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Man of Iron

Name: Man of Iron
Genre: Drama, History
Released: 1981-07-27
Cast: Jerzy Radziwiłowicz, Krystyna Janda, Marian Opania, Irena Byrska, Wiesława Kosmalska

1981 | 147 min | Drama, History

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With soft box office and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for history buffs. If you loved Belfast or Ed Wood, start here.
The mood: Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 27 min.
What might put you off: It's in Polish, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

In Warsaw in 1980, the Communist Party sends disgruntled radio reporter Winkel to Gdańsk to dig up dirt on the shipyard strikers - particularly on Maciek Tomczyk, an independent labour union leader whose father was killed in the December 1970 protests. Posing as sympathetic, Winkel interviews the people surrounding Tomczyk, including his detained wife, Agnieszka.

How it earned its rating

CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsSolid
Won 1 Cannes award: Palme d'Or. Also nominated for 1 Oscar.
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$492K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 20K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Andrzej Wajda

Jerzy RadziwiłowiczMaciek Tomczyk / Mateusz Birkut
Krystyna JandaAgnieszka
Marian OpaniaWinkel
Irena Byrskamatka Hulewicz
Wiesława KosmalskaWiesława Hulewicz
Bogusław LindaDzidek
Franciszek TrzeciakBadecki
Janusz Gajoszastępca szefa Radiokomitetu
Andrzej Sewerynkapitan Wirski
Marek KondratGrzenda