A powerful post-World War II film and the conclusion to Andrzej Wajda's war trilogy. When confined to its limited setting the film drags and some moments seem insignificant, but the more it explores the natures of its characters and the state of a repressed country trying to rebuild, a tragic beauty emerges. More politically driven than emotionally, but its portrayal of post-war Poland is full of raw emotion, much of it coming from Zbigniew Cybulski's heart wrenching performance. Andrzej Wajda shows glimpses of magnificence - the beginning and conclusion are brutal stabs to the heart - and you can see why he is one of the great Polish directors.