Not 'great', but definitely captures a period.

A bit thick around the edges but I almost preferred this to Kanal. While the later Wajda gives an unrelenting mood of doom & gloom, this gives scenes and characters room to breathe. A pronounced dread surrounds the more horrible moments when contrasted with its simpler focus. I wouldn't argue that it's downhill after that opening tracking shot - but what a shot.

Kinda shabby, especially when pitted against the exceptionally intense and focused Kanal. The stakes never feel especially high, the characters somewhat ill-defined and the plot kind of hangs together rather than driving confidently forward. However, Wajda's skill for shooting in space, his eye for composition and lighting, and his political sensibilities are already quite keen at this point. Worthwhile, just not great.

Strong first showing for Wajda, if a tad overly sentimental in places. No worse than comparable Rossellini, though. Polanski!

Great film,I have to point out that Roman Polanski looked most odd in the shorts he was wearing considering he must have been in his early 20's and has really hairy legs.

too much propaganda

I always have problems understanding these Eastern European political movies. Is this pro-Communist? It sure felt like it, but the DVD booklet seemed to suggest otherwise. I'm just not very smart about politics, I suppose. It was a good flick, though -- it engaged my attention, I cared about the characters, and there were some astonishing shots (especially considering this was Wajda's first feature).