"In its first part, the film is a masterpiece. Never before has Wajda revealed such virtuosity. He has not succumbed to the temptation of formal exercise. Far from any baroque mannerism, he says what he has to say firmly, even brutally, while using a minimum of effects, in shades nearly classical. This style present throughout the film reveals a great talent on the threshold of maturity." Konrad Eberhardt "Film", Warsaw, September 1961 No attempt has been made to discuss this new offer, so different from Wajda's previous works, in terms of creative, rather than propaganda merits, or the author's intentions and the values which the film contributes to our cinematography. Cast Serge Merlin ... Jakub Gold Alina Janowska ... Lucyna Elżbieta Kępińska ... Kazia, Malina's Niece Jan Ciecierski ... Józef Malina Tadeusz Bartosik ... Pankrat Władysław Kowalski ... Fialka Irena Netto ... Jakub's Mother Beata Tyszkiewicz ... Stasia Jan Ibel ... Genio Bogumil Antczak ... Prisoner Edmund Fetting ... Guest at Lucyna's Party Roland Głowacki ... Guest at Lucyna's Party Andrzej Herder ... Gestapo Officer Zygmunt Hübner ... Gestapo Officer Zofia Jamry ... Woman Blackmailing Malina Awards Nominated for a Golden Lion in 1961 at the Venice Film Festival See also The Fifth Horseman is Fear Notes References External links The Academy's profile of Wajda 1961 films 1961 drama films Polish avant-garde and experimental films 1960s coming-of-age drama films Films based on the Hebrew Bible Films about Jews and Judaism Films directed by Andrzej Wajda Polish black-and-white films Films set in Poland Holocaust films 1960s Polish-language films Samson 1960s avant-garde and experimental films Polish drama films