The Steel Hearts

(Stalowe serca)


1948   >   drama/war

A war drama showing the heroism of Polish and Silesian steel workers fighting the occupant in the field of economy and industry. The film reinforces the image of a society united against the Nazi invaders while at the same time stressing the key role of the communist resistance movement and the working class.

Impressive, almost documentary cinematography by Adolf Forbert who was able to capture the specific character and the beautiful scenery of a huge ironworks.

The year 1944. Production of improved panzer plates begins in a Silesian ironworks. Members of the resistance movement prepare a sabotage, the aim of which is to blow a part of the facility up during the next airstrike. Both Polish forced laborers as well as native Silesians get involved in the anti-German movement. The plot is successful, however the ruthless Nazi Kirsche discovers that it was a purposeful action. As a revenge, he orders a group of men to be shot in front of their colleagues. The coming front makes Germans panic. They want to destroy the factory completely. The conspiring workers who are aware of the danger, decide to use firearms to take control over the ironworks.


Crew:

director
Stanisław Urbanowicz
script
Stanisław Urbanowicz (ps. Stanisław Januszewski)
d.o.p.
Adolf Forbert
designer
Anatol Radzinowicz, Roman Mann
editor
Stanisław Urbanowicz
music
Mieczysław Mierzejewski
cast
Irena Laskowska
Władysław Hańcza
Mieczysław Serwiński
Helena Buczyńska
Stanisław Winczewski
Tadeusz Burnatowicz
Edmund Biernacki
Tadeusz Łomnicki
Ludwik Ruszkowski
Materials: SD
Length: 69’

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