AllMovie

Based on the 1969 novel by Jerzy Putrament, Boldyn is about a General of that name who heads some of the Polish partisan forces in WW II. The more time that Boldyn spends leading his men, the more arrogant and self-aggrandizing he becomes -- a prime example of how power corrupts, and how "absolute power corrupts absolutely." In the end, Boldyn almost destroys his men and his cause by his egomaniacal behavior. Debate surged over this character in the novel -- was he a symbol of the abuse of power? -- or of Stalin? -- or of the worst aspects of the partisan movement? Viewers will have to draw their own conclusions at the end of this psychological study of misguided leadership.