7.9/10
6,432
28 user 31 critic

Kanal (1957)

Not Rated | | Drama, War | 20 April 1957 (Poland)
Kanal Poster
In 1944, during the Warsaw uprising against the Nazis, Polish Lieutenant Zadra and his resistance fighters use Warsaw's sewer system to escape the German encirclement.

Director:

Andrzej Wajda

Writers:

Jerzy Stefan Stawinski (screenplay), Jerzy Stefan Stawinski (story)

Stars:

Teresa Izewska, Tadeusz Janczar, Wienczyslaw Glinski | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 2 nominations. See more awards »

Photos

See all 57 photos »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Teresa Izewska ... Stokrotka
Tadeusz Janczar ... Ens. Jacek 'Korab'
Wienczyslaw Glinski ... Lt. 'Zadra'
Tadeusz Gwiazdowski Tadeusz Gwiazdowski ... Sgt. 'Kula'
Stanislaw Mikulski ... Smukly
Emil Karewicz ... Lt. 'Madry'
Vladek Sheybal ... Michal 'Ogromny', the composer (as Wladyslaw Sheybal)
Teresa Berezowska Teresa Berezowska ... Halinka
Zofia Lindorf Zofia Lindorf ... Old woman looking for her daughter
Janina Jablonowska Janina Jablonowska ... Woman
Maria Kretz Maria Kretz ... Wounded Woman
Jan Englert ... Zefir
Kazimierz Dejunowicz ... Capt. 'Zabawa'
Zdzislaw Lesniak Zdzislaw Lesniak ... Maly
Maciej Maciejewski ... Lt. 'Gustaw'
See full cast »
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Storyline

A symbolic depiction of hell on Earth, set in the last days of the Warsaw uprising in 1944. Lieutenant Zadra is commanding a company of 43 men in a desperate battle amidst the ruins. Facing German offense and cut off from their comrades, Zadra is commanded to retreat his men through the sewer system ('kanal'). Zadra and his men are reluctant to do so, as it would indicate that they have lost the battle, but decide to obey the orders. However, as the men (and women) retreat, it becomes clear that their desperate attempt to flee from the hell of battle will result only in more death and suffering... Written by Heka A.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

warsaw poland | year 1944 | warsaw uprising | resistance | polish military | See All (27) »

Taglines:

"THE END of SEPTEMBER 1944 the Warsaw uprising was drawing to its tragic end." So begins the brilliant new Polish film about the men and women who took to the sewers of Warsaw in flight from the Nazis See more »

Genres:

Drama | War

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Did You Know?

Trivia

This film has a 100% rating based on 7 critic reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. See more »

Quotes

Halinka: It's easier to die when you're in love.
See more »

Connections

Featured in Century of Cinema: 100 Years of Polish Cinema (1995) See more »

User Reviews

 
Resistance is Futile
24 June 2001 | by begger – See all my reviews

In many respects this movie is sheer brilliance. For starters "Kanal" describes the entire Polish Revolt in a single instance at the eve of its termination. But this movie is much more than a parable of Revolution and struggle. "Kanal" has great characters, great settings, great scenes, and, above all, an important message to be told.

What would it be like to fight an impossible battle against a larger force and be in the real world? What would it be like to face death at every turn and still travel on knowing defeat awaited you at the next bend? "Kanal" is the answer to these questions.
33 of 42 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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Details

Country:

Poland

Language:

Polish | German

Release Date:

20 April 1957 (Poland) See more »

Also Known As:

Kanal See more »

Filming Locations:

Dluga, Sródmiescie, Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zespól Filmowy "Kadr" See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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