Popiól i diament

English title: Ashes and Diamonds

Also known as: Cendres et diamants

Genre:  sociopolitical drama (in black and white)

With: Zbigniew Cybulski (Maciek Chelmicki), Waclaw Zastrzezynski (Szczuka), Ewa Krzyzewska (Krystyna), Adam Pawlikowski (Andrzej), Bogumil Kobiela (Drewnowski), Jan Ciecierski (Portier), Stanislaw Milski (Pieniazek), Artur Mlodnicki (Kotowicz)

Director: Andrzej Wajda

Screenplay: Jerzy Andrzejewski and Andrzej Wajda (based on Jerzy’s novel)

Release: 1958

Studio: Zespól Filmowy ‟Kadr”

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.6/10 

 

A Case of Divided Loyalties 

 

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Story-line: in May 1945, Poland has been liberated but is no closer to peace as the Polish resistance movement contends with Russian forces and their Communist allies to fill the power vacuum left by the Nazis. ASHES AND DIAMONDS focuses on two Polish operatives, Maciek and Andrzej, and their mission to assassinate Szczuka, a Communist union organizer.

Pluses: excellent acting by Zbigniew Cybulski (as Maciek the thrill-seeker) and Adam Pawlikowski (the deadly serious Andrzej), great support from a strong cast, world-class direction, a full, richly developed and very tight screenplay that builds tension inexorably toward an unexpected climax, lovely cinematography and satisfying production values.

Minuses: none I can think of.

Comments: ASHES AND DIAMONDS, a gripping tale about ideals, politics, corruption and love, serves as a microcosm of a Poland in flux with militants and organizers jockeying for position, aristocrats contemplating exile, local officials lusting for positions of power and ordinary people trying to make do. Much like Andrzej Wajda (1926-2016), who had to juggle with art and political censorship during a good part of his illustrious career, Maciek will face a difficult choice between commitment and personal interest. 

 

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 Parallax View (the)

Genre: political thriller

With: Warren Beatty (Joseph Frady), Paula Prentiss (Lee Carter), William Daniels (Austin Tucker), Walter McGinn (Jack Younger), Hume Cronyn (Bill Rintels), Kelly Thordsen (Sheriff L.D. Wicker), Earl Hindman (Deputy Red), Chuck Waters (Thomas Richard Linder), Kenneth Mars (Will), William Joyce (Senator Charles Carroll), Betty Murray (Mrs. Charles Carroll), Bill McKinney (Parallax operative), Anthony Zerbe (Prof. Schwartzkopf), Doria Cook-Nelson (Gale)

Director: Alan J. Pakula

Screenplay: David Giler, Lorenzo Semple Jr. and Robert Towne (based on Loren Singer’s novel)

Release: 1974

Studio: Doubleday Productions, Gus, Harbor Productions, Paramount Pictures

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.4/10 

 

Looking for Help? Call the Department of Inhuman Resources

  

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Story-line: Fourth of July in Seattle. Senator Charles Carroll, a potential candidate for the presidency, attends a social gathering high atop the Space Needle and is assassinated while speaking to his guests. An inquiry is conducted and a committee concludes that his murder was the work of a lone gunman… but doubts and suspicions linger. Some three years later, Lee Carter, who was present at the scene, tells her ex-boyfriend, reporter Joe Frady, that the deaths of other witnesses since Carroll’s assassination are the result of a conspiracy and that she herself is now a target.

Pluses: excellent acting by Warren Beatty, able support from Hume Cronyn, Walter McGinn, William Daniels, Paula Prentiss and a fine cast of meanies, tight direction by a first-rate helmer, an intriguing and elaborate screenplay that leaves a few loose ends to tantalize viewers and supplies a good deal of thrills, competent cinematography, irreproachable production values, an appropriate musical score that amplifies the drama and a surprising ending.

Minuses: none I can think of.

Comments: with its heavy mix of mystery, chills, political ploys and suspense, THE PARALLAX VIEW plays its hand deliberately, keeping its best card close to the vest until the very end. Like Joe finds out as he investigates the matter, the more you uncover, the worse it gets. Alan J. Pakula’s work remains mesmerizing and disturbing even in today’s world of mistrust, fact tampering and untruths. 

 

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