The Witcher

“The Witcher” by Andrzej Sapkowski is a phenomenon of world pop culture. The series of books by the Polish author has been the basis for comic books, TV series, films, board games, a musical and, above all, a bestselling computer game that has won the hearts of gamers worldwide.

The phenomenon of ‘The Witcher’ lies, first of all, in the fact that Andrzej Sapkowski managed to create the archetype of the hero that is Geralt of Rivia – a warrior, a mercenary monster hunter equipped with a silver sword and superhuman abilities to fight against evil creatures, ghosts and all dark forces.

Secondly, the author has used a specific language in his books that is stylised as archaic. Also relevant are the topics the writer touches on, such as ecology, social relations or interpersonal relationships, although – let’s not forget – Sapkowski started writing four decades ago! Today, these are basic socio-economic and political issues.

Thirdly, the main character Geralt is a character with whom the reader, player or viewer can identify. His adventures often, albeit indirectly, remind us of situations taken from our own lives.

What is more, ‘The Witcher’ is comprehensible not only to a Polish audience. Sapkowski was inspired by Anglo-Saxon and Celtic legends, among others. This reference to fairy tales is the reason why his prose is well received in various geographical latitudes.

 

The first computer game developed by CD Project Red on the themes of the Witcher saga, it was released in 2007 and was an unqualified success worldwide, receiving excellent, enthusiastic reviews from critics in both Europe and North America. The series, which has been refined numerous times, consists of three main games dedicated to Geralt of Rivia, several spin-offs and comic books. The Witcher 3: Wild Quest, was voted the best video game of all time by the portal and Game Informer magazine. Games from the Witcher universe have moved Geralt of Rivia into the worldwide pop culture canon. Work is currently underway on the fourth part of the saga, The Witcher 4, which is likely to be released by the end of 2025.

In addition to books, computer games and film and television productions, The Witcher has also appeared on stage in the form of a musical. The Witcher, directed by Wojciech Koscielniak and staged at the Musical Theatre in Gdynia since 2017, is a variation on individual themes selected from five stories about Geralt, arranged in a non-chronological manner in relation to the literary originals. A musical adaptation of Sapkowski’s prose, ‘The Witcher’ has been positively received by the audience and critics, who have acclaimed it as a fresh take on the iconic saga.

In addition, since 2021, we can watch The Witcher series on one of the streaming platforms with the absolutely amazing music composed and recorded by the pair of composers Sonya Belousova & Giona Ostinelli. Below is a sample of the soundtrack for the series:

 

https://youtu.be/vdyTzncFKL0?feature=shared