Product Details

• Actors: Jerzy Radzilwilowicz
• Directors: Andrzej Wajda
• Format: Dolby, PAL
• Language: Polish
• Subtitles: English
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Mr Bongo Films
• DVD Release Date: June 28, 2009
• Run Time: 147 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0027REDQ6
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #252,912 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: Polish ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Subtitles ), French ( Subtitles ), Spanish ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (2.35:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda's sequel to his immensely well-received Man of Marble covers some of the same ground: the relationship of labor leaders to their communist political masters and the difficulties the media encounters in covering that story. But it adds an exceptionally timely element: footage from the real-life Solidarity movement strikes led by Lech Walesa that were taking place during the film's production are woven into the dramatic story. There are a few glimpses of Walesa, and he even pops up as a guest at the wedding of the fictional story's hero. That man, Tomczyk, is the son of Birkut, the labor leader profiled in Man of Marble, and he's played by the actor Jerzy Radziwilowicz, who played Birkut in the first film. In Man of Marble, a student filmmaker in late 1970s Poland tried to uncover the story of Birkut, a working-class hero of the '50s who was later politically discredited and killed in a 1970 strike demonstration. Here, Winkiel (Marian Opania), an alcoholic radio journalist, is assigned by the state to cover the rise to prominence of Tomczyk, but with an eye to discrediting him and the Solidarity movement as well. Like The Godfather II, Man of Iron successfully expands on the story of its predecessor while provocatively exploring many of the same issues. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Cannes Film Festival, Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain, Oscar Academy Awards, ...Man of Iron ( Czlowiek z zelaza )

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A film about the Solidarity movement, July 8, 2009

By 

Richard J. Brzostek (New England, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Man Of Iron (PAL) (DVD)

Man of Iron (Czlowiek z Zelaza) is the sequel to Andrzej Wajda's Man of Marble. Much like Man of Marble, which consists of an unraveling story that is unfolded by a series of flashbacks told by various characters, this film follows a similar format. This time, a reporter named Winkel has the task of unraveling the story at the urging of government agents who want him to find dirt on Maciej Tomczyk (Jerzy Radziwilowicz), a key player of Solidarity movement.

Although the characters of the film are fictitious, it is based on historical events. As Man of Marble recounts events of the 1950s to 1970s, Man of Iron covers the time of the 1970s to 1980s. Essentially, Man of Iron is the story of how the government attempts to suppress the steelworkers' strike. In the context of the story we learn about the Police State that existed in the early 1980s in Poland and the Solidarity movement that helped topple communism. I also have to add, Man of Iron stands alone well and it isn't necessary to watch Man of Marble to enjoy it.

For those who saw Man of Marble this film will be even more interesting as it resolves the questions left unanswered. Man of Iron has several of the same leading actors (such as Krystyna Janda). Furthermore, a young Boguslaw Linda, who later became one of the most popular and highest paid Polish actors in the 1990s-2000s, also plays a part in Man of Iron. This early character is quite a contrast to the "though guy" roles he is most known for and which made him famous. Also of interest is that Lech Walesa, who is practically synonymous with the Solidarity movement, appears as himself in this movie.

Andrzej Wajda is probably one of the most famous Polish directors of all time. His films are often based on great works of literature or portray important historical events. Unquestionably, Man of Iron fits in with the later showing us a key event of great importance to Polish history from the early 1980s. Wajda's films are all worth watching.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A film about the Solidarity movement, November 22, 2009

By 

Richard J. Brzostek (New England, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Man of Iron (Czlowiek z zelaza) (DVD)

Man of Iron (Czlowiek z Zelaza) is the sequel to Andrzej Wajda's Man of Marble. Much like Man of Marble, which consists of an unraveling story that is unfolded by a series of flashbacks told by various characters, this film follows a similar format. This time, a reporter named Winkel has the task of unraveling the story at the urging of government agents who want him to find dirt on Maciej Tomczyk (Jerzy Radziwilowicz), a key player of Solidarity movement.

Although the characters of the film are fictitious, it is based on historical events. As Man of Marble recounts events of the 1950s to 1970s, Man of Iron covers the time of the 1970s to 1980s. Essentially, Man of Iron is the story of how the government attempts to suppress the steelworkers' strike. In the context of the story we learn about the Police State that existed in the early 1980s in Poland and the Solidarity movement that helped topple communism. I also have to add, Man of Iron stands alone well and it isn't necessary to watch Man of Marble to enjoy it.

For those who saw Man of Marble this film will be even more interesting as it resolves the questions left unanswered. Man of Iron has several of the same leading actors (such as Krystyna Janda). Furthermore, a young Boguslaw Linda, who later became one of the most popular and highest paid Polish actors in the 1990s-2000s, also plays a part in Man of Iron. This early character is quite a contrast to the "though guy" roles he is most known for and which made him famous. Also of interest is that Lech Walesa, who is practically synonymous with the Solidarity movement, appears as himself in this movie.

Andrzej Wajda is probably one of the most famous Polish directors of all time. His films are often based on great works of literature or portray important historical events. Unquestionably, Man of Iron fits in with the later showing us a key event of great importance to Polish history from the early 1980s. Wajda's films are all worth watching.