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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