Boldyn (1982, Poland)
Original / alternative title: Bołdyn
Categories: ambush movies partisans movies
BoldynDirector: Ewa Petelska, Czeslaw Petelski
Czas: 120 minut
Laguages: Polish

Original / alternative title: Bołdyn
Categories: ambush movies partisans movies
BoldynDirector: Ewa Petelska, Czeslaw Petelski
Laguages: Polish
Legendary partisans leader has to keep his unit together, but he has problem with keeping his own mind together.
Polish partisans fighting in the dense forests and swamps near Bialystok. They are surrounded by the German forces and have the power only to harass the occupants. The only thing that keeps their morale is their leader, the legendary General Boldyn, who proved his devotion and tactical sense in the past. When new recruit becomes his adjutant he learns the toug and uncompromising nature of the general. With time the general feels more and more isolated from the world outside. When he learns that for some time his officers were feeding him with made up reports he starts to sink into paranoia. The officers see that his decisions and behavior have changed to the point that his sanity is in question, but they try to maintain the status quo - keep the general happy and keep the soldiers unaware of his state.
Based on novel by Jerzy Putrament the film depicts with decent level of realism the life of Polish partisans during the war. Of course the reality was twisted by the views of Putrament, who was ardent communist, so he ommited some facts, like Russian forces advancing towards the Berlin were also fighting the Polish partisans, and instead Russians are dropping the ammunition to help partisans.
But apart from that it is interesting study of isolation of the highest officers in face of the enemy. As it is said in the movie "you all get your orders, but he doesn’t have anyone who would give him an order", which summarizes the weight he had to carry when leading his men. Good cast and good script, interesting study of characters.
Our rating
6.0
Film value
7 / 10
Realism factor
4 / 5
Adventure factor
2 / 5
Historical accuracy
2 / 5