Pasażerka(film)

The impressive movies

Released 1963

Directed by Andrezej Munk

Starring Alessandra Śląska

Anna Ciepielewska



I happened to find this film on a VHS tape that was sold at the store about 28 years ago.

The movie begins in 1960, fifteen years after the end of World War II. During a luxury ship trip with her husband, the heroine Liza (Alessandra Śląska), a former SS officer, sees a female passenger who looks very much like an inmate from the camp, Marta (Anna Ciepielewska), who was killed because of cooperating in an insurrection at the camp.

Liza was upset because she was afraid of her past criminal record being revealed by Marta. Then Liza’s memory started. I feel Lisa’s past environment. She looks like an ordinary good woman, not a war criminal. I think Liza choosing duty as an SS officer was, at the time, considered good work for the German people.

The director Munk was killed by a car accident while shooting this movie. Another of his fellows completed the film. So, pictures were inserted in places instead of motion pictures.

The story goes with Liza’s narrative. She saw Marta at the concentration camp and tried to take care of her.

But in her inner monologue, Liza thought to help Marta; however, she used her to advance her promotion. And Marta's attitude towards other SS officers, including Liza, was always indifferent and brave, which always made Liza dissatisfied with her.

It was impressive how the story progressed along with the psychology of the people involved in the war crime.
In the end, Marta passed by Liza at the exit of the ship; she ignored Liza as she saw her as a complete stranger.
I think it was slight mercy to Liza from Marta. Otherwise, the passenger was not Marta.
It emphasizes the lasting impact of trauma and the long regret and fear to rest of Liza's life...