Watch 1939: Battle of Westerplatte

In the movie 1939: Battle of Westerplatte, viewers are transported to the beginning of the Second World War, specifically to the picturesque town of Gdansk, Poland. The plot revolves around the first major battle that took place in the country during the war, with Hitler's forces launching an attack on the Polish garrison stationed at Westerplatte.

The film takes an unflinching view of the horrors of war and the effects it has on both the soldiers on the battlefield and the civilians living in the surrounding area. It follows the soldiers on both sides of the conflict as they prepare for combat, with their fears, doubts, and determination clearly written on their faces.

The movie is led by Michal Zebrowski, who plays Lt. Wojciech Najsarek, the leader of the Polish forces at Westerplatte. Zebrowski portrays Najsarek as a stoic and determined leader, who is dedicated to his duty and to his men. He is constantly worried about the safety of his troops and the lives of the civilians in the nearby town, but his calm and collected demeanor keep his men from panicking in the face of the relentless German onslaught.

Robert Zoledziewski plays the role of Major Sucharski, the commanding officer of the Polish forces in Gdansk. Sucharski is a seasoned soldier, who has seen combat before and understands the gravity of the situation. He is a man of few words but his actions speak volumes, and he is deeply committed to defending his country against the Nazi invaders.

Jan Englert plays the role of Captain Franciszek Dabrowski, Najsarek's second-in-command. He is a seasoned veteran, who has seen his fair share of combat, and his experience proves invaluable in the difficult battle ahead. Dabrowski's calm and collected demeanor is contrasted by his moments of frustration and anger, as he struggles to keep his men in line amidst the chaos of battle.

The film's director, Pawel Chochlew, does an excellent job of bringing the horrors of war to life on the big screen. He successfully captures the sense of dread and impending doom that hung over the town of Gdansk in the days leading up to the battle. He also effectively conveys the brutality of war, with scenes of soldiers being mowed down by machine gun fire, and the graphic depiction of injuries sustained by soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

The battle scenes themselves are well-executed and thrilling, with the film's special effects team doing an excellent job of portraying the chaos and confusion of combat. The sounds of bullets whizzing by and the deafening noise of explosions are expertly matched with the stunning visuals of the battle unfolding before the viewer's eyes.

One of the strengths of the movie is its attention to detail when it comes to historical accuracy. The filmmakers clearly did their research, and it shows in the way they depict the weapons, uniforms, and overall aesthetic of the time period. There are also several nods to real-life events and personalities, such as the appearances of Hans Frank and Adolf Hitler in newsreel footage, which adds an extra layer of authenticity to the film.

Overall, 1939: Battle of Westerplatte is a gripping and thought-provoking war film, which successfully manages to convey the horrors of conflict while also paying homage to the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought and died during the opening days of the Second World War. It is a film that will appeal to fans of the genre, as well as those with an interest in history and military strategy.

1939: Battle of Westerplatte is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.