In Darkness (2011)

Strong and Moving!

Simply A Masterpiece

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Of course it is not a new "Schindler's List" as the protagonist is of a much smaller dedication in my opinion. This is not like "The Pianist", since the movie does not have the talent of Adrien Brody. I believe a lot of people including myself understand that it is not a GREAT movie. But still it's full of emotions, regrets, memories that many of us don't want to accept actually. I am absolutely convinced that the military drama must keep some traces (conclusions) in reasonable people's minds. If a trace wasn't left, then, the filming team did not cope with the task. No doubts this film did cope. So the conclusion is pretty simple: it is not a great but a GOOD military drama about Poland, Nazis, genocide, horror, dignity and of course love.I usually say about on-war movies that it is necessary to watch them, to remember and to be desperately willing (or to pray if you are a believer) to a similar never happens again. Never ever.7 of 10

It's WWII in German-occupied Polish city Lwów. Leopold Socha is a sewer worker and an opportunist looking to enrich himself with Jewish gold. At first, he and his co-worker friend Szczepek Wróblewski help the Jews but only for a price. However, the danger of discovery mounts. Some people get suspicious. Leopold finds himself alone hiding his group even after they run out of money.The obvious holocaust movie comparison is the great 'Schindler's List'. Of course, there is similarity between Schindler and Socha. However the characters in this movie seem move gritty. It's more than the grungy sewer location. It is the people's pettiness and ugly racism. It's not just the Germans, or the Ukranians or the Poles. It's also the Jews. For most of the movie, the motives are not high-minded. Fear and the survival instincts hold sway. The eventual idealism comes not as a single revelation as Schindler riding his horse watching the ghetto be liquidated. It comes in a series of steps that moves forward and backwards. More than once, Socha almost abandons his Jews and almost as many times, Socha is about to be killed by his Jews. This is more gritty and compelling in a different way. Socha is a hero almost by chance but it is his humanity overcoming his fears that is the true story. He is no mover and shaker. He is a blue collar grunt and he risks the little that he had for the sake of strangers. Filming in the narrow confines of the sewer set does limit the visual scale. It doesn't always provide the best views.

in a long series of war/Shoah movies, it is different. not original but different. because it is a real good story in precise manner form. because you discover, in many moments, than it is a film about yourself. the key - inspired form for basic emotions. the good and bad remains in fragile balance. the tension is well realized. the purpose is not to present a heroes gallery but common fear, hope, expectation, joy, angry, needs and danger pressure. it seems be an every day situation and that is the great virtue. a movie about bravery. in realistic form, convincing at whole, far by war because for many viewers from East the end of story is only another beginning. a film who transforms the artistic message in an experience. because , scene by scene, you are part of story. not fascinated. but seduced by the tragedy of few people for who ordinary limits becomes fiction. a bitter, harsh movie. different side of a tragedy who seems be well - known.

This is a realistic and well made true story of a Polish sewage worker saving Jewish people from the purge of the ghetto in Lvov or Lviv city during WWII. The production and cinematography are good. It doesn't have a cheap feel that some Eastern European productions had in the past.It's a true story so there is no point criticizing the events that took place. It's about saving a smaller group of people than Schindler's List. It's not fair to compare it to the larger scale Holocaust epics. It was more on the scale of "The Pianist".The screenplay is realistic showing both sides of the story. The difficulties and demands on the Polish saviour are quite illuminating.The nudity and love making are a bit excessive but I guess they wanted to show everything.Worth a watch.