GREAT RUN [1981]
year:
- 1981
release date:
- grudzień 1987
runtime:
- 99 min
directed by:
- Jerzy Domaradzki
written by:
- Feliks Falk
director of photography:
- Ryszard Lenczewski
cast:
- Tadeusz Bradecki [Stefan Budny], Jarosław Kopaczewski [Radek Stolar], Leon Niemczyk [president, organiser of the run], Krzysztof Pieczyński [Wrzesień], Tadeusz Chudecki [Janek Druciarek], Tomasz Dedek [Kazimierz Sosna], Cezary Harasimowicz [Fastyn, Wrzesień’s subordinate], Ryszard Jabłoński [Józek Butrym], Edward Żentara [Romek Martyniuk], Piotr Dejmek [Wrzesień’s boss], Magdalena Jarosz [Sławka, Stefan’s sister]
edited by:
- Mirosława Garlicka
music by:
- Jerzy Matula
production design:
- Tadeusz Kosarewicz
produced by:
- Zespół Filmowy „X”
executive producer:
- Edward Kłosowicz
awards:
-
• IFF Moscow (Soviet Union) 1987: Soviet Filmmakers' Association Award for Jerzy Domaradzki
• Polish Feature Film Festival Gdańsk 1986: award for best direction of a TV film and best male performance in a leading role for Krzysztof Pieczyński
• World Film Festival in Montreal (Canada) 1987: FIPRESCI Award for Jerzy Domaradzki
• Warsaw Mermaid 1987 for Jerzy Domaradzki
• Award of the Chairman of the Committee for Radio and Television in 1988 for Jerzy Domaradzki
About the film
The film, delayed by the censor for five years, addresses the great manipulation − changing facts for the purposes of ad hoc policies and propaganda façade. The festive awards conceal lies, falsehoods and wickedness.
Spring 1952. Stefan Budny and Radek Stolar meet on a train carrying young labour leaders, participants in the Peace Run. Upon learning that the grand prize for the winner is to be a Java motorcycle, Radek decides to try his luck. He tells the organisers that he is an activist in the Social Youth Union. Wrzesień, the political head of the event, decides to include him in the starting list. Stefan dreams of winning the race, so that at the finish line he can hand Bierut a letter asking for help for his unjustly accused father. Already during the first stage, it turns out that the distance is too difficult for most participants. They are not prepared for such a great effort. The leader of the State Farm does not finish the race. Out of shame, he tries to commit suicide. Wrzesień hides this fact, for it is only the propaganda value of the event that counts for him. The winner of the first stage is a shipyard worker − Kazimierz Sosna. Radek and Stefan finish the stage utterly exhausted. To get rid of their most dangerous rival, Radek steals Sosna’s orthopaedic sneakers. The second stage begins. Sosna breaks down and gives up. Radek is at the head of the run. Fatigue and heat eliminate most of the participants. Wrzesień orders that the physically weaker runners are brought to the finish in cars.
Radek and Stefan finish the stage at the front. Stefan feels that he will not be able to hand the letter to Bierut. He tells his sister about this. Radek overhears their conversation. The third stage starts. Radek is getting closer to his coveted motorcycle. Wrzesień accidentally discovers Stefan's intentions. He cannot allow him to win. On the last lap, Radek suffers an injury and Stefan is first over the finish line.
In the locker room, it turns out that Radek deliberately allowed his friend to win to make it possible for him to hand over the letter. The award ceremony begins, but the locker room door is closed. When Stefan finally manages to get out and tries to get to the podium, he sees from a distance that another participant in the run has received the first prize.
Waldemar Piątek, Leksykon polskich filmów fabularnych, Warszawa 1996
