THE GETAWAY KING/ Najmro: Kocha, kradnie, szanuje

Poland, 2021, 100 minutes, Colour.

Dawid Ogrodnik, Robert Wiekiewicz.

Directed by Mateusz Rakowicz.

This is a lively Polish adventure based on a character in real life, and escape artist, Najmro. He is played with engaging flair and cheekiness by Dawid Ogrodnik. He was something of a sensational figure in Warsaw and in Poland in the latter part of the 1980s, the time of the decline of the Soviet Empire and its influence.

Najmro is a thief, skilled at his work, but operating with a team of loyal followers. The focus is on robbing the well-stopped superior stores in Poland and distributing the stolen goods, or selling them at an advantage, to those in need. Later their exploits extend to the stealing and marketing of upmarket cars.

There is also a police officer, charged with tracking him down, his assistant not the brightest. There are several arrests, and there are several escapes, and the nickname of the Getaway King. However, there is a breakdown in relationships with his team, one of his collaborators, former friends, putting him into the police.

However, he was pardoned in 1994.

An entertaining light drama in the Robin Hood vein.

1. The title, the original title focusing on Najmro himself. And escape artist?
2. Based on a true story and character, the 1980s, Poland and Warsaw during the communist era? Difficulties, scarcity of goods, the luxury shops? Ordinary people? And daredevil hero, enjoying himself, the robberies, food and goods, luxury cars and reselling them, the relationship with his team? Falling in love? Arrested, 29 escapes? Something of a folk hero?
3. The situation, the visualising of the thefts, the team, personalities, backgrounds, meetings, watches and coordinating, in the stores, the methods of stealing? Redistribution of the goods, and making money? The plan with the luxury cars, the methods, the new customers?
4. The police, Barski and his determination, his character, following the team, his plans, his assistant – and his limitations? The arrests, the escapes, the continued pursuits?
5. Public response, the news, articles, the Robin Hood effect?
6. Najmro and his age, experience, carefree, the robberies and his motivations, with his team, falling in love, clashing with his associate, the associate and his anger, going to the police, betrayal?
7. The change in Poland during the 1980s, into the 1990s, the getaway King’s reputation? Pardoned in 1994?