The Death Sentence

(Wyrok śmierci)


1980   >   psychological/drama/war

A novel take on psychological war drama showing the dark and unpopular side of the underground struggle – the fates of people who carried out death sentences ruled by the Polish underground. A realistic plot devoid of unnecessary pathos with good acting allowed showing a previously hidden part of the truth about those difficult times and the difficult choices people had to make.

The script was based on the boom “Wakacje Kata” by Jerzy Gierałtowski.

The story of a young resistance fighter who’s allocated to a unit tasked with executing Nazi invaders and their Polish collaborators.         

1943. Officer cadet “Smukły” travels to Zamość where Germans are brutally pacifying and relocating local residents. The lead character begins working under “Nurek”, an experienced and cynical hitman. Together they perform the death sentence on several traitors. Soon, they are tasked with killing Foerster, a high-ranking SS officer. While collecting information on him “Smukły” gets into an intimate relationship with the Nazi’s mistress, Christine. The mission is a success, but “Smukły” suffers a nervous breakdown when he receives orders to kills Christine as well. He decides to quit his job as executioner. Little does he know – submitting to human emotions will cost him dearly.


Crew:

director
Witold Orzechowski
script
Witold Orzechowski
d.o.p.
Kazimierz Konrad
designer
Adam Kopczyński
editor
Alina Faflik
music
Andrzej Korzyński
cast
Wojciech Wysocki
Jerzy Bończak
Doris Kunstmann
Stanisław Igar
Sławomira Łozińska
Materials: SD
Length: 101’