Czlowiek Z Zelaza (1981)

Film about the 1980s steelworkers strike in Poland

"Czlowiek Z Zelaza" ("Man of Iron") is the sequel to "Man of Marble." "Man of Marble" consisted of an unraveling story that unfolded by a series of flashbacks told by various characters, and this film follows a similar format. Although the unfolding of the story was probably not as complex, the film has important historical significance.

As "Man of Marble" recounted events of the 1950s to 1970s, "Man of Iron" covers the time of the 1970s to 1980s. Essentially, "Man of Iron" is the story of how the government attempts to suppress the steelworkers strike. Although the characters of the film are fictitious, it is based on historical events. This is an important film for understanding the Police State that existed in the early 1980s in Poland.

"Man of Iron" answers the questions left unanswered in "Man of Marble." The same leading actors (Krystyna Janda and Jerzy Radziwilowicz) also star in this film. Boguslaw Linda, who later comes to star in numerous Polish films, also plays a part in "Man of Iron."

"Man of Iron" (1981) is about 147 minutes in length and is directed by Andrzej Wajda. Wajda is known outside of Poland as being one of its best directors. If you saw "Man of Marble," this film is definitely worth watching, as it will provide one with the rest of the story.
September 7, 2004

a well made film

this film captures the essence of the struggle of the polish people to achieve not only freedom but unity. The Focus is on a journalist who is assigned by the government to learn about a solidarity leader in the Gdansk shipyard strike around 1980. The journalist is expected to gather information about the leader from unsuspecting members or sympathizers of solidarity and then to create negative propaganda that would help the government destroy the strikers. He becomes torn between his conscience and his fatalistic desire to survive in the communist system. He has sympathy for the strikers, but he doesn't want to lose his job or go to jail. Should he refuse to help the communists or should he betray the strikers and, ultimately, Poland? It is not a easy choice for a man, who, like most of us, is less than perfect. The journalist's moral dilemna evolves as we find out more about the background and motivation of the solidarity leader and as great political and social events rock Poland. Wajda succeeds in showing us the intensity and drama of a great historical event while also showing us how individuals struggle to react and adapt to these events. This film is very well made, and, in my opinion, meaniful not only to poles, but to many of us in the West who take alot of what we have for granted. June 17, 2000

More reviews at Amazon.com ...