Angry Harvest
Angry Harvest

Movie spotlight

Angry Harvest

1985
Movie
101 min
German

In the winter of 1942-43, a Jewish family leaps from a train going through Silesia. They are separated in the woods, and Leon, a local peasant who's now a farmer of some wealth, discovers the woman, Rosa, and hides her in his cellar. Leon's a middle-aged Catholic bachelor, tormented by his sexual drive. He doesn't tell Rosa he's seen signs her husband is alive, and he begs her to love him. Rosa offers herself to Leon if he'll help a local Jew in hiding who needs money. Leon pays, and love between Rosa and him does develop, but then Leon's peasant subservience and his limited empathy lead to tragedy. At the war's end, a ray of sunshine comes from an unexpected place.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Director: Krzysztof ZanussiGenres: Drama, War

Plot Summary

During the final days of World War II, a young Polish woman named Clara is hiding from the Nazis in a rural area. She is taken in by a farmer and his wife, but her presence creates tension and suspicion within the household. As the war intensifies, Clara must confront her fears and make difficult choices to survive.

Critical Reception

Angry Harvest received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised its atmospheric tension and performances, though some found the pacing uneven. Audiences generally appreciated the film's historical drama and emotional depth.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its somber wartime atmosphere and unsettling portrayal of civilian life.

  • Noted for strong performances, particularly from the lead actress.

  • Some found the narrative development to be slow in parts.

Google audience: Audience reception data for this film is not widely available on Google.

Fun Fact

The film was shot in Poland and is notable for its depiction of the moral complexities faced by ordinary people during wartime.

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