In his fourth “Silesian” movie, Kazimierz Kutz confronts the attitudes of romanticism. A psychological drama replaces distinctive poetics of a ballad. A dazzling performance was given by Krzysztof Kolberger as a character obsessed by ideas of romanticism, and an extremely passionate and sensual Iwona Świętochowska.
Following the September Defeat of 1939, Janek Klimza returns to his native Silesia. He is immediately stricken by a variety of responses and attitudes of the local people towards the German occupation. Some of them openly express their support for the Third Reich. Swastika flags decorate the streets of Katowice, while children and youth parade in their „Hitlerjugend” uniforms. Janek decides to set up an anti-German organization. He shares these plans with his friend Darek and Darek’s sister Majka. Majka becomes a liaison officer in the organization. Janek refuses to sign the declaration of loyalty to the Third Reich, arguing that he would not be of much use to the country. Majka tells Janek that she loves him. It is past the curfew and Janek is forced to spend a night at Majka’s place. He spurns her advances, which she finds deeply humiliating. Gestapo arrests several members of the organization. Janek manages to get out of the trap. Of all the arrested members, Majka is the only one released from prison. This raises suspicions and leads to the decision to follow Majka. It turns out that she is a frequent guest in a flat of a German officer. She must be eliminated. Janek volunteers to carry out the execution order. Dressed up as a postman, he gets into the officer’s apartment where he finds him in bed with Majka. He kills the guy, but cannot bring himself to shoot at the hysterical girl. The remaining members of the organization try to rebuild the group. Taken from the Bible, their new motto goes: “I will stand upon my watch”.
