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The Real End of the Great War

Name: The Real End of the Great War
Director: Jerzy Kawalerowicz
Released: 1957
Duration: 85 min

Representation Score

7.4/10

Good

1957

Director

Jerzy Kawalerowicz

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Jerzy Kawalerowicz presents a psychological drama that avoids the sentimental pitfalls of wartime melodrama. By focusing on the raw, uncomfortable truths of post-war survival and the erosion of family stability, the film offers a realistic portrayal of the period. The film excels by avoiding idealized depictions of soldiers and grieving wives. Instead, it delves into the visceral tension between survivors trying to move forward and the haunting remnants of a shattered past. However, the film’s narrow demographic focus limits its broader appeal. While it provides a deep look at trauma, it lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities and diverse racial backgrounds.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Real End of the Great War have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships. The focus is on heterosexual relationships and does not explore any non-heterosexual identities.

How does The Real End of the Great War portray gender?

Good

Róża transitions from a hopeful wife to a pragmatic and eventually disillusioned woman. She actively rebuilds her life during the war, challenging traditional nurturing female roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Real End of the Great War?

Limited

The film reflects the demographics of 1957 Poland, focusing on the central characters rather than a diverse cast. It addresses the horrors of concentration camps but does not highlight a range of ethnic backgrounds.

How does The Real End of the Great War represent religion and culture?

Good

The film avoids romanticized or patriotic views of war. It prioritizes existential themes by showing the breakdown of traditional social structures and the marital unit.

Does The Real End of the Great War include disability representation?

Good

Juliusz is shown as physically disabled and tormented by trauma. The film examines how disability affects interpersonal relationships and daily life, moving beyond simple tragedy to a deeper understanding.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by giving the female protagonist a significant role in driving the story.
Offers a nuanced, non-romanticized depiction of physical and psychological disability.
Explores the complexities of wartime trauma through existential themes rather than sentimental clichés.

Limited or Absent

Does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships.
The cast reflects a narrow demographic, lacking in racial and ethnic diversity.
The narrative is centered on a specific European context, limiting its broader relevance.

Official Synopsis

Róża marries a promising young architect, Juliusz. Then World War II breaks out and within weeks Juliusz is deported to a concentration camp. Months, and then years go by, until Róża abandons any hope that her husband might return. She meets and falls in love with another man, and tries to put her life back together, but one day, unexpectedly, Juliusz does return - a shattered, mere ghost of his former self, physically crippled and tormented by memories of the camps. First out of duty, then out of pity, Róża starts to care for him, but her feelings slowly are transformed into a kind of revulsion

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