Review of Ashes and Diamonds (1958) by Maxwell S — 12 Aug 2012

As far as the trilogy goes, "A Generation" is the most raw,violent and rebellious. "Kanal" is the deepest of human emotions and the most exhausting (not the film, but the characters, ll in a good way).

"Ashes and Diamonds" is the most beautiful, perfect, and basically the most well-rounded film that Wajda has ever done. While it is widely considered one of the greatest films of all time, it does have a personal feel to it, which not many film that have been hailed that title can manage to be as personal as this.

This film gives a sense of proportion of the life Maciek on his own personal affair with the war, and with the rest of Poland's response. It's set up was very simple, but very great, an accidental murder of 2 people from the cement plant, instead of a communist leader.

Things slowly escalate on the matter, and it never gets more complex than it already is. The film does demand a second viewing, just because it is a very layered film, right from the start. As usual with Wajda (At least in this trilogy) there are scenes towards the end that just are so magical, and really dwell in the moment, allowing us to grasp the emotions and thoughts of the film, all in one mesmerizing scene.

"A Generation" being the scene where he jumps off the staircase, "Kanal" being the deaths of the people, and "Ashes and Diamonds" being the sheets on the clothesline. I know, I made a bigger deal out of those than should've been made, but I found each of those scenes brilliant, and essential to the films.

This film is my favorite of the trilogy, as well as the greatest, but the other 2 are essential viewing to fully grasp and emphasize how well-rounded this film actually is.