Westerplatte (film)

Westerplatte refers to several films depicting the Battle of Westerplatte, one of the first battles of World War II, where a small garrison of Polish soldiers defended the Westerplatte peninsula near Gdańsk (Danzig) against overwhelming German forces in September 1939. The most notable films with this title include:

• Westerplatte (1967 film): A Polish war film directed by Stanisław Różewicz. It is one of the most well-known and critically acclaimed cinematic depictions of the battle. The film focuses on the psychological tensions and leadership conflicts within the Polish garrison during the siege, particularly the strained relationship between Major Henryk Sucharski (the commander) and Captain Franciszek Dąbrowski (his deputy).

• Westerplatte (2013 film) / Tajemnica Westerplatte (The Secret of Westerplatte): A Polish war drama directed by Paweł Chochlew. This film offers a more modern and psychologically complex portrayal of the events, delving further into the personal lives and motivations of the soldiers, as well as exploring controversial aspects of the command decisions made during the battle. The title "Tajemnica Westerplatte" translates to "The Secret of Westerplatte," which alludes to the rumored psychological breakdown of Major Sucharski during the battle and the attempts to maintain the garrison's morale. This film aims to be a more historically accurate and nuanced representation of the events, sparking debate upon its release regarding its interpretation of historical figures.