Poland's legendary writer-director Andrzej Wajda has confounded his admirers by releasing a director's cut of his 1974 film The Promised Land (Ziemia obiecana) with several erotic scenes deleted.

The 74-year-old Wajda, who was honored with a lifetime-achievement Oscar at this year's Academy Awards ceremonies, told the Polish daily Super Express that when he looked at the scene of an orgy, he thought, "I do not like this scene." He explained that when the film was made, at the time of the Solidarity movement, including such a scene "was an act of great courage. It was a form of rebellion against the official censors. Today, I am certain, this scene does not bring anything (to the film). Cinema of today is flooded with eroticism. I do not need to shock by this means."

But actor Daniel Olbrychski, who co-starred in the film and appeared in the deleted scene, was quoted as saying, "I regret very much that Wajda cut the orgy scene. It marked a milestone in the history of Polish film."

Source: Studio Briefing