A Generation

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Cast & Crew

Urszula Modrzynska

Dorota

Tadeusz Łomnicki

Stach Mazur

Tadeusz Janczar

Jasio Krone

Andrzej Wajda

Director

Critic Reviews for A Generation

Audience Reviews for A Generation

• May 15, 2018

  "A Generation" is the first part of director Andrzej Wajda's "war trilogy," but isn't quite as strong as "Ashes and Diamonds" and "Kanal." The setting is Poland under German occupation during WWII. An ordinary-looking lad named Stach gets a job as an apprentice in a woodworking shop, which gives the director a chance to push socialist ideology and emphasize issues of worker exploitation (a standard Wajda concern, apparently). Stach becomes infatuated with a pretty Resistance activist, so he joins up with the underground. Some friends come along for the ride, including a pointy-nosed kid in short pants who has a nicer haircut than everyone else. Yup, it's Roman Polanski. (Have patience - he doesn't enter until about the 45-minute mark.) There's not much else to say about the plot beyond cautioning that if you give weapons to naive youths, there are bound to be complications. The B&W cinematography and stirring orchestral score are much more sophisticated than what's typically found in a director's first feature, and every face seems eloquently lit with perfect subtlety. Also, the opening sequence is a long take, and who doesn't love a movie that begins with a long take? However, the story lacks universality - knowledge of political history seems required - and feels a little thin, even considering the film's modest, 83-minute length.
  

  eric b Super Reviewer
• Jul 31, 2010

  Simplistic in its patriotism, but effective in its primary intentions. We could say Wajda was the auteur that rose Polish cinema out of the blue. Considering that the neorealist era had ended, he resorted to other means, creating what is considered now as a shocking war trilogy, controversial when first released and up-to-date in its subject matter. This first entry is spectacular, and quite unknown and underrated. How can you ignore the highlights of this Polish classic? Wajda beginning to grow and to find his director's signature; Alexander Ford (Krzyzacy [1960]) watching the filmmaking process from a third-person perspective as the artistic supervisor; Roman Polanski (Nóz w Wodzie [1962]; Repulsion [1965]) having a small amount of screen time as a patriotic rebel of youth; and an opening track shot of four minutes which encourages any viewer to watch the whole movie. Cheers. 98/100
  

  Super Reviewer
• Mar 02, 2009

  The first film of Wajda's War Trilogy. It's a very good for Wadja's first film, but there are some amateur mistakes. The story is about a young man who starts out stealing coal from the Nazi's to leading a Polish Resistance. Very good story with great characters. The problem is some of the staging of the action. It is a little awkward and not well planned out.The film is fast paced and can be a little confusing. It is still entertaining and a great effort for a first film.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Jul 06, 2008

  The first in Andrzej Wajda's War Trilogy. A Generation tells the story of a group of Communist youths attempting to fight against the Nazis in occupied Poland. Not the most exciting film but the short running time means you don't get bored. Also look out for a very young Roman Polanski.
  

  Super Reviewer