As veterans of Ashes and Diamonds both of us, Jerzy Wojcik and myself, realized the power of narrative shortcuts and the impact of symbolism on the screen. We wanted to continue in that direction. Brandys' novel, however, contradicted and desperately resisted our concepts. The audience is bored, preferring any foreign-made trash to an ambitious Polish film. In Wajda's world everything is upsidedown, just like the figure of Christ in Ashes and Diamonds .
Reality is but a set decoration.
Wajda is only interested in photogenic faces, objects, facts and problems. Which he undoubtedly has. Unfortunately, he also lacks taste and intellect to match it. The critics of Samson have not overstrained their intellectual powers. 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.