Jan Matejko: Rejtan, or the Fall Of Poland

In 1773, clutching at assorted pretexts, Russia, Austria, and Prussia annexed a third of the territory of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. This marked the beginning of the process that robbed Poland of independence. Bribed by Russia, members of the Polish parliament (the Sejm) of 1773 were ready to ratify an act sanctioning the first partition of Poland. The film shows the dramatic moment when Deputy Tadeusz Rejtan tries to forestall that act of treason. (Camerimage)