--- title: "Ashes and Diamonds: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/ashes-and-diamonds/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/ashes-and-diamonds" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Ashes and Diamonds (1958): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 9 reviews: 7 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Ashes and Diamonds, with praise clustering around Zbigniew Cybulski’s performance as Maciek and Wajda’s portrayal of Poland’s postwar uncertainty. The reviews repeatedly value its bleak, disillusioned atmosphere and its attention to political and personal unease. Cybulski gives the historical crisis an intimate focus, while the film’s imagery and smoke-filled social world draw appreciation for making that uncertainty palpable. The emphasis varies between political nuance, emotional force and visual expression. The reservations concern how insistently the film makes its points. Variety finds the expressionistic style somewhat overdone, while Empire admires the film despite its heavy symbolism. The AV Club finds it compelling but less immediate than Kanal. These are qualifications within favourable assessments rather than outright dissent. The available verdicts range from measured approval to strong enthusiasm; two entries have no readable review text, so their specific reservations cannot be established. ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 February 2026. Bradshaw presents the film as a masterful, bleak portrait of Poland’s postwar crisis of identity. He particularly praises its disillusioned atmosphere and the symbolic power of Maciek’s dark glasses. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/feb/03/ashes-and-diamonds-review-andrzej-wajda-bleak-post-second-world-war-drama) ## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole Rating 4/5. 23 August 2021. Cole regards the film as a powerful, bleak portrait of Poland’s postwar uncertainty, and praises Criterion’s substantial upgrade. He singles out the restoration’s sharp, detailed cinematography and improved hotel scenes. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/ashes-and-diamonds-blu-ray-review-andrzej-wajda-criterion/) ## Empire — David Parkinson Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 24 March 2006. Parkinson regards the film as an intimate, affecting work despite its heavy symbolism. He singles out Zbigniew Cybulski’s remarkable performance as Maciek. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/ashes-diamonds-review/) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 9 December 2003. Tobias finds Ashes and Diamonds politically nuanced and compelling, despite judging it less immediate than Kanal. He singles out Zbigniew Cybulski’s performance and the ironic fireworks-set climax for praise. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/ashes-and-diamonds-dvd-1798199183) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 March 2013. Lane presents the film as an appreciative, wistful blend of farce and historical unease. He singles out Wajda’s distinctive mood and the company’s smoke-filled, booze-soaked world. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/03/18/red-shift) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1957. Variety finds the film an above-average drama, praising its direction, performances and insight into a changing Poland. It particularly singles out Zbigniew Cybulski’s performance, while faulting the expressionistic style as somewhat overdone. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1957/film/reviews/ashes-and-diamonds-1200419175/) ## The New York Times — Bosley Crowther Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 30 May 1961. The page is inaccessible, so its verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint is available in the supplied text. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1961/05/30/archives/screen-chaos-in-polandandrzej-wajdas-ashes-and-diamonds-opens.html) ## Time Out — DT Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The critic’s verdict is unavailable because the review text could not be read. The accessible page provides no specific praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/ashes-and-diamonds) ## Eye for Film — Jeff Robinson Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 May 2007. Robinson calls the film a profound work of cinematic art and a must-have for European cinema connoisseurs. He particularly praises its performances and Wajda’s lyrical portrayal of Poland’s suffering. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/ashes-and-diamonds-film-review-by-jeff-robinson) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/ashes-and-diamonds.md