Ashes and Diamonds (1958)

4 Stars (out of 4)

Rebel with a Cause

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

This great film by Andrzej Wajda is considered the greatest Polish film ever made, and I'm surethat's not too far off the mark. Taking place just after the liberationof Poland at the end of WWII, several private factions still feel theneed to fight. But the young James Dean-like Zbigniew Cybulski wonderswhy, especially after he meets and falls in love with a beautifulbarmaid. The story takes place over the course of one day and depictsthe failed assassination attempt of a new Communist district leader andthe subsequent second try. The achingly charismatic Cybulski virtuallymakes this film work all by himself; after the film's release, legionsof young Polish men rushed out to buy copies of his trademark darkglasses.

DVD Details: Facets' digital transfer has the expected film flaws, but they're not enough to ward anyone away from seeing this classic.