This finely acted, detailed and probing film centers around the assassination of the first elected President of the Republic of Poland in 1922. During the country's period of interwar rebirth, Professor Gabriel Narutowicz (Zdzislaw Mrozewski) is elected president despite extensive turmoil between the nationalists and the minorities. Five days later, the historic leader is assassinated by a fanatic at the opening of an art exhibit. "An historical document coming to life" (Variety), Smierc Prezydenta is a vivid, psychoanalytical look at political assassins and their makeup. In Polish with English subtitles.

Jerzy Kawalerowicz---Poland---1978---145 mins.