Why Martin Scorsese considers this 1959 Polish thriller a masterpiece of world cinema
In short: In Jerzy Kawalerowicz’s 1959 film Night Train, two strangers are forced to share a sleeping compartment on a journey to the Baltic Sea. As rumors of a murderer on board spread, the tension escalates. This atmospheric thriller remains a landmark of Polish cinema, celebrated for its psychological depth and suspense.
The narrative centers on Jerzy and Marta, two individuals who find themselves in an awkward predicament when they discover they have both been issued tickets for the same two-bed sleeping chamber. Despite their initial reluctance, they agree to share the space. The situation is further complicated by the presence of Staszek, Marta’s former lover, who refuses to accept the end of their brief affair and continues to pursue her throughout the journey.
The film’s tension is masterfully heightened by an external threat: police officers board the train searching for a fugitive murderer. As the authorities move through the carriages, the passengers become increasingly paranoid. Rumors circulate among the travelers, including a man suffering from insomnia and a passenger flirting with a lawyer’s wife, eventually casting suspicion on the main characters. The confined setting of the train serves as a pressure cooker, forcing the protagonists to confront their personal anxieties under the scrutiny of their fellow passengers.
Beyond its plot, the film is a technical and artistic achievement. Lucyna Winnicka, who played Marta, received the Best Foreign Actress award at the 1959 Venice Film Festival. The film also earned the Georges Méliès award. Its legacy was cemented in 2013 when Martin Scorsese included it in his curated festival, Martin Scorsese Presents: Masterpieces of Polish Cinema. This selection toured the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, showcasing the film alongside other Polish classics like Ashes and Diamonds and Knife in the Water, confirming its status as a vital piece of international film history.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Night Train (1959 film)
- Also: Night Train
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