Ashes and Diamonds

Like so many Eastern Euro films from this era, the complicated nature of Nationalism and the lingering, emotionally crippling shadow of the second World War are on full display in a stunningly beautiful film that closely examines a smaller, delicate problem that serves as an obvious, but never clunky metaphor. This type of shit is so hard to pull off and should come off as pretentious, but it never does. Amazing effort all around.

The best POLISH FILM EVER MADE !!! with a spectacular role played by Zbigniew Cybulski

This is supposed to be one of the great Wajda films, but it's one of my least favorites. Too political for my tastes, and most of it is dull as dirt. Nice lighting and framing, though.

I got more into it in the final act. You can really see the Citizen Kane influence on the cinematography.

American or Hungarian?

Pretty good but probably a bit overrated drama/war movie about a resistance fighter. Good film, but I didn't get out of it what a lot seem to. It's good looking and the story is relatively interesting, but it never really fully came together for me.

Aside from the opening scene, it starts a little slow. Actually, most of the film is like this and I'd be lying if I didn't feel a little zoned out at times. Anyways, as the film unfolds, there are some pretty damn cool shots sprinkled throughout. The more I think about the plot, the deeper is seems than off my initial viewing. This film is old. Maybe I had to be there? Beautiful cinematography and decent acting, but not enough of the rest to truly elevate.

I can't say enough about this movie. I'm sure a black and white film from Poland, made in the late 50's is a tough sell, but it's well worth finding this one. Will secure a spot in my Top 500 of all time. Just well made, compelling throughout and incredibly shot.

Good movie, which would have been better if not for some overacting at the end.

Not quite the masterpiece I expected, but not as heavy/serious as I feared either. First scene grabs your attention; cinematography is great and characters interesting. Knowledge of Polish history helps, but doesn't prevent from enjoying the film. It's easy to believe that it has influenced numerous later films; characters are intercrossing smoothly and blunt portrayal of violence & extramarital affairs must have been bold at the time. I just ended up admiring it more than really enjoying it.

A few great scenes (Maciek and Andrzej reminiscing in the bar over flaming glasses of vodka), great deep focus cinematography and an incredible performance by Cybulski don't fully make up for the dead weight in this movie, the aimless narrative, the way the subplot with Szczuka's son never gets closure, or the arty symbolism (inverted crucifix in a bombed out church) that conceals the dramatic vacuum at its core. Not bad, not quite a masterpiece.

Built less around a narrative and more around a moment, characters wander in and out of the central hotel/bar. Paths cross. There's a lot of talking but very little doing except at the bookends. Cybulski does an amazing James Dean impression for the whole movie, looking hilariously out of time in 1945. The photography becomes increasingly expressionist and noir-like as the film progresses.

But for the age of the main character, this is essentially a coming-of-age film inside a political drama. There's a certain "cool" he exudes (helped by the sunglasses), but ultimately being asked to be a gun-for-hire after he thinks he's found love puts him in a quandary. Unfortunately, as the film delves a bit into the political posturing of Poland right after World War II, there's a lot I'm sure I missed.

Might be the combination of watching on little sleep and the complex plot, but this ranged from very challenging to outright impenetrable for me. The lighting in this is beautiful though.

A film that is brilliantly shot and directed, while also touching on unconventional elements of war. It weaves between moral dilemmas perfectly, all within the crux of transitioning between war and peace. Its use of post-WWII history is a bit confusing for people not aware of the history, but it gives a much stronger context to the films events which will likely resonate with the Polish people. This movie is not only an essential historic film but a cinematic marvel in its own right.

Interesting and impressive shot composition aids a story about the disorientation and meaninglessness attending the moment at which war is brought to an end, but when "peace" has yet to be established. Zastrzezynski would die the following year, and both Cybulski and Kobiela would be killed in accidents before the age of 40.

A.A.D is among Scorsese and Coppola's favourite films, and only a scant glimpse at its meticulous frames is sufficient to know why. Wadja's use of space is extraordinary, and his deep focus photography enables action to be staged in the foreground and background, necessitating repeat viewings.Through form and precise characterisation, Wadja effectively conveys the uncertainty of a transitional post-war identity, and Cybulski portrays this confusion admirably with complete conviction.

Em honra de Grażyna Staniszewska (1936 - 2018) Não há como negar que é um filme cool, muito devido ao carisma de Cybulski, mas certamente não estou entre os grandes admirados que o colocam entre os melhores filmes já feitos, mesmo com a fotografia deslumbrante. Blurayrip no Makingoff.

A film potent with the time it was made in. Given that it takes place nearly in real-time, it sags in the middle (especially with an uninvolving romance), but certainly picks up as things get heightened as they approach the climax.

Yes, that's exactly how art films were made by the maestros of that time - crowded rooms to show the circus of party politics, a dandy Resistance fighter with existential doubts, an amour fou for the poetry. Being bored by the narrative stasis of it all I looked at how the camera moved, at what was hidden and what was revealed, where the irony and the symbolism lay. Not that I really want to care about such pat things.

Dug it a lot. So much subversive energy found in cinema of this era in this area of our world. And from that energy came some pivotal, quintessentially cinematic moments and tales. This is no exception.

Star Rating: ★★★★★

A thoroughly engaging existential meditation on whats demanded from being part of a revolution and a thoughtful historical examination on the fragmented state of a nation (Poland at the end of WWII). Wajda evokes many emotions through his careful use of imagery but the film's main strength lies in Cybulski's portrayal of Maciek, filled with romantic dreaming, youthful passion and a doubt in everything but the desire to live true.

Doesn't try too hard to seem powerful but provides a nice flow which is enjoyable. The story could have had more meat to it.

"Popiól i diament" spends its runtime part as espionage thriller part more character-based and deals in the good ol' themes of duty vs. individuality, awfulness of war and finding small condolences in the face of bleak hardship. It doesn't do so in a particularly original or stimulating fashion -but it's a solid film nonetheless. The cinematography, in particular, is great -some stunning shots, especially near the ending capture the themes much more resonantly than the script could ever hope to

The camera and actor blocking reminded me a lot of Spielberg - a clear reference point for his career.

not significant as its reputation. some very obvious symbolism on Polish history on social level. too quick on moral dilemmas on individual level. a bit ordinary crime or historical movie.

Impeccably photographed, but story didn't entirely connect. Some interesting scenes discussing the end of the war and people's places in it, but Maciek's intellectual struggle with violence could have been explored more deeply.

compared to his debut feature a generation, this is sort of an anti-coming-of-age tale, as a young man struggles between love and rebellion, and ends up with neither. also, that film had a wild-eyed revolutionary spirit, whereas this one is more exhausted with things. some of the narrative decisions might not have worked entirely, but it's pretty insightful and moving.

Brilliantly shot. The main character is the polish resistance equivalent to Breathless' Michel Poicard.

#126

The film's strength is definitely in its look--the framing, the lighting, the crispness of the shots, the fluid use of the camera, and the jarring cuts. The sequence in the crypt is the real stand out, with the dangling crucifix offering one of the most striking and meaningful shots in this--or any--film. The story is also compelling--particularly the central character Maciek, who vacillates between love and murder. He knows that choosing one will effectively eliminate the other from his life.

Visually, perhaps the best I've seen so far from Wadja (yeah sorry that includes Kanal, not much else though) but the story left me fairly uninterested.

126

A really stylish film about the last days of war and the Polish resistance. The opening scene is fantastic and the rest of the film is downright classic.

118

# 135