One of the most significant achievements in the history of the Polish culture, which went down in the history of international cinema as the first film dealing with concentration camps.
The most outstanding, partly autobiographical picture of Wanda Jakubowska, a legendary Polish film director, co-author of the pre-war film avant-garde and co-organizer of post-war cinematography.
An international production with an international cast. Great performance of Barbara Drapińska playing Marta and the debuting Aleksandra Śląska playing the cruel SS-soldier.
The film hit cinema screens in 42 countries, including the USA, France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, USSR and Italy. “Ostatni etap” was also covered by UN patronage.
A deeply touching and terrifyingly authentic testimony of the martyrdom of the prisoners of the Auschwitz concentration camp. The film is so authentic that it actually resembles a staged documentary.
Another transport of Jews condemned to death in gas chambers arrives at the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. The only survivor is Marta, chosen as an interpreter. It’s the first time the girl has encountered the dismal reality of the concentration camp where death and suffering are an everyday occurrence. She gets involved in the resistance movement the center of which is the camp’s hospital. Female prisoners of different nationalities who work there try, as much as they can, to defy the Nazi terror. Their main weapon is solidarity, courage and readiness to make sacrifices. With time, most of them die. Marta together with Tadek whom she met at the concentration camp decide to attempt an escape.
Some of the characters from “Ostatni etap” were created based on real Auschwitz prisoners. The story of love and unsuccessful Marta and Tadek’s attempt to escape is authentic. It really happened to Mala Zimetbaum (concentration camp no. 19880) and Edward Galiński (concentration camp number 531).
The film was shot on the premises of the Auschwitz concentration camp, using real artifacts left after the facility was closed down (for instance striped uniforms) as props.
