Man of Iron

Człowiek z żelaza, 1981, 156 min.

Man of Iron (1981)

Awards

1981
IFF in Cannes
“Gold Palm”

“An electrifying drama filmed against the forging of Solidarity…
a work of passionately committed cinema.” – Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Production

Director Andrzej Wajda
Screenplay Aleksander Scibor-Rylski
Cinematography Edward Klosinski
Music Andrzej Korzynski
Art Direction Allan Starski
Cast
Maciej Topmczyk Jerzy Radziwilowicz
Agnieszka Tomczyk Krystyna Janda
Winkiel Marian Opania
Capt. Wirski Andrzej Seweryn
Hulewicz’s Mother Irena Brylska
Anna Hulewicz Wieslawa Kosmalska
Kryska Krzysztof Janczar
TV Journalist Boguslaw Sobczuk
Radio Technician Boguslaw Linda
Guest Star Lech Walesa
Story
The follow-up to “Man of Marble” deals with a reporter (Opania) who is expected to tow the government line when writing about the Gdansk shipyard strike of 1980. He meets the harassed laborer son (Radziwilowicz) of worker-hero Birkut, against whom Opania is expected to conduct a smear campaign, and finds his loyalties tested.

Seamlessly weaving documentary and fictional footage, has given us a remarkable synthesis of art and history in the Making. The impact is unforgettable.