Forbidden Songs

^director Leonard Buczkowski
^screenplay Ludwik Starski
^{director of photography} Adolf Forbert
^music ARRANGED BY Roman Palester
^with Danuta Szaflarska, Jerzy Duszyński, Jan Świderski, Janina Ordężanka, Jan Kurnakowicz, Stanisław Łapiński, Zofia Jamry, Hanka Bielicka, Zofia Mrozowska, Alina Janowska

ZBIGNIEW KWAPISIEWICZ, LUBLIN, PEOWIAKÓW 4-16, FROM THE SURVEY: WHY DID YOU CRY WHILE WATCHING ‘FORBIDDEN SONGS?’ [WYPOWIEDŹ W ANKIECIE: DLACZEGO PŁAKAŁEŚ NA ‘ZAKAZANYCH PIOSENKACH’?], ‘WIECZÓR WARSZAWY’, 16 FEB 1947

Maybe the director was too lenient in his picture of the Nazi occupation, but then it is probably good that the German characters did not resemble their prototypes (…) All those atrocities should not be reconstructed in full detail on screen because they appeal to low instincts. The film, in its content is gentle, interesting and moving. The cinemas were crowded. I must admit I sobbed a little. I just could not help it at some scenes.

FORBIDDEN SONGS [ZAKAZANE PIOSENKI], ‘EKSPRES WIECZORNY’, 19 JAN 1947

Since ‘Young Forest’ no Polish film has avoided cliché so successfully. It faithfully renders the true atmosphere of Warsaw, from the trams to the uprising scenes. It is so convincing that one does not mind the cardboard decor. The characters are full-blooded and alive. Szaflarska and Duszyński make wonderful debuts here. They are great in their acting and so unlike the sweet romantic leads from before the war.