Cinematography
Crushing blackness of mine shafts as metaphor.
Acting
Nowak's silent, hunted desperation carries entire film.
Director
Witold Lesiewicz
Maria Ciesielska
Elżbieta Karolek
Józef Nowak
Robert
Wanda Łuczycka
Barbara Karolek
Mariusz Dmochowski
Hauptsturmführer Franz Steiner
Wiesław Gołas
Heinrich
Mieczysław Serwiński
Śliwiok
Jerzy Nowak
Klein
Adolf Chronicki
Steiner's Commander
Irena Szymkiewicz
Erna - Nurse
Barbara Modelska
Bartender
Michał Leśniak
Szubert - Supervisor
Zygmunt Zintel
Master of the Mine
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Made during Poland's 'Polish School' movement, when filmmakers used war trauma to critique Stalinist conformity.
Shot in actual Silesian mines; actors suffered real respiratory issues. Method acting before it was cool.
PL
