Warsaw 44 (2014)

Wow, just wow! The film's visuals are absolutely stunning! This is a good old-fashioned love story with a very strong vengeance element, as well, amidst the horrors of war. Unlike most war films, though, this one does not concentrate on war gore, but there are quite a few disturbing scenes that will make you shudder. The film has great characters with excellent character development, and the acting was great, too. At times the film's unpredictability will make you jolt in your seat. Jozef Pawlowski makes a credible, determined hero with vengeance burning in his heart. This incredible production is easily one of my favorite war films, if not my favorite. The music was awesome.

This is a VERY well made film, and refreshingly so from a production that is not American. The visual effects are amazing and in my opinion do NOT take away from the emotions of the actual story.I doubt the tragic history of Warsaw has ever been this brutally and realistically portrayed. One of the best WWII movies out there. It has found the balance between using cool and bloody visuals and slow-mo effects without making it so over the top that it becomes a pure action movie.What makes me give 9 instead of 10 stars is the storyline, which even though great and not too cliché does lack something. I can't really pinpoint what it is.But overall, this is a brilliant historical drama!

My both parents took an active part in Warsaw Uprising, and growing up in Warsaw I absorbed a whole lot of facts and points of view from the rest of my family, neighbors, books,newspapers, TV, and other movies about the Uprising. For the obvious reason this movie is very personal to me, and for the most part took me really close to the image of the events I've had since my childhood. The love triangle is not too important to me, as it could be replaced with another situation, typical for young people of this age. The battle scenes are extremely gruesome, but seem to be closer to reality than many war movies will show you. My uncle was cut in half by the bomb blast and the family could only bury the body from the waist down. My father was moving through the sewage system, full of stench from dead bodies and rats feasting on the corpses. Once he emerged he was not able to talk at all for several months. My parents were as young and full of life as the characters in the movie, and although love was definitely not a priority back then, the youth and all the things associated was a dominant factor. So this is how this movie talks to me - the youth is such an incredible force, it allows a man to go through Dante's hell.

I don't often watch Polish films but I have to admit that this one was worth my while. From the talented young actors to the music to the special effects, the film sticks in your mind. The plot was less realistic than originally expected but nevertheless manages to successfully and accurately portray the Warsaw uprising of 1944 with extraordinary attention to detail. However, I must add that a few of the scenes were so unrealistic and cringe worthy that I had to turn away (Yes, I'm talking about the infamous kissing scene were the bullets simply fly around the characters while they share a passionate kiss (complete with slow motion effects) making the whole scene almost funny, bearing in mind the fact that they were being shot at). On the other hand I understand and appreciate the directors 'artistic approach'. The acting, in my opinion, was spot-on. The raw emotions in some of the scenes were almost tear jerking. Especially with the benefit of hindsight and knowledge that this film was based on actual events. Several quotes stuck with me (e.g. "These are my people..." "These kids?" because let's face it, that's what they all really were. This really does grab you by the throat as a viewer , knowing all the terrors those young people experienced). It was quite an eye opener. The film set is amazing. As previously mentioned, the attention to detail is wonderful. From the costumes to the props and scenery. The music choices created a wonderful link between tradition/the history and modern times resulting in a fantastic mix of the two. All in all, I was pleased and well-satisfied with the film (despite the weak-ish ending). Everything from the acting to the general mise-en-scene contributes to the final (spectacular) effect this film has on the viewer. I highly recommend watching this film. 130 minutes well spent.