In this episode of the Rewind & Revive podcast, I’m joined by Van Padilla of @VanWatchesMovies to take on Andrzej Żuławski’s unfinished sci-fi epic, On the Silver Globe. We dig into the film’s chaotic production history, its haunting themes of power, despair, and failed utopias, and how Żuławski’s personal and political turmoil shaped every frame.

We also unpack:

• The film’s dense, poetic structure and jagged editing style

• Żuławski’s clash with Polish authorities and the devastating censorship that halted the project

• Why On the Silver Globe remains such a singular entry in the science fiction canon — and why it still matters
  

Plus: thoughts on the legacy of this wild, unfinished masterpiece, and whether a remake would even be possible (or desirable).

…And if you want to keep following what Van is up to, check him out on Linktree.

Music by Andre Abreu

00:00 Introduction and Anticipation

08:41 Exploring Andrzej Żuławski's Background

12:38 The Artistic Style of Żuławski

19:06 Exploring the Context of Censorship

27:02 The Impact of Personal Loss on Creativity

29:44 Return to Poland: A Troubled Homecoming

31:33 Adapting Literary Works: The Lunar Trilogy

38:59 Plot Overview, Character Dynamics, & Themes

53:15 The Grotesque and Unsettling Elements of the Sherns

01:03:33 Production Challenges and the Toll on Crew

01:12:27 The Shut Down of the Film

01:18:29 The Journey to Completion

01:25:06 The Legacy of On the Silver Globe