A didactic slice-of-life drama about young sportspersons consisting of three narratively connected parts. The main goal of the authors of the film was to show the role of sports in the upbringing of young people and the related ethical issues. However, its biggest value is the attempt to discover the truth about idols admired by crowds and present the everyday problems and dilemmas hiding behind their successes and defeats.
The directorial debut of Stanisław Lenartowicz.
A large part of the cast were students and graduates of the Łódź Film School. The main role in the “boxing” part was played by Jerzy Antczak, who gave up acting a few years later to become a film director, with bit parts played by Stanisław Bareja, Roman Polański and Bogumił Kobiela, among others. The film also featured the last big-screen appearance of interwar film star Adam Brodzisz.
The screenplay of the “swimming” part is based on an idea of Leopold Tyrmand; the “boxing” and “cycling” parts are screen adaptations of short stories by Marian Promiński and Stanisław Dygat.
Three sports officials on their way to an important competition meet on a train. Coach Majewski tells his colleagues about his problems with Hanka – a young, greatly talented swimmer from his team who cannot fully commit herself to her work. The girl has recently gone through a heartbreak and is in poor form. However, despite Majewski’s objections the club decided to send her to a national competition, where he expects her to suffer a defeat. Boxing coach Balcerzak reminisces about his student Józek Walczak. Humiliated by hooligans before his girlfriend’s eyes, the boy decided to learn how to fight. He accidentally found himself under Balcerzak’s wings, who spotted real talent in him. Sadly, after the initial successes Walczak got into a fight with his old rival and wasted his promising career. Referee Kałużny tells his colleagues a story from the world of cycling. Teammates Mietek Leśniak and Tolek Pilarski were taking place in a multi-stage race. While Pilarski was one of the favorites, first-timer Leśniak was one of the weakest contenders. During an important stage of the race, they both managed to escape the peloton. In the decisive moment, Leśniak abandoned his colleague, who needed help, to seize the desired victory.
