I love Polish cinema of 50-80's - it was elegant, deep, decent, true to life, devoid of flashy effects and very much dwelling on realism.
This epic movie tells us about May Coup of 1926 in Poland when Marshal Jozef Pilsudski seized the power from weak President and Prime Minister by the way of open aggression, fights in Warsa and slow steady progress in battles.
The movie shows us a large gallery of politicians, military staff, bishops, civilians and soldiers caught in this bloody conflict. The battle itself is shown but as widely as the viewer may expect. No, the emphasis is made upon psychp;ogocal side, we see and feel the thoughts and fears of all those involved. The losing side is shown with great sympathy, especially common soldiers dying for some cause. Pilsudski is depicted as a cold, calculating officer with no hesitation and no remorse. Ryszard Filipski plays his part and does a great justice to a Polish hero.
This is a very deep drama with much food for thought. Highly recommended
