This Polish film was nominated for best foreign picture in 2008 and rightfully so. The year was 1939 and a group of Polish military officers were captured and imprisoned by Soviet troops, on the border of Poland. Based on true events, this film delves into the lives of those officers, their family members left behind and the steps that lead up to their deaths. This was a powerful movie of an event unfamiliar to me. From the moment the movie started, I was completely caught up in the story and at times, had to remind myself to breathe as the tension of this horrific period of time was depicted before my eyes. I believe history buffs and non-history buffs would appreciate this movie. As a side note: the director was only 13 when his father was part of this captured military group. His remains were never found. Polish with English subtitles.

3 1/3 stars — DVD