The Law and the Fist

The Law and the Fist

1964 · 90 min · ★ 7.0 · War, Drama

At the end of World War Two, Polish people move to the western lands vacated by Germans. But some ruthless profiteers pose as government representatives and intend to make off with loot from a deserted town they took over. One honest man stands up against them because he believes these goods belong to the people.

Directed by Jerzy Hoffman · Written by Józef Hen

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

FILMBOX+ Stream

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 58m together

The Law and the Fist

Colonel Wolodyjowski

Both from Jerzy Hoffman.

More from Jerzy HoffmanSee all →

News Out From The Frying PanNews Out From The Frying Pan · 1960
News Out From The Frying Pan
★ 10.01960
MovieDocumentary
The title pan (‘patelnia’ means pan) is a terrace on Gubałówka, where people can sunbathe even in the middle of winter. ‘Standing in the sunlight, everyone is only what they are’ - convinces the narrator. The sight is breathtaking.
On the Roads of ArmeniaOn the Roads of Armenia · 1957
On the Roads of Armenia
★ 9.01957
MovieDocumentary
A reportage created by a well-known duo of documentary filmmakers - Jerzy Hoffman and Edward Skórzewski. The men and their Polish Film Chronicle crew went to Armenia. Breathtaking, mountainous landscapes and historic cities remembering the first centuries of our era – it makes us aware of the importance of the area.
Are You Amongst Them?Are You Amongst Them? · 1954
Are You Amongst Them?
★ 9.01954
MovieDocumentary
This film criticizes various types of vandalism and behavior that is socially harmful: people spitting on the street, housewives wasting water, teenagers destroying sockets, passengers storming buses without paying attention to others, pedestrians devastating greenery in the city. Are you one of them?
Look Out, Hooligans!Look Out, Hooligans! · 1955
Look Out, Hooligans!
★ 8.01955
MovieDocumentaryDrama
A staged documentary that started the Polish Black Series. The film takes the form of a warning against indifference to the rogue behavior of hooligan groups and their pernicious effect on young people flowing into the cities.
Beautiful StrangerBeautiful Stranger · 1993
Beautiful Stranger
★ 8.01993
MovieMysteryRomance
Strangers on a train. Late in 1916, a brave and idealistic Russian officer in his 20s comes to his superiors' attention when he stands up to Rasputin at a nightclub. He's asked to carry important papers from Petersburg to Stockholm by train in the dead of winter, a dangerous mission. The first-class carriage may be full of spies, and soon after the train embarks, the man in the next compartment searches Obozow's luggage. A beautiful stranger approaches him, a woman older than he, on a concert tour; a game of cat and mouse ensues with patriotism and emotion sometimes on opposite sides. Can Obozow consummate the affair, reach Stockholm, and maintain his ideals?
Ukraine. The Birth of a NationUkraine. The Birth of a Nation · 2008
Ukraine. The Birth of a Nation
★ 8.02008
SeriesDocumentaryWar & Politics
The QuackThe Quack · 1982
The Quack
★ 7.51982
MovieDramaRomance
A famous surgeon is beaten by drunken bullies, loses his memory and cannot recollect who he was before. He gets to a village, lives in a not so well to do family and becomes the Quack - he slowly regains his talent for medicine and saves the lives of several village patients.
The DelugeThe Deluge · 1974
The Deluge
★ 7.21974
MovieHistoryAdventure
During the Swedish invasion of Poland, the brave warrior Andrzej Kmicic, considered a traitor to the nation, fights for a country, redemption and love across the 17th-century Polish territories.
Colonel WolodyjowskiColonel Wolodyjowski · 1969
Colonel Wolodyjowski
★ 7.01969
MovieHistoryAdventure
In 1668 Polish colonel Michał Wołodyjowski, who recently retired to a monastery, is recalled to active duty and takes charge of Poland's eastern frontier defenses against invading Tatar hordes and Ottoman armies.
Havana '61Havana '61 · 1962
Havana '61
★ 7.01962
MovieDocumentary
Havana, 1961. After the success of the Cuban revolution, the city was no longer just a capital of nightlife. The city was changing for the benefit of the local population: it opened beaches, built blocks of flats, guarded the coast.
GaudeamusGaudeamus · 1959
Gaudeamus
★ 7.01959
MovieDocumentary
A report from a student’s festival in Kraków. The history of this event dates back to the 15th century in Poland. Statues and knights at Wawel remain unmoved until they fall into the rhythm of joyful fun.
Visitez ZakopaneVisitez Zakopane · 1963
Visitez Zakopane
★ 7.01963
MovieDocumentary
A documentary impression from the capital of the Tatra Mountains. All the winter attractions of Zakopane rhythmically presented by the camera: sleigh rides, skis, dances, sunbathes, bonfires. Visit Zakopane!
Merry-Go-Round in ŁowiczMerry-Go-Round in Łowicz · 1958
Merry-Go-Round in Łowicz
★ 7.01958
MovieDocumentary
A documentary impression in color showing the attractions of the Łowicz region. With curiosity, the camera captures scenes from a fair and an amusement park. The atmosphere of the place is created by artists wearing national costumes, especially women from Łowicz in colorful skirts.
Wedle wyroków twoich...Wedle wyroków twoich... · 1984
Wedle wyroków twoich...
★ 7.01984
MovieWarDrama
As the Germans invade Poland Jewish Ruth and her mother are trapped by the oncoming Nazis. When they are loaded onto a truck for transportation to a ghetto, Ruth is told by her mother to jump from the truck at the first chance and to make her way to relatives in Warsaw. While the war progresses Ruth tries to survive and grow up.
Picks For TodayPicks For Today · 1959
Picks For Today
★ 7.01959
MovieDocumentary
A look at the horse races at the famous track in Sluzewiec, Warsaw.
With Fire and SwordWith Fire and Sword · 1999
With Fire and Sword
★ 6.91999
MovieWarRomance
In the mid-17th century, Poland was the largest, most democratic, and most tolerant country in Europe. However, a tragic civil war brought about the gradual decline of the once glorious republic... An epic story about the Cossack rebellion against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

More Like This

AtonementAtonement · 2007
Atonement
★ 7.62007
MovieDramaRomance
A young girl irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit.
Triple CrossTriple Cross · 1966
Triple Cross
★ 6.11966
MovieAdventureWar
Safecracker Eddie Chapman is languishing in prison on the island of Jersey when the Nazis arrive. An adept manipulator of situations, Chapman convinces the Germans to use him to spy on the British. And when the would-be traitor arrives home, he convinces the English to use him as a double agent -- in exchange for a full pardon.
Decision Before DawnDecision Before Dawn · 1951
Decision Before Dawn
★ 6.81951
MovieWarAction
WWII is entering its last phase: Germany is in ruins, but does not yield. The US army lacks crucial knowledge about the German units operating on the opposite side of the Rhine, and decides to send two German prisoners to gather information. The scheme is risky: the Gestapo retains a terribly efficient network to identify and capture spies and deserters. Moreover, it is not clear that "Tiger", who does not mind any dirty work as long as the price is right, and war-weary "Happy", who might be easily betrayed by his feelings, are dependable agents. After Tiger and another American agent are successfully infiltrated, Happy is parachuted in Bavaria. His duty: find out the whereabouts of a powerful German armored unit moving towards the western front.
Fort SaganneFort Saganne · 1984
Fort Saganne
★ 6.01984
MovieWarDrama
In 1911, a willful and determined man from peasant stock named Charles Saganne enlists in the military and is assigned to the Sahara Desert under the aristocratic Colonel Dubreuilh.
Is Paris Burning?Is Paris Burning? · 1966
Is Paris Burning?
★ 7.21966
MovieWarDrama
Near the end of World War II, General Dietrich von Choltitz receives orders to burn down Paris if it becomes clear the Allies are going to invade, or if he's unable to maintain control of the city. After much contemplation, Choltitz ignores orders, enraging the Germans and giving hope to various resistance factions that the city will be liberated. Choltitz, alongside Swedish diplomat Raoul Nordling, helps a leader organise his forces.
The Last DaysThe Last Days · 1999
The Last Days
★ 5.51999
MovieDramaRomance
Romance brings two warring families together in this historical drama. As citizens fight for independence in 1810s Lithuania, Tadeusz, the son of a murderer, and Zosia, a young woman, come together for a wedding against a backdrop of changing politics, ancient traditions, and the uncertain future of a country.
Ashes and DiamondsAshes and Diamonds · 1958
Ashes and Diamonds
★ 7.41958
MovieDramaWar
A young academy soldier, Maciek Chelmicki, is ordered to shoot the secretary of the KW PPR. A coincidence causes him to kill someone else. Meeting face to face with his victim, he gets a shock. He faces the necessity of repeating the assassination. He meets Krystyna, a girl working as a barmaid in the restaurant of the "Monopol" hotel. His affection for her makes him even more aware of the senselessness of killing at the end of the war. Loyalty to the oath he took, and thus the obligation to obey the order, tips the scales.
Into the DarknessInto the Darkness · 2020
Into the Darkness
★ 6.02020
MovieDramaWar
Karlskov is a self made, successful owner of a large electronics factory, has a wife and five children. They live the good, privileged upper-class life on Strandvejen north of Copenhagen when the Nazis occupy Denmark in April 1940. Karl struggles to continue production at the factory, but to protect his family and employees he reluctantly begins to produce for the German market. It brings him into a controversial collaboration with the occupying power and causes painful breaks in the family.
Forbidden GamesForbidden Games · 1952
Forbidden Games
★ 7.81952
MovieDramaWar
Orphaned after a Nazi air raid, Paulette, a young Parisian girl, runs into Michel, an older peasant boy, and the two quickly become close. Together, they try to make sense of the chaotic and crumbling world around them, attempting to cope with death as they create a burial ground for Paulette's deceased pet dog. Eventually, however, Paulette's stay with Michel's family is threatened by the harsh realities of wartime.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter