Katyn
User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16

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  1. Masoud1986
    Apr 17, 2013
    8
    Superb and powerful. A good one from Andrzej Wajda. Story, cinematography, directing and others are really exceptional. For a person who did not know anything about Katyn, it was a good documentary-like too.
  2. HankChinaski
    Oct 9, 2011
    8
    I was afraid the film would be melodramatic and oozing with patriotism - but this is still a Wajda film. The exemplary life stories entangled in this gruesome part of history are written convincingly and enthrallingly written. The directing, cinematography etc. is superb, as one has come to expect from Wajda. On top of it, the Polish actors (and especially actresses!) have done a great job as well.… Expand
  3. JQ
    Jan 18, 2010
    10
    The harrowing final scene of the film vividly depicts the pure evil that was Communism.
  4. PaulM
    Aug 24, 2009
    2
    An extremely disappointing film. The opening sequence indicated that I was in for a treat but within a few minutes I realised it was a bad film. Lack of continuity in story line, lacking in emotion, a very boring film. I've seen better treatment of this awful event on TV.
  5. DomoR.
    Aug 22, 2009
    10
    The story of a lie perpetuated by nations upon nations and more, a nation upon itself. Although the events happened 69 years ago, it is nonetheless a timely lesson for us now. Perhaps one day the US will have director like Wajda turn his fine eye to the lies we've told and are still telling to ourselves.
  6. JayH
    Aug 9, 2009
    8
    Excellent story, exceptional cinematography and a keen eye for period detail make this a remarkable film.The story is very moving, disturbing as well. The cast is terrific and Andrzej Wajda's direction is superb. Fine art direction and costumes.
  7. FrankG.
    Aug 1, 2009
    10
    Fabulous movie. Stupendous. I wish it was shown in all schools. Children must learn about the crimes of communism.
  8. Ann
    Feb 25, 2009
    9
    This powerful movie tells the whole truth about what really happened to the Polish officers in the Katyn forest. The director, Andrzej Wajda, once again proves his unique directing skills and he makes this painful, edgy drama with a great sense of understanding. The violence in the movie is not exaggerated. However, the most moving thing about the film is its psychological aspect - the pain of officer's families, patiently and hopefully waiting for them to come back home.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Joshua Katzman
    70
    Andrzej Wajda has spent much of his long career dramatizing major events in Polish history, and this poignant feature depicts the circumstances surrounding the Soviet Union's massacre of thousands of Polish officers in the spring of 1940.
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  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    80
    The period sets, costumes and cinematography all superbly recreate the brutal era, grand illusions and everyday suffering of the Poles under both the Nazis and the Soviets.
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Leslie Felperin
    90
    This plays almost like an academic master class, meticulously exploring the event's ramifications but only catching full fire at the end.
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