovsky and Wong, you have to see this transitional event.
But taken individually, they are pretty uneven. This is not a good one. Sure, it has lots of the values non-cinematic viewers associate with Kieslowski, but which really come from his partner: story knots and drama.
But (as these were shot in order), the man was simply worn out by now. In particular, it has stamps (series of stamps), locks, bodily sacrifice, non-human beings, brotherly containment. All these in another Kieslowski project would be elaborated visually.
But not here.
Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.
But taken individually, they are pretty uneven. This is not a good one. Sure, it has lots of the values non-cinematic viewers associate with Kieslowski, but which really come from his partner: story knots and drama.
But (as these were shot in order), the man was simply worn out by now. In particular, it has stamps (series of stamps), locks, bodily sacrifice, non-human beings, brotherly containment. All these in another Kieslowski project would be elaborated visually.
But not here.
Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.
"Before Completion"
turnerggg6 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I find that I Ching 64 speaks here, see below
For me a perfect conclusion to the dekalog. The irony lets one do a final digestion of the life episodes that precede. If the brothers have any greed, it is not the greed for money, quite the opposite it is the want for completion, obsession such that Artur trades his kidney for the last stamp in the series. Robbed of it all, he buys a new issue at the post office (note the p.o. fellow), presents it to his brother, together they grasp heartily dissolving in laughter, that the Nothing they have ended up with, is, by golly, completely sufficient unto the day. The greatest lesson of them all, my friends
The Judgement Before Completion. Success. But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing, Gets his tail in the water, There is nothing that would further.
The Image Fire over water: The image of the condition before transition. Thus the superior man is careful In the differentiation of things, So that each finds its place.
For me a perfect conclusion to the dekalog. The irony lets one do a final digestion of the life episodes that precede. If the brothers have any greed, it is not the greed for money, quite the opposite it is the want for completion, obsession such that Artur trades his kidney for the last stamp in the series. Robbed of it all, he buys a new issue at the post office (note the p.o. fellow), presents it to his brother, together they grasp heartily dissolving in laughter, that the Nothing they have ended up with, is, by golly, completely sufficient unto the day. The greatest lesson of them all, my friends
The Judgement Before Completion. Success. But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing, Gets his tail in the water, There is nothing that would further.
The Image Fire over water: The image of the condition before transition. Thus the superior man is careful In the differentiation of things, So that each finds its place.
Fuzzy Plot
simuland29 December 2000
A poor man's Treasure of the Sierra Madre. A black comedy about two hapless brothers who inherit Poland's most valuable stamp collection from a father who sacrificed everything, lived a monastic life, to amass it. (The father, stamps in hand, makes a cameo appearance in VIII.) They, too, are drawn into the erudite greed of philately, ownership for the sake of ownership, to a bad end. Everything rests on the puzzle of the plot, on who can outsmart whom, and how. But the details are sketchy, not thought all the way through, thus, again, resulting in a problem of credibility; the punch line, by the time it arrives, lacks punch, isn't, say, the same as seeing all one's gold dust blow away on the wind. But, of course, there's always color coding to keep one occupied.
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