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"Ashes and Diamonds" for Victor

64.111.4.10

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Finally finished watching it last night.
I would call it a really humane film. I was surprised to see that it was made in the late 50s and probalby even shown in USSR at that time, since it was dubbed in Russian, probably when the window was opened a little bit during Hrusshiov's ottepel'.
As far as the performances - Cybulski was an actor of the highest caliber(I don't like the term superstar, since it's inflicted by the critics and implies all the accompanying nonsense) and his performance in this film is the one of merit. In fact - all the actors were perfect. Eva Krzyewska, who I haven't seen in any other films is the minor-toned heroine slapped by the war. I also thought that the whole absurd of the celebratory gathering(almost derived from that Soviet svadba film with Martinsson;remember-V Grezii vsio est'!?) was played to a tee. There are some overtones that overlap with the French Realist films from that time, like Hiroshima Mon Amour, especially the scenes in which the two heroes are alone; but Ashes is much more profound.
How about that overturned gigantic crucifix in the bombed out church?! Priceless.
I really don't have any cohesive things to say about this film without sounding like one of those people on Public TV, but I know one thing - I'll watch it again.
I read that it was a 3rd and final film in Wajda's war triptych, but I doubt that I'll be able to find the other two.

Follow Ups:

Re: "Ashes and Diamonds" for Victor Victor Khomenko 12:30:40 10/16/00 (5)
***Finally finished watching it last night.
I would call it a really humane film. I was surprised to see that it was made in the late 50s and probalby even shown in USSR at that time, since it was dubbed in Russian, probably when the window was opened a little bit during Hrusshiov's ottepel'.
As far as the performances - Cybulski was an actor of the highest caliber(I don't like the term superstar, since it's inflicted by the critics and implies all the accompanying nonsense) and his performance in this film is the one of merit. In fact - all the actors were perfect. Eva Krzyewska, who I haven't seen in any other films is the minor-toned heroine slapped by the war. I also thought that the whole absurd of the celebratory gathering(almost derived from that Soviet svadba film with Martinsson;remember-V Grezii vsio est'!?) was played to a tee. There are some overtones that overlap with the French Realist films from that time, like Hiroshima Mon Amour, especially the scenes in which the two heroes are alone; but Ashes is much more profound.
How about that overturned gigantic crucifix in the bombed out church?! Priceless.
I really don't have any cohesive things to say about this film without sounding like one of those people on Public TV, but I know one thing - I'll watch it again.
I read that it was a 3rd and final film in Wajda's war triptych, but I doubt that I'll be able to find the other two.
I am really happy you liked it - I kind of knew you would. Yes, it was shown in Russia right after it was released, and on TV! I remember my mother trying to block the screen so I would miss the love scenes... fat chance!
I don't remember some of the details that you are describing - it's been many years. But I recall the overal mood, the impression and it was strong. I would not mind watching it again.
What else was in the Wajda's triptych? Was the Kanal one of them? I have not been able to find it here, and I have tried several times.
It is so unfortunate that Zbigniew Cybulski had dies this early and this silly - he was only 40.
I'd say, now you MUST get "The Ashes". Great follow-up, but be forewarned - once you see Pola Raksa, you may not be able to sleep well for quite some time. Back in those years she was the universal crash of all young and restless guys. She was THAT beautiful.
- Re: "Ashes and Diamonds" for Victor Dmitry 17:13:16 10/16/00 (4)
  Kanal and Generation are the 1st two films of this trilogy. I really don't think I have a chance of getting the Ashes film you recommend, but I will try.
  I remember Pola Raksa(I was but a toddler, but name rings a bell) in Zosya film. I think she was "it" in the 1970s.
  I must respectfully disagree about the "Eyes Wide Shut". I liked it a lot.
  - How could I forget! Dmitry 17:30:23 10/16/00 (3)
    She was in the Saragosa Manuscript with Cybulski(they were just showing it here in the city! Supposedly it's a cult film) and of course in the "Four tank crew and a dog"!!!
    - Did you know she was born in Belorussia? Victor Khomenko 19:27:59 10/16/00 (2)
      In 1941.
      The Saragosa Manuscript - you know, I missed it back then, and never saw it. I shall try finding it. She plays a secondary role there, I belive.
      So you too, went through some Pola crash... sounds like it.
      I'd have to say, when it comes to beauty and style, Polish women beat their French counterparts 60 times out of 100.
      It is OK to disagree on the Eyes. To me Kubrick is still one of the best ever. After the Barry he could have been doing Tampax commercials for the rest of his life - he was "chosen".
      - Re: And Cybulski in Ukraine. Dmitry 20:45:17 10/16/00 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Did you know she was born in Belorussia? posted by Victor Khomenko on October 16, 2000 at 19:27:59:
        
        She's old then...
        Where do you get your information? I sometimes look up things on allmovie.com, but it's a coin toss. Luckily I have good, but selective memory.
        Saragosa might be too late for you - a perfect film for a romantic 15 y.o. boy.
        Saw Cider House Rules yesterday also. What's the big deal, I don't know. Simplistic to the bone - they threw everything in there. Moral is - if you are good, you are good, it's better to be good than bad, etc.
        If you haven't seen it - save your roubles and time.
        Also saw the Ghost Dog:The Way of the Samurai. Holy s***t - it was horrible. Jarmusch really screwed up on that one. Obviously he can't make a film that deals with even minimal amounts of conventional reality. Forest Whitaker as a samurai, and I gave it a fighting chance too.
        A couple of minutes of, I believe, Andrew Cyrille & Jimmy Lyons' Free Jazz compostion is the only thing I really enjoyed a lot. Couldn't make out the credits on my 19" screen. Does anyone know if it was Lyons, or am I wrong?? I'm sure that cut didn't make it into the soundtrack.
        
        Re: And Cybulski in Ukraine. Victor Khomenko 05:20:03 10/17/00 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: And Cybulski in Ukraine. posted by Dmitry on October 16, 2000 at 20:45:17:
        
        ***She's old then...
        LOL! Women (and men) with true style never get old, they age like a good wine!
        But I have not seen her in ages, of course, so I am guessing at this point. She is about 60 now.
        ***Where do you get your information? I sometimes look up things on allmovie.com, but it's a coin toss.
        I usually use the imdb.com, they have tons of information.
        ***Luckily I have good, but selective memory.
        I think you are doing great. I am more prone to remembering the feelings, the impressions, the moods rather than the facts, so I would be lost without a site like that.

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