A successful example of a social realist film that goes beyond the rigid framework of typical propaganda productions. The conventional plot and obligatory political motives are tempered by a relatively authentic depiction of the working environment and a fairly wide variety of characters. Nevertheless, to the contemporary viewer some elements of Rybkowski’s film may seem to be teetering on the brink of parody.
An adaptation of Bohdan Hamera’s State Award-winning novel “Na przykład Plewa”.
The process of maturation of the working class consciousness, illustrated by the inner evolution of an old watchman who in the new communist Poland is given the chance for self-development and self-fulfillment.
The old watchman Błażej Plewa feels deeply bound to the steelworks where he has worked for years. After World War II, communist activists intend to restart the plant. They face an obstacle: the necessary equipment was either taken by the Germans or ravaged by the local population. At the request of the new management, Plewa decides to reveal the place where the valuable equipment is hidden. His attitude is noticed by the party representatives. The man is given a chance for a promotion. He educates himself and takes up the position of a foreman. Slowly, learning from his own mistakes, he gains the experience and respect of his subordinates. When everything seems to be going well in the unit managed by Plewa, an act of sabotage occurs – the work of the anti-communist “gang” which will do anything it takes to disrupt the work of the steelworks.
