Review of Ashes and Diamonds (1958) by Alexander P — 01 Oct 2012

Bering one of the most turbulent anti-war movies in Polish history, Ashes and Diamonds have its share of the astounding melancholic glory. It's a realistic tale about the decisions that we make, the way the shape our lives, and about the actions that we must do, even though they don't always agree with our beliefs. Through the story of Maciek, a young partizan on a mission to kill a high-ranked communist, Wajda wanted to announce that sometimes killing evil, powerful people might not be the way to succeed. Maciek has to follow orders, but after one horrible accident two innocent people die, and he suddenly starts to change his mind. Moreover, after a brief affair with a pretty bartender girl Krystyna, he seems to hesitate even more. Maciek is under a huge pressure from his superiors, and even though his emotions guide him in another direction, he finally decides to pull the trigger and end the whole farce.

Stupendously patriotic and hearth-warming, Ashes and Diamonds marks Cybulski's most memorable performance. His i-don't-care way of acting and alluring bravura, compared to those of James Dean, show an actor who isn't afraid to make a statement about his skills.