Franciszek Pieczka

Who is old Kiemlicz?

Franciszek Pieczka played old Kiemlicz, father of Kosma and Damian. In the novel, all three had served under Kmicic. Sienkiewicz depicts them as brave but greedy and ruthless soldiers who collected plunder after battle. Their return reminds readers what kind of men surrounded Kmicic before his path towards redemption began¹². The Kiemliczes are fictional characters, not documented participants in the Swedish invasion.

A character role

Pieczka worked in film, theatre and television for decades. The Polish Filmmakers Association lists The Deluge alongside his work with directors including Jerzy Kawalerowicz and Jan Jakub Kolski³. In his essay for the National Film Archive, Stefan Głowacki singles out Pieczka's portrayal of Kiemlicz⁴.

Two sons and the spirit of the set

The National Film Archive's exhibition preserves Pieczka's account of old Kiemlicz's screen sons. He recalled that they were played by two brothers named Janicki from Kraków, chosen because they resembled him. What stayed with him most from the production was Hoffman's enthusiasm, which spread to the actors⁵. The family resemblance was a casting choice; the father and sons' humour remains shadowed by the violence of Kmicic's former band⁶.

His screen sons have individual profiles: Lesław Janicki (Damian) and Wacław Janicki (Kosma)⁷.